Classic day
for survivors
If there’s ever an opportunity to raise money for survivors or show families
that their loved ones will never be forgotten, members of the NJ State PBA are
there.
On Oct. 2, the Mercer County Conference led another crusade to support
survivors, working alongside them at the annual Garden State Concerns of Po-
lice Survivors (C.O.P.S.) Survivor Golf Classic. Garden State C.O.P.S. President
John Ciuppa was one of the many survivors who arrived at the Mercer Oaks
Golf Course early in the morning to help the members from Mercer County
Conference set up the omnipresent survivor flags that provided a powerful trib-
ute.
“They’re all so appreciative of everything that we’ve been through and mak-
ing sure that nobody is forgotten,” noted Ciuppa, who was only 9 months old
when his father was lost in the line of duty.
The significance of the thin blue line was as clear as the sky above as offi-
cers and survivors worked together to run the most successful Survivor Classic
yet. More than 200 officers and law enforcement business supporters filled the
greens of the two tracks at Mercer Oaks Golf Course in West Windsor. The out-
standing support from PBA Locals and partners raised $23,000 that will fund
the Garden State C.O.P.S. mission to provide resources and care to families in
New Jersey who have lost a loved one in the line of duty.
“It’s definitely a great feeling to be there for our survivors,” stated Mercer
County Conference Chairman Mike Pellegrino. Pellegrino credited the success
of the Survivor Classic to the team of Mercer County Conference members who
put so much care into planning the event, especially Mercer County Sheriff’s
Officers Local 187 State Delegate Pat Papero, who advocated helping Garden
State C.O.P.S. continue the Golf Classic two years ago.
“Pat Papero really took the bull by the horns and ran with it,” stressed Pel-
legrino. “I’m so proud of all of his efforts.”
The NJ State PBA Executive Board, including President Pat Colligan and Vice
President Marc Kovar, attended the outing to remind survivors that officers
who made the ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten and that their family
in law enforcement will always be there. Other guests who joined for the golf
outing and an afternoon of giveaways and prizes included Mercer County Pros-
ecutor Angelo Onofri, Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo and Police Unity Tour
Founder Pat Montuore.
“The key is to never forget,” Pellegrino insisted. “We have to look at it as a big
family, and we have to take care of one another.”
54
NEW JERSEY COPS
■ OCTOBER 2018
Mercer County Conference and Garden State C.O.P.S. worked
together to run another successful Survivor Golf Classic while
honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifi ce.