Law enforcement heroes to be honored at gala awards evening on September 19
Rotary Club of Fort Myers South is pleased to announce the five finalists for Officer of the Year have been chosen and they, along with all the outstanding nominees from seven local law enforcement agencies, will be honored at the Law and Order Ball at 6 p.m. on Saturday, September 19 at Harborside Event Center in downtown Fort Myers. Tickets are now on sale for this annual gala event, which recognizes local law enforcement and celebrates their dedication and commitment to our community.
In a blind judging process, judges from the Rotary Club of Fort Myers South selected the following finalists from nominees selected by their respective departments: from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office – Staff Officer Darryl Aubuchon, Deputy Chris Meyer and Deputy Michael Zazwirsky; from the Fort Myers Police Department – Officer David Conticelli; and from the Cape Coral Police Department – Detective Patricia Enterline. One special hero will be awarded and receive a custom designed piece by Rotarian Mark Loren of Mark Loren Designs.
The Selection Committee includes: Chair, Immediate Past President Rotary Club of Fort Myers South, Rebecca Goff; President-Elect Gerry Poppe; Member and Past Assistant District Governor, Jeff Kircher; State Attorney, 20th Judicial Court & The Rotary Club of Ft. Myers President, 2015-2016 Steve Russell; CEO of United Way of Lee, Charlotte, Hendry & Glades Counties, Cliff Smith; VP of Finance & Treasurer for Chico’s, Jennifer Powers Adkins; retired law enforcement officer Stephanie Nygaard.
Nominations for “Officer of the Year” were provided by the following agencies based on the nominee going “above and beyond the call of duty,” the totality of the nominee’s contribution to the agency and/or community throughout the year, if he/she served as a role model to others, extraordinary actions, and if he/she meets the Rotary Club’s Four-Way Test: Cape Coral Police Department, Florida SouthWestern State College Police Department, Florida Gulf Coast University Police Department, Fort Myers Police Department, Lee County Port Authority Police, Lee County Sheriff’s Office and Sanibel Police Department.
Creighton Construction & Development along with Ada’s Natural Market graciously returns as the Title Sponsor for the Law and Order Ball. This gala event includes cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, a sumptuous dinner, a silent and live auction, entertainment and some very special surprises. All proceeds benefit the Rotary Club of Fort Myers South Foundation and Lee County law enforcement youth programs.
Rotary Club of Fort Myers South is also grateful to these generous sponsors: LeeSar, Survival Armor, The Fort Myers News-Press, Edison National Bank, CONRIC PR & Marketing | Publishing, The Eventful Company, Enterprise Holdings, NBC-2, Siesta Pebble Inc., Haven, CFS Roofing, FineMark Bank, Florida Gulf Coast University, HBKS Wealth Advisors, The Huff Insurance Agency, Jason’s Deli, Kagan Law Firm, Mark Loren Designs, Rapid Print, Southern Wine and Spirits, and UBS.
Our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to protect our community and our community can show their appreciation for them by underwriting the cost of their tickets through the Fund-A-Cop program. Tickets are $150 per person and $1,200 for a table of eight. To purchase tickets for your party or for officers through the Fund-A-Cop opportunity, visit www.lawandorderball.org.
The inaugural Law and Order Ball, held in October of 2014, drew more than 400 local dignitaries, law enforcement representatives, business owners and residents, and raised $84,000. Many levels of sponsorship opportunities are available, with major sponsors being honored at a special VIP reception.
For information about in-kind donations and the many different sponsorship opportunities that are still available, visit www.lawandorderball.org or contact Lori Cook North at lori@eventfulinc.com.
Rotary Club of Fort Myers South
Rotary Club of Fort Myers South has more than 140 members who are among the 1.3 million Rotarians worldwide. Service Above Self is the motto of Rotary International, which has contributed more than $1.2 billion and tens of thousands of volunteer hours toward polio eradication in addition to projects such as water quality, world peace and literacy. Meetings are held each Monday at 12:00 PM at the Crowne Plaza, 13051 Bell Tower Drive. For more information, visit www.rotarysouth.org.