Police Survivors Benefit
is for those who lost a loved one

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 coordinates events all year long for the families of slain Philadelphia police officers.
"Even though their loved one is gone, they’re still a part of the FOP family, and we want to remember them," said Rich Eberhart, a recently retired police officer who is chairman of the union’s ways and means committee.
Eberhart is lead organizer of the 11th annual Police Survivors Benefit, which will take place Saturday, May 19, from 3 to 7 p.m., at Finnigan’s Wake, an Irish bar at Third and Spring Garden streets in Northern Liberties.
The block party-type outing will feature a dunk tank and six live bands — Philly Heat, Seven, Soul Cruisers, Dame, Abstract and Bogside Rogues — that will play inside and outside the bar.
The fund-raiser, which will be held rain or shine, coincides with the end of National Police Week, which runs from May 13 to 19.
Guests will be able to take part in silent and Chinese auctions. The prizes include a Flyers puck signed by Sami Kapanen and a stick autographed by Ryan Potulny, a football signed by Lynn Swann, a jersey of Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward, a Christina Aguilera tour book and a guitar signed by celebrities ranging from Hulk Hogan to Bianca Ryan, the young Mayfair singer who won the America’s Got Talent national television competition.
In 2006, more than 2,000 people attended the event, which raised $72,000. The numbers were higher than normal, probably because 15th Police District community relations officer Gary Skerski was shot to death during an armed robbery at a Northwood bar less than two weeks before the benefit.
As part of the fund-raiser, the FOP will collect money at Harbison Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard on Saturday, May 12, from noon to 3 p.m. At the same time, motorists can have their cars washed at the nearby White Glove, at 6500 Harbison Ave.
Men will have their cars dried by members of Girls of Philly, while women will receive the same treatment from the Men of the Cave. Customers make a monetary donation of their choice.
Eberhart and his committee are being assisted by Denny Glick, owner of White Glove. Clear Channel is donating 30 billboards to promote the benefit. And the Q102 morning team — featuring the Northeast’s Diego Ramos — is publicizing the event.
Money raised will go toward providing Thanksgiving dinners and Christmas presents for families of murdered police officers. The FOP also hosts an annual luncheon at its union hall and provides transportation to police memorials in Center City and Harrisburg.
In addition, the union has arranged for much larger gifts, such as a handicapped-accessible van for John Marynowitz, the policeman seriously wounded in West Oak Lane in 1993 by a 19-year-old illegal alien from Haiti. That shooting claimed the life of his partner, Robert Hayes. ••

The police details...

The Police Survivors Benefit is set for Saturday, May 19, from 3 to 7 p.m., at Finnigan’s Wake, at Third and Spring Garden streets.
Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. The cost includes food, beer and live music. Donations can be sent to Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5, 1336 Spring Garden St., Philadelphia, PA 19123.
For advance tickets or more information, call the FOP at 215-629-3600 or visit www.fopsurvivorsfund.com