More than 200 officers and children catch fish and share quality time
For more than 15 years, the Cleveland Police Foundation has been bringing Cleveland Division Police Officers and children together to share a day of fishing in and around the city of Cleveland. This year, our Foundation sponsored two Cops and Kids Fishing Events.
The first event was held at Edgewater Park with children provided by the Cleveland Police Athletic League. After receiving t-shirts, the kids were given safety tips by Lt. Ed Lentz and headed out for two hours of fishing side-by-side with our police officers.
After a successful fishing excursion on our longtime partner Holiday Boat Charter, they returned to the marina and enjoyed a shore lunch including delicious fish caught by the kids and cooked by Lt. Lentz. The kids then had the opportunity to meet and chat with our Police Division’s K-9 Unit, Mounted Unit, Motorcycle Unit, and marine police boats provided by Metro Parks and Border Patrol.
As the day ended, each child received a book bag and ten of them won Visa gift cards in a special raffle. This was a day to remember, but most importantly, the kids realized police officers are regular people and are always there to help them.
For the fifth year in a row, the Cleveland Police Foundation partnered with the Western Reserve Land Conservancy for our second Cops and Kids Fishing Event of the year. It was an outstanding weather day as kids from Cleveland PAL and the Boys & Girls Club joined officers for a day of fishing. This time, we dropped fishing lines at the Conservancy’s property in Burton.
Once again, every child caught at least one fish and enjoyed fishing with our officers. Afterward, everyone enjoyed a delicious box lunch, and each child left with a fishing rod, book bag, and a gift bag of goodies supplied by PAL.
We thank RPM for their sponsorship, along with all the volunteers who made these events possible. Special thanks to the Western Reserve Land Conservancy, Jackie Ketterer and Bob Kumazec from PAL, Rose Roy, Rick DeChant, and all the officers who participated. Without all of you, these positive community interactions wouldn’t have happened.
CPF Community Outreach Officer Bob Guttu shared this closing note, “I hope to see you all next year. Thanks again to the Cleveland Police Foundation, our Cleveland Police Officers, and sponsors for making Fishing with Cops possible.”
