About H.A.D.'s Officers

Help Against Drugs of N.Y.C., Inc. (H.A.D.) is a non-profit 503(c) tax exempt organization that was founded by Abbey H. Muneer approximately fourteen years ago. The purpose of the organization is to combat drugs through sports--to get young people involved in sports and activities in an effort to keep them from negative thinking. Abbey H. Muneer is A former English Boxing Champion, born in Sheffield, England, of Pakistani descent. Mr. Muneer is the "Greatest Indian/Pakistani Boxer in the World", and when he came to New York, he wanted to continue professional boxing, but when he saw children on the lower east side of Manhattan using drugs, he decided he would rather help these children than pursue his dream. Mr. Muneer then started Help Against Drugs Organization of N.Y.C., Inc. For the past fourteen years, Help Against Drugs of N.Y.C., Inc. worked in getting youths from all walks of life involved in sports, teaching them how to live clean lives through sports. We have distributed food, clothing and furniture to the homeless through churches, Penn Station, The Port Authority and Grand Central Station. Help Against Drugs Organization of N.Y.C., Inc. has helped over 20,000 troubled youths and homeless people since it was founded fourteen years ago.

H.A.D. Organization has promoted boxing, long distance runs, video knockout, tournaments, and sports clinics throughout the tri-state area as well as fashion and entertainment shows. Approximately five years ago, H.A.D. has started a referral service for people who need help and professional counseling for drugs, AIDS, alcohol, gambling and domestic violence.

Last year on April 21st, 2001, H.A.D. Organization of N.Y.C., Inc. opened its office in Jackson Heights, Queens, NY. "Since opening the new office, we can house many of these different projects ourselves", Muneer said. "For example, since we can accommodate up to 30 people in the office, we can now hold counseling classes for youths, modeling training, dance lessons, and domestic violence classes. There is also plenty of room for packing food into totebags for homeless and needy family presentations, which we distribute every month to the homeless families at Grand Central Station, Penn Station, and The Port Authority Bus Terminal. H.A.D. does not receive federal, city or state funding. The members of H.A.D. are volunteers--community minded people who devote their time to help out with H.A.D.'s humanitarian causes. World famous celebrities from the sports and entertainment worlds have also helped out by donating their time or services--celebrities such as Mohammad Ali donated autographed boxing gloves to raise the funds for H.A.D. Organization. Seventy five percent of the money H.A.D. receives and raises through its charity fundraiser shows goes directly to feed the homeless. Unlike many organizations, H.A.D. believes in giving three quarters of the proceeds to helping the homeless.

We are presently looking for any corporations, businesses, or individuals who would be interested in contributing to our organization. If anyone is interested in volunteering or learning more about our organization, please feel free to telephone us at 718-507-7616 or email us at humanitarians@hadofnyc.org.

Bios of our Officers

Abbey Muneer, Founder
"I will continue to help the people who need my help with the will of God."
Abbey has founded the H.A.D. Organization of N.Y.C., Inc. in 1989, the main purpose for which to get young kids, as well as adults, involved in a variety of sporting activities, thus steering them away from drugs. Abbey is a former English boxing champion from England, who also holds the title "Greatest Indian/Pakistani Boxer in the World", which he won in England in 1986. To date, H.A.D. has helped almost 20,000 youngsters and homeless families, and has referred many people to support groups. Betty Coker, President

"I feel very honored to work with H.A.D. and to have been the president for the past 8 years because I believe in the work they are doing for the community."

Betty has been president of H.A.D. for the past 10 years. She worked as a social worker for the City of New York for the past 35 years, and is now retired. Betty also has her own line of fashion apparel through her company, "Bee Cee Designs, Inc.", which she had founded. Betty enjoys coordinating H.A.D. fashion shows and working with index.html, models, entertainers and people associated with the fashion industry.

Emile Griffith, Vice President
"I feel very honored to be a part of the H.A.D. Organization.."
When he was a thirteen, Griffith's family moved to New York City, and he got a job in a hat factory three years later. In his prime, Griffith was 5-foot-7 1/2 and weighed 155 pounds, but had a 26-inch waist. His physique caught the eye of fight manager Howard Albert, who brought in trainer Gil Clancy to work with Griffith.

After two successful years as an amateur, Griffith had his first professional fight, a 4-round victory, on June 2, 1958. He won 21 of his next 23 bouts before being matched against Benny "Kid" Paret for the welterweight title at Miami Beach on April 1, 1961. Griffith won with a knockout in the 13th round

He lost the title to Paret in a controversial 15-round split decision on September 30. Their third fight took place on March 24, 1962, in New York. Griffith trapped Paret against the ropes in the 12th round and pummelled him with a long series of punches. Paret went into a coma and died a week later.

Griffith lost the title again, to Luis Rodriguez, on March 21, 1963, and regained it on June 8. He tried to move up to the American middleweight championship against Don Fullmer on August 20, 1965, but lost a 12-round decision.

Nevertheless, Griffith fought for the world middleweight title on April 25, 1966, against Dick Tiger, and he won a 15-round decision, becoming the third fighter to hold both the welterweight and middleweight championships.

Stephen K. Weber, Secretary/Nutritionist
" I have always wanted to help others improve the quality of their health and their lifestyles, thus empowering them. Please feel free to call or e-mail me if you feel I may be of service to you."
Steve has been the Secretary of H.A.D. for almost three years now.. He currently lives in Fresh Meadows, Queens. In addition to his role as Secretary of H.A.D., Steve is also the force behind the layout of the H.A.D. newsletter, and has clearly demonstrated his diligence in this capacity. Steve’s computer talents, particularly in the area of layout, design and illustration, are predominantly self-taught; he loves working with computers. Steve’s other interest is in nutrition.

About the Founder (interview with Abbey Muneer)

S.W.: What made you select this organization, Help Against Drugs Organization of N.Y.C., Inc.?
A.M.: I was born in England, where-in during my youth I became involved in sports. After moving to New York City fifteen (15) years ago, I noticed that many of the young people here were involved with drugs or substance abuse. My uncle introduced me to Izzy Zerling, a director of a youth center on the lower eastside for many years. He trained me in providing youth activities, that involved sports, organizing events and promoting fundraiser shows. After two years of working with this dedicated and humanitarian Izzy Zerling, I saw a need for other youth activities and community services, such as feeding the homeless, fashion, entertainment. Thus, in 1990, with much trepidation and enthusiasm, myself, along with the help of Betty Coker, our president, and Jose Quinonez, (a.k.a. JR), our treasurer, and many others, founded H.A.D. Organization of N.Y.C., Inc.

S.W.: Why did you choose "Sports vs. Drugs" as your motto and mission?
A.M.: I started boxing in England at the age of eleven (11) years, and was a successful champion by the age of fourteen (14). At age eighteen (18), I went on to win the boxing title as the Greatest Indian/Pakastani Fighter in the World. I also participated in other sports, such as martial arts, long distance runs, cricket, and an English sport known as Badmington. I saw that sports really build your self esteem, discipline, and delay gratification. These are the main reasons I chose "Sports vs. Drugs."

S.W.: Which celebrities have volunteered their time and services to H.A.D. Organization of N.Y.C. Inc?
A.M.: Firstly, Muhammad Ali has autographed boxing gloves for H.A.D.. We've have Carlos Ortiz, the Lightweight Boxing and Junior Welterweight World Boxing Champion and Hall of Famer as an Honorary Lifetime Member. We also have Teddy Atlas, the former trainer of "Iron Mike Tyson", and "Mr. T, Junior", World Midget Wrestling Champion and movie star. Other celebrities include Professor Ernest Hyman, 10th Degree Marital Arts Master, Vito Anterfermo, former World Middleweight Boxing Champion; Mr. Anterfermo has now turned actor, and has appeared in blockbuster movies, such as The Godfather III, which was directed by Francis Ford-Copolla, and has also appeared both On-Broadway and Off-Broadway productions such as"Tina's Wedding' and "Married to the Mob. "Still other celebrities include "Salome", World Acclaimed Middle Eastern Belly Dancer from the entertainment and fashion fields, John Naftali, world famous, world renowned fashion designer for the Panzai Corporation, who designs clothes for many celebrities and royalty around the world, Jenny J., hat designer, who is the official hat providor for H.A.D. and Murray McKay, International Singing Star and back-up singer for Michael Bolton.

S.W.: Who provides the funding for Help Against Drugs Organization of N.Y.C., Inc.?
A.M.: Help Against Drugs Organzation of N.Y.C., Inc. has not received any funding from Federal, State or City revenues. Survival of H.A.D. has been exclusively through fashion shows and music production, sports rallies, membership donations and merchandise sales.

S.W.: Is there anything else you would like to mention about yourself, H.A.D., or your future goals?
A.M.: Since, to date, we haven't received any funding through Federal, State or City revenues, we take pride in ourselves (H.A.D.) that this website will serve to call out to other community based organization, programs and other people in general, and let them know about the work we are doing, and about what we've accomplished Since, to date, we haven't received any funding through Federal, State or City revenues, we take pride in ourselves (H.A.D.) that this website will serve to call out to other community based organization, programs and other people in general, and let hem know about the workt we are doing, and about what we've e over the past ten (10) years. We need to keep our program alive. However, we can only do this with the help of our online viewers, through your purchase of H.A.D. merchandise and your generous donations. One of H.A.D.'s goals for the near future is to purchase a building for the purpose of housing all of its activities and projects. However, in order for this goal to be accomplished, we must raise the required funds. We therefore ask that if there are any corporations or donors who would be interested in helping H.A.D. to bring this purchase to fruition, please notify us via email, and we will send you a proposal which outlines our goals and the expenses involved with the purchase of this building. We feel that if we can save one life through our program, we feel good deep down in our hearts. over the past ten (10) years.

We need to keep our program alive. However, we can only do this with the help of our online viewers, through your purchase of H.A.D. merchandise and your generous donations.

One of H.A.D.'s goals for the near future is to purchase a building for the purpose of housing all of its activities and projects. However, in order for this goal to be accomplished, we must raise the required funds. We therefore ask that if there are any corporations or donors who would be interested in helping H.A.D. to bring this purchase to fruition, please notify us via email, and we will send you a proposal which outlines our goals and the expenses involved with the purchase of this building. We feel that if we can save one life through our program, we feel good deep down in our hearts.

S.W.: What makes your organization different from other non-profit programs,such as Boys Clubs, and Y.M.C.A.?
A.M.: Help Against Drugs Organization of N.Y.C., is different from traditional organizations in as much as we are unique in our approach. H.A.D. reaches out to the community through networking with other programs and organizations, conducting modelling seminars, distributing food to homeless families through our volunteers and celebrities, and making presentations to these youths, such as totebags, "T" Shirts and certificates, to build their self esteem and make them feel important in society.

S.W.: What is your motto?
A.M.: Actually, have two mottos:
"The Main Event we Fight is Sports vs. Drugs." & "Your contribution to H.A.D. can help save a life."

S.W.: Who are your role models?
A.M.: Ghandi, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Mother Theresa

S.W.: Tell us about the "World's Largest Community Fashion & Modeling Organization.
A.M.: Since January, 2002, H.A.D. has worked with hundreds of models from all walks of life, ethnical backgrounds, sizes, with our youngest model being three years of age, and the oldest, sixty. The difference between our community fashion and modeling organization and other modeling agencies is that we give EVERYBODY an opportunity. What makes this possible is the fact that we are in partnership with humanitarian index.html. who agree with with our community based fashion and modeling program.

This allows them to promote their clothing through our models. We also offer world class training.through our coordinators and choreographers, who have over thirty years of experience throughout the fashion, design, and modeling businss.

We also teach our models about the humanitarian side of modeling, which serves two purposes. Firstly, it allows them to feel that they are providing a valuable service to the community, as well as to feel more confident in themselves, which results in them having greater self esteem. To learn more about our fashion and modeling program, please click here.