The Cape Coral Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 33 has donated approximately $34,000 to Pace Center for Girls, Lee County; Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida; and the Cape Coral Caring Center.
This summer, the FOP President, Sergeant Paul Blanchard, learned about Pace-Center-affiliated students who were in need of Chromebooks for the 2020-21 school year. As a result, the FOP donated $14,000 — enough to buy 40 of these devices for 65-plus girls through program resources. Now, students are able to continue their classes virtually and keep in touch with their counselors as well as participate in virtual field trips, engaging projects and pop-up events.
In addition, Sergeant Blanchard and FOP Vice President Robert Goff presented $2,000 to the Harry Chapin Food Bank. This donation helped the renowned charity purchase the equivalent of $16,000 worth of food, 540 lbs. of which they offered in a single day to families in need.
Last month, the FOP also donated $1,000 to the Cape Coral Caring Center (CCCC). This marked the organization’s 30th anniversary with resources that helped 18,237 Cape Coral residents (5,833 families) and contributed to 188 tons of distributed food.
To complement these philanthropic initiatives, the FOP partnered with a few local churches to provide $17,000 in school supplies to about 85 area students in leau of an annual back-to-school shopping trip. The FOP previously modified this event, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and thanks to their connection to the Cape Coral Police Department Chaplain program.
“The FOP Lodge 33 saw an unanticipated, extra need for key goods. As luck would have it, our invaluable connections with local leaders and organizations made it possible to fulfill that need, despict the obstable of the century,” Sergeant Blanchard said. “We are fortunate to work in such a great community with fantastic support for its public safety professionals.”
For more information on the FOP Lodge 33, visit CapeCoralFOPLodge33.org.
