Message from the President

Dear Members,

As I type this I just got back into town after taking a much needed vacation, and while on that vacation I came to realize the end of the year is quickly approaching. Hard to believe that 2009 is almost in the books and 2010 is right around the corner. However, our FOP Lodge 16 was very busy this year as we have undergone numerous changes that are starting to make a difference to both members of our lodge and to the community as well.

In September the FOP deal was completed and the farm/lodge was sold. Now that the deal has been completed we have moved into the "looking" phase as we search for our new home. The process as mentioned before is not a quick one as there are several factors in choosing a new home such as the location, and ultimately the price. While we continue to search our meetings will be held at the American Legion as they have been until members are advised otherwise. A few properties have been mentioned and looked at, but at this time there has been nothing that actually fits our needs.

Our FOP Lodge 16 has received a great deal of thanks/recognition for our "Cops for Crayons" program which assists our local schools by providing school supplies and relieving the financial strain for many families as the school year began. In August 2009 our FOP Lodge was able to donate enough money to the Owensboro Public School system so that every student through the 6th grade had the needed supplies to start the year. I can only imagine how successful that program could become in the next few years. The goal is to ultimately assist both the Public and County schools so that ALL students can benefit and obtain the needed materials to excel in the classroom and beyond. Our FOP was presented with an award from the Owensboro Board of Education for our program, and I can tell you firsthand how excited and thankful they were.

As of October 12, 2009 Tel Tech 2000 has been hired to promote our FOP and will conduct our Fall 2009 fundraiser as we begin our annual collection for the "Shop with a Cop" program. The new company comes well recommended from other agencies in Kentucky, and so far I am very pleased with them and how they conduct themselves while representing our FOP Lodge. It still amazes me how the community continues to support us and our programs even as the economy continues to unstable.

Work continues on the Public Safety Habitat House located at 7th and Elm Street. Work days are Mon,Wed,Fri from 800am-300pm and Sat 800am-1200pm so if you are interested contact me at (315-5486) for more information. We hope to have the house completed around Thanksgiving so the family can enjoy Christmas in their new home.

Rick Latanzio, FOP Lodge 16 President