Happy Fall from the DC FOP Auxiliary. We hope everyone is doing well.

Due to the recent hurricane in Florida our Auxiliary opted to donate the food we purchased for the THANK AN OFFICER DAY to be sent to our DC FOP Lodge DART, who went to Florida to assist law enforcement. However, we will make this up to our local law enforcement at the annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Day in January.

Our National FOP Auxiliary implemented a program last year entitled REACH (Reach, Encouragement, Assisting Caring and Healing), which was developed to help law enforcement and their families in times of crisis, such as natural disasters. I made our DC FOP Lodge aware of this wonderful program and they generously donated $1,000 to our Auxiliary to help us purchase items and package them in order to assist our DC FOP DART in times of need, or if there are any other law enforcement crises that need attention. In these packages, we intend on putting such items as toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, razors, feminine products, deodorant, wipes, mouthwash, notebooks pens, quarters for machines, non-perishable food, and gift cards for gas or restaurants. We will try also to get as many donations of products as well. If you, as an FOP or FOP Auxiliary member, would like to donate any of these products or gift cards, it would truly be appreciated. Once we get the products, I will send out another announcement to see if anyone would like to help volunteer to put the packages together. This is a great opportunity for kids in school who need some volunteer hours before they graduate.

In October, my husband and I were invited to a private reception at the National Law Enforcement Museum before the opening and I was truly amazed at the incorporation of the interactive displays into the Museum’s features. I have put some photos on here of just some of the displays I saw. There is so much to see and to learn there. If you are in DC, you really should take time to go and see all the wonderful things they have.

Recently, one of our FOP members, DC MPD Sgt. Matthew Mahl, experienced a great loss: his house caught fire and everything was destroyed, including his truck. Our Auxiliary has donated to him and I have been in contact to see if he needs anything and will continue to do so. There was a GOFUNDME Page set up at gf.me/u/nasnwx. As we all know, even when you have insurance you never really get back the value of all of the items you have lost. If you can donate anything at all to GOFUNDME, I know he would truly appreciate it. Or, if you would like, you can send a check made out to Matthew Mahl to the DC FOP Lodge 1, 711 4th Street, NW, Washington DC 20001. Also, gift cards for stores such as WalMart or Target would be great. I would also like to add that Sgt. Mahl ALWAYS offers his time to help with any of our Auxiliary fundraisers and events, which I am truly thankful for.

I would like to remind our Auxiliary members that they are eligible to receive dental and vision benefits through our FOP. If you are interested, please contact the FOP.

As an Auxiliary member, you are also entitled to discounts on travel. Our FOP and FOP Auxiliary uses Griffin Worldwide Travel. One of their next trips is an FOP Trip to Ireland in October 2019. This tour includes time in Dublin, Cork, Ring of Kerry, Giants’ Causeway and much more. This s a twelve day trip that includes twelve breakfasts and six dinners. If you are interested, please contact Marianne Griffin at 703-957-8020.

We are always looking for new members. If you are a family member of an FOP member you are eligible to be a member of this Auxiliary. The cost of membership is $20 per year. I try to do as much as possible with your membership money to help our members as well as the money we receive from our fundraisers. As a member, you are not required to put any time into any of our events or come to our meetings; however, if you have time it truly would be appreciated. The general Auxiliary meetings are quarterly at the DC FOP at 5pm. It is very rewarding and is the least we can do for each other as a blue family. If you are interested, please contact me at bcannon@dc-fop.org. Please note, that you must be sponsored by a family member in good standing and will need to provide me with the family member’s name.

We have several DC MPD graduations coming up soon, which we again will be providing graduation cakes. Because I cannot get to the MPD Academy most times when they have family day, I have one auxiliary member right now, Marianne Griffin, who offered and has gone to the family day activities at the DC MPD to promote this Auxiliary and has been doing a wonderful job. So thank you, Marianne, and keep up the great work.

Our Vice President Patty Sucato, was contacted by DC MPD asking if our Auxiliary would like to partner again with them this year to do the winter coat drive in memory of Officer Eastman. Below is the information and it would be wonderful if we can get everyone to participate this year. Patty will be heading up this project for our Auxiliary with DC MPD so if you have any questions or would like to help her with this project she can be reached at psucato@dc-fop.org.

2ND ANNUAL WINTER GEAR & BLANKET DRIVE FOR THE HOMELESS IN MEMORY OF OFFICER BARRY EASTMAN

New or gently use and clean coats, gloves, mittens, hats, scarves, and blankets are being collected in the Roll Call Room at the Third District and will be distributed to the homeless as a way to continue Officer Eastman’s legacy of giving to those in need. Donations will be accepted from October 22, 2018 through February 28, 2019.

For more information, please contact Officer Brittany Tabron (brittany.tabron@dc.gov), Officer Kandice Young (kandice.young@dc.gov) or Patty Sucato (psucato@dc-fop.org).

Items can also be dropped off at FOP DC Lodge #1 at 711 4th St NW.

I will be partnering with G.G. Neil and the DC FOP this year with plans on doing another Blue Christmas Project. If anyone would like to help with this project, please contact me at bcannon@dc-fop.org.

In closing, our Auxiliary hopes everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving.