Outstanding police and citizens will be honored at the annual Eagle & Badge Gala Wednesday night in a charity event to benefit officers and their families in times of critical need.
Held at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Century City, Wednesday Nov. 19, the gala is now in its 13th year.
Raising funds for the Los Angeles Police Protective League’s Eagle & Badge Foundation, the event includes the “In The Line Of Duty” awards which this year recognizes Chief Jim McDonnell, Long Beach Police Department; Robert and Linell Shapiro, The Brent Shapiro Foundation; Austin M. Beutner, Publisher and Chief Executive, Los Angeles Times; and Alan Skobin, Vice President and General Counsel, Galpin Motors.
“Linell and I are so honored to be recognized by the brave men and women who serve our city,” said Robert Shapiro.
Running Brent’s Club, a sober club for kids aged 10-17 in Boyle Heights, Shapiro said that being at the club is a reminder that the opportunity to change the life of a child is why they founded their organization and continue their work.
“I enjoy spending time at Brent’s Club,” Shapiro said. “We have a robust membership of 185 kids. Linell and I, in addition to our son, Grant, attend events and activities with the kids.”
The Eagle & Badge Foundation “In the Line of Duty” awards were created in 2002 to recognize outstanding individuals for their community, charitable, and law enforcement contributions, explained Peter Repovic, Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Officer and Eagle & Badge Foundation President.
“It’s our way of saying thank you to them for what they do for our officers and our citizens,” Repovich said.
The gala is important on several fronts, according to Repovich, to raise funds for the foundation and to not only present the awards, but also for guests to interact with over 100 police officers on a more personal level.
This summer, the Eagle & Badge Foundation unveiled the End of Watch Memorial Wall, standing as an everlasting tribute to those who gave their lives for citizens of Los Angeles.
“Our department has lost 207 officers in the line of duty,” Repovic explained. “The officers’ names and End of Watch dates are reverently featured on a 58-foot long, 15,000-pound traveling wall of stainless steel and glass. Everyone attending the gala will be moved by this special tribute.”
All funds raised will benefit LAPD officers, their children and families in time of critical need, whether with special equipment or medical items, a service dog for a small child of an officer, or other emergency situations.
The Foundation is often the last line of defense for the officers’ families and children in the community, according to Repovich.
The charity gala will see Mario Lopez, host of TV’s “Extra” and nationally syndicated radio show “On With Mario Lopez” serve as Emcee, with Grammy nominated and multi-Platinum recording artists Wilson Phillip, providing musical performances.
The Los Angeles Police Protective League’s Eagle & Badge Foundation, is an IRS-recognized 501(c) (3) nonprofit, charitable organization.
In time of critical need, in addition to supporting community organizations, the Foundation has recently funded: ongoing therapy and special equipment for officers and family members who may be recovering from a serious injury or illness; costs to train service dogs for autistic children of LAPD officers; assistance for officers who need to support their spouse and children while recovering from surgery, stroke, heart attack or other catastrophic illness; and travel expenses for an officer or officer’s family to be with them while they undergo cancer treatment, attend funerals or support a family member’s traumatic experience.
The Foundation has been enabled through ongoing fundraising activities, organizers explained. In addition to general donations, and funds raised at the annual gala, corporate, individual and lifetime memberships are an additional source of funding.
“Donations large and small positively impact the lives of the men and women of the LAPD and their families. By donating to support the Eagle & Badge Foundation’s programs, you have the opportunity to make a direct and tangible difference in the lives of the men and women who work tirelessly to maintain the safety of Los Angeles,” the foundation stated.
More information and last minute gala tickets can be found at eagleandbadgefoundation.com or by calling 818.994.4661.
