Building Bridges
Community Weekend
Creating Access, Building Unity, Changing The Game.
HERO SECTION
Building Bridges Community Weekend
Working with our partners to bring together and unite communities from all walks of life through conversation, connection, and competition.
Play. Peace. Prosperity. Progress.
ABOUT BUILDING BRIDGES
Building Bridges Community Weekend is a two-day community experience designed to strengthen relationships, build trust, and create lasting connections between youth, families, community leaders, and law enforcement.
Through shared meals, open dialogue, and youth-centered programming, this weekend creates space for empathy, understanding, and unity.
FRIDAY | HEY, BLUE! PLATE SPECIAL – COMMUNITY DINNER
Hey, Blue! Plate Special brings officers and community members together to share meals and build trust through empathy and meaningful conversations.
This program focuses on continuous connection—not one-time events.
Community Dinner
Cross-Cultural Exchange
Ongoing Relationship Building
Friday, July 31, 2026
Led by Hey, Blue!
​
SATURDAY | 3-ON-3 BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
Creating Access. Building Unity. Changing The Game.
Date: August 1, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Harambee Park – 930 Blue Hill Ave, Boston, MA
Youth Cost: FREE
Registration Deadline: July 30, 2026
Featured Award: Richard C. Landis Community Champion Award
ABOUT THE TOURNAMENT
The Play4Peace 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament unites athletes, families, community organizations, and law enforcement in a positive, competitive environment.
There is no cost for youth participation.
WHY BUILDING BRIDGES MATTERS
Builds Unity
Empowers Youth
Strengthens Relationships
Provides Opportunity
Celebrates Community Leadership
TOURNAMENT FORMAT
Fast-paced 3-on-3 half-court games
Round-robin play followed by playoffs
Certified referees
Teams of 3–5 players
Divisions:
10U (Co-Ed)
12U Boys & Girls
15U Boys & Girls
18U Boys & Girls
High School Boys & Girls
OFF-THE-COURT EXPERIENCES
Unity Zone
Wellness Resources
Music & Announcements
Vendors & Food
Kids Zone
​
​
​
The Richard C. Landis Community Champion For Peace Award
Richard Landis was born in 1942 and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was Vietnam War veteran and a Philadelphia Police Officer. During his service as a police officer in the bomb squad, he gained a loyal following- the neighborhood children in Philadelphia. Kids would flock towards his squad car every time they saw it approach our street. Although he juggled a full-time job as a Philadelphia Police Officer, a reservist in the Air Force, and a father to four children, Uncle Rich always found time to play games with the children in the neighborhood. He was everyone’s Uncle Rich.
Uncle Rich had many talents. He spoke multiple languages and could pick up any instrument and play it. He used these talents to make friends all over the world. He died of lymphoma in November of 1991, which was a result of his exposure to Agent Orange. The loss was felt throughout the neighborhood. No longer would we see him marching down the street with a band of children following him on bikes and no longer would we hear his silly songs or play duets with him on the piano.
What was left behind was his legacy, a legacy of kindness, of service to the community, and of love for children. He will be remembered by many as the man in uniform with his own fan club, the “Uncle Richie Fan Club” and the impromptu parades he led as children followed him down the streets.
Uncle Rich embodies the spirit of Play4Peace. He broke down barriers when he protested the lack of inclusion at his high school, when he traveled to foreign lands, he learned the languages and ate the local foods, and he took the time to build relationships between the Police Force and the community.
Please join me in celebrating his memory by donating towards court sponsorship in his name. I think he would have loved this idea.
Community Champion Recipients
Meet Our Partners
_edited.png)