Spring Break
Fraternity raising funds in memory of officer
Heather Driscoll
Issue date: 9/18/06 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Chi Pi Sigma fraternity is looking to raise funds for the family of fallen officer Jeffrey Fontana, when three members walk in his memory for the 2006 COPS Walk in Washington, D.C., this October.
Concerns of Police Survivors Inc., also known as COPS, is a nationwide nonprofit organization providing resources to assist in rebuilding lives of families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, according to www.nationalcops.com.
Chi Pi Sigma is a co-ed criminal justice fraternity with a chapter at San Jose State Univeristy, according the SJSU Web site.
Fraternity treasurer Jennifer Major, fraternity Sergeant at Arms Ilya Vrublevskiyer and COPS Walk organizer Katie Novak will be trekking along the Potomac River on a 25-mile walk to take place on the weekend of Oct.14-15 to pay tribute to San Jose Police Department's most recent fallen officer, Jeffrey Fontana.
"Being that we are a law enforcement fraternity, we felt that this would be a great opportunity to give back and show our support for all the families that have lost an officer in the line of duty," Vrublevskiyer said.
Jeffrey Fontana was shot and killed Oct. 28, 2001, during what police believe started as a routine traffic stop, according to www.sjpd.org.
"We chose to walk in memory of Fontana because he is the most recent officer to be killed on duty at the San Jose Police Department," Novak said.
The fraternity's goal is to raise a total of $3,000: $1,000 per participant, according to Major.
"We're almost there," Major said. "Katie's in the lead with about $1,500, and I have raised about $800."
The fraternity is trying to collect money through pledges, flat donations and mail-in donations, according to Novak.
"Anything helps," Novak said. "One-hundred percent of the profits goes straight to charity, and besides, if you do make a donation, it is tax-deductible, so you can just write it off."
Major said they also are trying to cut deals with businesses and other organizations.
"I just tried to pitch a deal to the Secret Service the other day," Major said. "It helps because we have some connections with them. … They seem real eager to help out."
Novak said that the COPS Walk is an opportunity to meet and connect with the families and friends of fallen officers.
"Unlike the AIDS walk where there are a couple thousand participants, there are only about 50 to 75 participants here," Novak said. "This way, we really get the chance to meet and bond with people for an overall great experience."
"I feel like I owe it to them," Major said. "After receiving the Jeffrey Fontana Memorial scholarship, a scholarship that gives criminal justice students $1500 a year for schooling, I felt like this would be a good way to repay them."
People can make donations to the COPS organization or to the families of fallen officers by visiting or mailing a donation to the Chi Pi Sigma house at 230 S. 10th Street or by visiting www.nationalcops.com.
Concerns of Police Survivors Inc., also known as COPS, is a nationwide nonprofit organization providing resources to assist in rebuilding lives of families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, according to www.nationalcops.com.
Chi Pi Sigma is a co-ed criminal justice fraternity with a chapter at San Jose State Univeristy, according the SJSU Web site.
Fraternity treasurer Jennifer Major, fraternity Sergeant at Arms Ilya Vrublevskiyer and COPS Walk organizer Katie Novak will be trekking along the Potomac River on a 25-mile walk to take place on the weekend of Oct.14-15 to pay tribute to San Jose Police Department's most recent fallen officer, Jeffrey Fontana.
"Being that we are a law enforcement fraternity, we felt that this would be a great opportunity to give back and show our support for all the families that have lost an officer in the line of duty," Vrublevskiyer said.
Jeffrey Fontana was shot and killed Oct. 28, 2001, during what police believe started as a routine traffic stop, according to www.sjpd.org.
"We chose to walk in memory of Fontana because he is the most recent officer to be killed on duty at the San Jose Police Department," Novak said.
The fraternity's goal is to raise a total of $3,000: $1,000 per participant, according to Major.
"We're almost there," Major said. "Katie's in the lead with about $1,500, and I have raised about $800."
The fraternity is trying to collect money through pledges, flat donations and mail-in donations, according to Novak.
"Anything helps," Novak said. "One-hundred percent of the profits goes straight to charity, and besides, if you do make a donation, it is tax-deductible, so you can just write it off."
Major said they also are trying to cut deals with businesses and other organizations.
"I just tried to pitch a deal to the Secret Service the other day," Major said. "It helps because we have some connections with them. … They seem real eager to help out."
Novak said that the COPS Walk is an opportunity to meet and connect with the families and friends of fallen officers.
"Unlike the AIDS walk where there are a couple thousand participants, there are only about 50 to 75 participants here," Novak said. "This way, we really get the chance to meet and bond with people for an overall great experience."
"I feel like I owe it to them," Major said. "After receiving the Jeffrey Fontana Memorial scholarship, a scholarship that gives criminal justice students $1500 a year for schooling, I felt like this would be a good way to repay them."
People can make donations to the COPS organization or to the families of fallen officers by visiting or mailing a donation to the Chi Pi Sigma house at 230 S. 10th Street or by visiting www.nationalcops.com.
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