When an officer is killed or injured while trying to protect someone else, the family of the officer is left with the burden to pay for a funeral, provide for the family, or provide care for the officer. In the northeast area of Philadelphia, a fundraiser was recently held as a way to benefit officers who have been killed or injured as well as their families. The fundraiser was orchestrated by the FOP Lodge Number 5, a lodge that serves officers and families in this area of the city. There was food served and sold as well as music and fun to be had by everyone who attended.
A part of the fundraiser was a silent auction. People placed bids on everything from tickets to special events to gift cards. Money raised from the auction was combined with money raised from the sales of food and other activities. The money will be kept on hand to assist families of officers so that they can pay for things like funeral costs, medical bills, and basic necessities that they can’t pay for when an officer is injured or killed in the line of duty.
The event has been held for the past 22 years. Each year brings more people who attend and who offer items for sale and more people who need assistance. The latter category is heartbreaking to many people in the community and to those who put together the fund-raising event because it means more officers are losing their lives or getting hurt and are unable to do their job. The atmosphere of the fundraiser is relaxing and fun as people spend time together and talk to some of the police officers who attend. There is no report of how much money was raised at the event, but the FOP hopes to release the figures within the next week or two.
