President’s Desk
“Life is not about finding yourself.
Life is about creating yourself.”
George Bernard Shaw
Dear Sister and Brother Officers,
Our membership drive for 2020 is now underway. Membership is open to all present and former C.O.s and S.C.O.s, active or retired. Join and be part of the fastest growing, most all-inclusive Court Officer organization in New York State. Dues for 2020 are $20. Members this year receive new member cards and other items. Your 2020 application link can be found at www.FOCO.org top right hand corner. Kindly return it to us by January 31, 2020. Sponsor a new member and have a chance to win 50 “Win for Life” scratch offs. Simply photocopy the application, have the prospective member fill out his/her info and insert your name on the “sponsored by” line and submit with payment.
2019 – Year in Review
2019 has been a very active year. Statewide membership approached 1,500. Our Twenty-Ninth Annual Dinner-Dance was a great success. Our “Belmont Day at the Races” was June 14th. Our Thirteenth Annual Fall Classic was held on September 18th and our Francisco Rosa Memorial outing on May 20th. Our Fourteenth Annual Pistol Competition just took place. Our Sixteenth Annual Teddy Bear Drive will be underway shortly, and our Annual Holiday Raffle will enable us to continue our holiday tradition of giving.
2019 10-13 & Belmont Stair Climb
Our membership responded with great generosity for the C.O. Keith Young 10-13 in Saratoga on May 18th. We are also proud that sixteen of our members climbed 110 stories at the National Stair Climb at Belmont Park to honor our brothers who lost their lives on 9/11/01
Check out our website to see what we have been doing, to download various forms and information, to contact Executive Board members, and to view present and past events.
Our Objectives
Our objectives remain as in the beginning; to promote fraternal spirit among our members, to champion the causes that will benefit members and all New York State Court Officers, and to be there for members in times of need (10-13s).
Our Annual Holiday Raffle – Goals
We would like to raise holiday funds for C.O. Keith Young, the children of C.O. James Barbieri, the daughter of C.O. Dave Alexander and, if possible, provide a college scholarship for a child of one of our members. If each member were to sell or buy just two tickets, we would reach goal. For raffles, or to help with sales in your Command, please call Joe Cannella at (516) 808-7009.
Our Tradition of Holiday Giving
The money raised by our holiday raffle also enables us to help less fortunate children and families in New York State. We proudly sponsor the following organizations:
- The Little Flower Home
- Pat Cairo Foundation
- Mary Brennan Interfaith Soup Kitchen
- Blythedale Children’s Hospital
We are proud to say that since our first underprivileged children’s party, we have raised well over $100,000 for charitable causes (excluding 10-13s). Special thanks go to C.O. Mike Riveiro for running our candy desk, as well as to everyone making our Holiday Raffle successful.
Our All-Star Team
✩ Dennis Lemke
We are proud to have Dennis Lemke as our attorney. Those of you who have seen him in court know that Dennis is one of the best. He’s always been there for our members. Dennis is on call 24 hours for you and yours @ (516) 294-9200.
✩ 2019 All-Star Running Backs (Members who’ve helped our projects succeed)
C.O. Steve Hervan, Sgt. Dominic Napolitano, C.O. Craig Flynn, C.O. Tom Bohan, C.O. Michelle Azzone, Ret. Major Ron Young, Sgt. Tom Jones, C.O. Christina Gordon, S.C.O. Debby Verity, S.C.O. Tom Murphy, C.O. Janet Garaguso, Sgt. James Hansen, Ret. Sgt. Frank Barry, Sgt. Brian Young, Capt. Ann Fitzgerald, C.O. Christine Pamulo, Sgt. Jessica Hernandez, Sgt. Mike Riveiro, Ret. Lt. Ed Jakubek. S.C.O. Tom Quinn, C.O. Cliff Weiss, C.O. Janet Walsh, S.C.O. Rob Abarno, C.O. Jim Bianco, C.O. Kim Coughlin. C.O. Paul Schulz.
Our Membership
The ability of our membership to respond quickly and generously to officers in need has enhanced our reputation throughout New York State and has established a model for other organizations to follow. We take great pride in our members and all the good they have accomplished throughout our history. With our membership as our greatest resource, there are no obstacles that we can’t overcome.
❄️ Holiday Party – LET US KNOW IF YOU WILL ATTEND!! ❄️
Our annual Holiday Party will take place on December 6th, 2019. Open bar from 6 – 8 PM, cash bar 8-10PM, at the Mineola Knights of Columbus Hall at 186 Jericho Turnpike (Rte. 25) – Nassau County, NY. Our special Holiday Raffle will be drawn on this night. The Prizes are $3,000, $1,000 and $500. Our party is free to all 2019 paid members-in-good-standing, non-member officers are $20, which goes to 2020 membership. We hope to see you, raise a cup of cheer, and sell out all our raffle tickets! Remember, these tickets offset the cost of this event, give us our donations for the Court Officers’ children and supplement our charitable giving. Tickets are $10 each. Please call Joe Cannella 516-808-7009 if you would like some tickets to sell on your own, and remember, the seller of the Holiday Raffle Grand Prize winning ticket will receive $200! CONTACT US IF YOU PLAN ON ATTENDING, AS WE NEED A HEAD COUNT. ALSO, ALL SOLD RAFFLES MUST BE TURNED IN BEFORE THE EVENT!!!!
Going Forward
The success of our projects throughout the year depends on the involvement of our members. Please volunteer or ask about how you can get involved.
In Remembrance
As always, we strive to hold our heads high in honor of our Brothers who gave their lives so that others may live. Let our actions honor the memory of Sgt. Mitch Wallace, Sgt. Tommy Jurgens, Lieutenant Teddy Leoutsakos and Captain Harry Thompson.
Yours Fraternally,
Joseph Cannella
P.S. Our Thirtieth Anniversary Dinner-Dance will be held on May 8, 2020 at the North Ritz in Syosset, New York.