LEO raises money for law enforcement families

Several hundred people filled a large room at the Junction sports bar in Long Beach last weekend to help raise funds for Law Enforcement Officers Weekend, an organization that supports families of fallen or injured officers by granting them all-expense paid vacations in either Lake George or in Long Beach.

It was the organization’s second event, and more than $36,000 was raised, according to Austin Glickman, the president of the national nonprofit organization LEO Weekend.

He added that the organization raffled off more than 50 items including gift cards, sporting event tickets, wine baskets, paintings, surfing boards, among many other items.

Additionally, Glickman said that at the end of the night they had a live auction, where the main item was a heavy ballistic vest. The highest bidder would give the vest back to the organization, which would then be donated to a police department in need. This year, the vest, a photo and a letter signed by the organization and the donor will be sent to the South Pekin Police Department in Illinois. Glikman said the South Pekin has less than 10 officers and must purchase their own equipment.

Though he added that he hopes they don’t have to use it, Glickman said that he’s happy they have the vest in case of an emergency. In addition, since LEO raised more funds than predicted, they will also donate three other vests to other police departments in need.

George Day, a Nassau County police officer injured last year by a hit and run driver showed up Saturday. The officer who arrested the driver in the incident was LEO’s Treasurer Chris Koehle, who was in attendance. The pair were able to finally meet after the tragic circumstance brought them together.

LEO weekend was started in 2016 by Glickman, who is a New York City Police Officer. In the fall of 2014, while in the NYPD academy and just days before his graduation, Police Officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos were assassinated in Brooklyn. That event sparked Glickman to pursue the idea of a weekend getaway dedicated to law enforcement officers and their families.

“It’s an organization that’s built on love,” said David Chianese, of the Law Enforcement Officers Weekend during a press conference before the event. “ It’s not only our love for police officers but their families. Cops are family. Officers are killed or injured in the line of duty, oftentimes there is no one there for them.

A press conference at Hempstead Town Hall on Feb. 28 was led by Town of Hempstead Councilman Anthony D’ Esposito.

Genesis Familia, daughter of slain NYPD Detective Miosotis Familia, gave an emotional testimony of how the organization has helped her and her family.

“Organizations like Law Enforcement Officers Weekend offer families like mine an opportunity to just have a break and to not have to think about the darkness in this world that takes… my mom away from us,” Familia said. “I’m happy to be here to support a great cause that supported me personally.”

The Long Beach Weekend event is set for July 30 to August 2. The families will get to enjoy activities such as boat rides, surfing lessons and tailgate parties. The families of fallen officers will go to Lake George on June 12-14. For more information, visit www.leoweekend.com.