On July 25, NJSPBA members displayed their continuous support for the Survivor and Welfare Fund at the monthly state meeting. From community events to softball games, there seemed to be no end to the creative fundraisers that members have hosted to support the fund.
Livingston Local 263 members presented a $5,000 donation from the proceeds of their food truck event.
“If you guys aren’t doing a food truck event, you should do it,” Local 263 member Todd Compesi expressed to members after he presented the donation. “It’s been great. It’s been a good help.”
Adding to the overflowing support, Montclair Local 53 State Delegate Joe Savittieri presented a $12,000 donation from the proceeds of the eighth annual Family Behind the Badges Softball Tournament. Over the years, the tournament has almost doubled in participation, from only eight teams at its start to now 14 teams.
This year’s event included teams from Paterson Local 1, Passaic City Local 14, Bloomfield Local 32, Clifton Local 36, Hudson County Corrections Officers Local 109, Elmwood Park Local 185, West Paterson Local 173, Monmouth County Detectives Local 256, Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office Local 265 and Bernardsville Local 346.
Every year, teams play in honor of a fallen officer lost in the line of duty. This June, members honored Woodland Park Captain Jeff O’Brien, who was lost in November 2022 to a fight with cancer.
Lastly, Dunellen Local 146 State Delegate Joe Dudley and Somerville Local 147 State Delegate Vito Spadea presented a donation from the proceeds from selling challenge coins honoring the PBA Cigar Gala. The coin doubled as a cigar rest and carried the PBA Cigar Gala logo.
