The 23rd annual Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 Survivors’ Fund benefit is set for Saturday, May 18, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the FOP, 11630 Caroline Road.
The nonprofit fund benefits the families of police officers killed or injured in the line of duty.
“Our job is to take care of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the city,” said John McNesby, president of FOP Lodge 5.
The cost is $35. The event is open to people 21 or older and pre-teens. It will feature live music, a food buffet, open bar for draft beer, $3 well drinks, a 50/50 and raffles. Donations are being accepted for the Chinese and silent auctions.
There is plenty of parking in lots and on the street, and Police Explorers will be there to direct traffic.
Silent auction items will include a lot of sports memorabilia.
Live music will be performed by Jamison, on the outside stage, and Let’s Ride, on the indoor stage.
A Cornhole tournament will begin at 10 a.m. The cost is $80 per team and will include beer and food. The top team will receive a cash prize.
Depending on the weather, up to 1,300 people usually attend what is a block party atmosphere. They’re welcome to stay at the FOP the rest of the night.
“They’re treated to good entertainment for a good cause,” McNesby said. “It’s a good day.”
The fund provides meals for families at Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas, lunch at Vie following the annual Franklin Square Living Flame memorial service and bus rides to yearly gatherings at police memorials in Harrisburg and Washington, D.C., along with miscellaneous needs, such as tickets for little Johnny Pawlowski Jr. to see his first Eagles game.
The fund recently helped pay for the burial of popular police Lt. Juan Perez, a Bustleton resident who died of cancer in March at age 49. It also paid for the funeral expenses in Puerto Rico for fallen Philadelphia officer Isabel Nazario.
And the fund benefits police families from other parts of the country who might come to Philadelphia for a child’s medical needs and need a place to stay and money for meals.
“It’s actually the FOP Lodge 5 Chartitable Foundation,” McNesby said. “It’s just a brotherhood you don’t see in any other occupation.”
McNesby thanks people who donate raffle items, beer companies for supplying the alcohol and Dietz & Watson for providing food. FOP workers volunteer their time.
There is little overhead.
“It’s a team effort. Whatever we bring in goes directly to the fund,” McNesby said.
McNesby described the benefit as a “home run” for the fund.
In years past, the benefit was held at the old Finnigan’s Wake and Club Maui and the FOP’s former home at 1336 Spring Garden St.
The FOP’s move to its current spacious headquarters has been an all-around smart decision, including for the Survivors’ Fund benefit.
Last year, the benefit raised about $50,000.
“It’s grown so much. It’s really a good thing,” McNesby said. ••
