Fundraisers will raise money for officer training, two women suffering from cancer and local businesses trying to reduce crime
The Deputy James McGrane Annual Benefit Dinner will be this Friday, September 7, from 4:30 - 9 p.m. at the Elk’s Lodge, 2430 Centre SE (near Yale and Gibson). The meal costs $15.00 for adults and $7.50 for children ages 6 and up. Beef brisket, salad, baked beans, dessert and drinks are on the menu. The McGrane family raises money yearly to raise public awareness and provide training to keep officers safe.
The Drive a “Wedge” Against Property Crimes First Annual Golf Tournament takes place tomorrow, Saturday Sept. 8, at the Championship Course at the University of New Mexico. Registered teams and individual players will take part in the fundraiser. Numerous APD personnel will be participating including Chief Ray Schultz. The event is hosted by the Albuquerque Retail Assets Protection Association (ARAPA), the Financial Institutions Security Officers Association (FISOA) and the Albuquerque Police Department. This is a partnership geared towards addressing retail theft and organized crime in the Albuquerque area. The goal of the partnership is to protect local businesses from crime and reduce the impact that theft has on the local consumers.
There will be a pancake breakfast tomorrow, September 8 at Applebees, 2711 Coors Blvd. NW. The meal will cost $5 per person. This benefit breakfast was initiated by a local Albuquerque woman who started a fundraiser to support the mother and grandmother of APD Officer, Damian Lujan, after they were both diagnosed with cancer.
Lynette Fajardo was a family acquaintance who decided to take action and forefront this fundraiser to help them. She wrote a letter to APD Friday explaining why she felt compelled to help. She expressed her admiration for a young officer who is caring for his mother and grandmother in their time of need while still protecting the community as an APD officer.
“Through all the sadness and stress Officer Lujan was still out there on the streets protecting us.” Fajardo wrote, “This is the type of family that I am trying to help.”
Officer Lujan was recognized Friday by Mayor Richard J. Berry and Chief Schultz for assisting an elderly woman who had all of her money stolen. Lujan helped the woman by giving her money from his own pocket to help get her through her crisis.
For more information on these fundraisers please call (505) 768-3339.
