(PALM BEACH, FL---)  The Policemen’s Ball, the Palm Beach Police Foundation’s annual fundraiser, held at Mar-a-Lago on January 10, 2008, drew a sellout crowd of 500 supporters and guests that included Palm Beach Police Department officers and employees.  The dinner dance and live auction, which was conducted by auctioneer Bill Bone, raised more than $750,000 (gross).

 

 Bridget Rooney Koch and William I. Koch were the Honorary Chairmen, and Eileen and Brian P. Burns served as Executive Ball Committee Chairmen.  The evening began with a moonlit poolside cocktail reception where guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres to the strains of a steel band.  The guests were then escorted to the Grand Ballroom where Palm Beach Pipes and Drums played at the entryway followed by the Presentation of the Colors by the Palm Beach Police Department Honor Guard.  The National Anthem was performed by Daniel Cochran, winner of the Palm Beach Pops 2008-2009 Palm Beach Popstar, and the Invocation was given by Captain Fred Hess.

 

John F. Scarpa, president of  The Palm Beach Police Foundation, welcomed the guests, acknowledged the Kochs and Burns, and introduced Michael S. Reiter, Palm Beach Police Chief, who presented the Third Annual Palm Tree Award to Bridget Rooney Koch and William I. Koch in recognition of their outstanding civic activity and philanthropy.  A sumptuous dinner was served and entertainment provided by Soul Survivor,  kept a constant crowd on the dance floor.

 

The mission of the Palm Beach Police Foundation is to support the Palm Beach Police Department and its sworn officers and civilian employees through the acceptance and management of tax-deductible gifts and contributions.

 

The Palm Beach Police Foundation, Inc. was established in 2006 by members of the Fraternal Order of the Police (FOP) and its civilian arm, and the Fraternal Order of the Police Associates (FOPA).  The Board of directors is composed of town residents and police officers that include three FOP board members, three FOPA associates and three civic members.

 

Headquartered in Palm Beach, the foundation is a not-for-profit, 501(C)(3) organization that accepts and manages the tax deductible gifts and donations to the Palm Beach Police Department, and distributes donations that remain in the town, to a variety of police department causes including scholarships and grants for education, new equipment and assistance to officers
in need.

 

The Palm Beach Police Foundation provides funding to Palm Beach Crime Watch, Inc., the 25 year-old non-profit organization that promotes citizen participation in crime prevention in the residential and business communities through
a variety of programs and bi-monthly newsletter