The Ypsilanti Courier
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Local police set second fundraiser
Fund-raising event to be held at Pub 13
By Kathleen Conat, Special Writer
PUBLISHED: October 25, 2007
Following the success of its first fund-raiser, when more than $1,500 was raised, the Ypsilanti Citizens' Police Academy Fund raising Committee will host a chili dinner from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 2 at Pub 13 in downtown Ypsilanti.
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To be held in collaboration with owner David Curtis, a dinner consisting of regular or vegetarian chili, garlic bread and either soda, coffee or tea can be had for $8. In addition, a portion of beer sales will also be donated to the cause.
Lula Jones said Curtis, a graduate of the academy, approached her about doing the event. All money from it will go toward paying the salaries of Ypsilanti police officers who teach at the academy.
Jones said the first fund-raiser, a spaghetti dinner held at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, saw $1,550 in donations.
"I am so very happy and thrilled about the outcome," Jones said. She added she is signed up to take the next class, which begins in January.
The dinner served approximately 100 people and, according to volunteer Megan Turf, many people donated more than the cost of the meal. In addition, the committee is selling buttons and T-shirts that read, "I support the Ypsilanti Police Department Citizens' Police Academy." The buttons sell for $1 and the T-shirts for $20.
Police Chief Matt Harshberger said the efforts are making a difference in being able to continue the academy, which gives ordinary citizens a crash course in police operations and techniques on the order of an official police academy, from which all officers must graduate.
"Lula Jones, along with St. Luke's Church and many other exceptional Ypsilanti residents and business owners want to show their support for the Ypsilanti Police and the Citizens Police Academy by making sure the academy stays an active program no matter what happens financially in the city," he said.
"We hope everyone comes out to enjoy a great chili dinner while supporting the Citizens Police Academy and the Ypsilanti Police Department. Our thanks also go to David Curtis and Pub 13 for sponsoring this event."
Harshberger said the Friends of the Ypsilanti Police Department currently cover the cost of supplies for the academy and the graduation dinner has been donated by various local restaurants. Until recently, the officers' salaries were covered by the city. When the city said it could no longer foot this bill, Jones and her crew stepped in.
"I must extend my heartfelt gratitude to all those fabulous volunteers that have worked so hard on these great dinner fund-raisers," he said.
"I especially wish to thank Lula Jones for all her hard work and dedication to make these fund-raisers a success and to see the Citizens Police Academy continues well into the future. Lula's unrelenting efforts have ignited widespread community support for a very good cause."
Buttons and T-shirts may be purchased at the fundraiser, or by calling Jones at 1-734-330-2239 or Turf at 1-734-218-0018.
Kathleen Conat is a longtime Ypsilanti resident and freelance writer for The Courier. She can be reached through editor@ypsilanticourier.com.
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