Editor, Gazette-Journal:

This letter is to publicly thank Sheriff Darrell Warren and Mr. Gary Rippel for investing in Gloucester’s youth.

I recently had the opportunity to spend a week chaperoning a group from the Boys and Girls Clubs nationwide for the Cal Ripken Experience in Maryland, where at-risk youth learn strong character and leadership lessons through baseball. I witnessed my special group flourish in their decision making skills, perseverance, kindness, encouragement and good sportsmanship. It is amazing how well children grow when strong, committed adults are 100 percent present in a mentoring relationship.

I am grateful that Sheriff Warren and Gary Rippel recognize this and live it out on a daily basis. Sheriff Warren is a longstanding board member of the Gloucester Boys and Girls Club (that Gary Rippel manages), and prioritizes strong mentoring relationships and protection by staffing the club and Gloucester schools with deputies through the DARE program. Lon...