Roberto Clemente Monument Fundraising

One can say Roberto Clemente has left his mark in Newark - with an elementary school and little league named after him, but there will be one more thing, a Roberto Clemente bronze statue. The bronze statue is a replica of the Clemente statue outside of PNC Park in Pittsburgh that depicts Roberto Clemente completing a swing at the plate. It is hoping to find home at the corner of Bloomfield and Lake Streets in Branch Brook Park.

The Roberto Clemente Monument is a project taken on by Luis Lopez. Mr. Lopez has dedicated his professional career to educating Newark students and helping them realize their full potential. Lopez has over 30 years of experience as an educator, administrator and community activist. In 1978, while teaching at the Roberto Clemente Elementary School, he founded a baseball league named after Roberto Clemente, which is the largest little league program in New Jersey.

Today, the county executive, Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr vouched he would help with funding. Lopez and his committee are hoping to raise an additional $25,000 to make sure the statue comes to fruition in the spring. If you'd like to donate - they are selling bricks that will be engraved and surround the base of the statue. Bricks range from $200 to $1500 or more - download your form and donate today.

They are also sponsoring a Dinner/Dance next Friday, October 28th at Mediterranean Manor - $100 donation includes buffet, beer/wine, live music and DJ. If you're interested in buying tickets please contact Luis Lopez at 973-733-5880.

The goal is to raise the funds by end of the year so the statue can be raised by April 2012. 2012 will mark the 40th anniversary of Roberto Clemente's death - he was killed in a plane crash as he attempted to deliver food and medical supplies to Nicaragua after a devastating earthquake. Roberto Clement paved the way and set the highest standard for future Latino players.