Local Fundraisers Help Police Foundation Support Gaithersburg Officers

Kentlands residents Gil Price and Ron Canova wrapped up lunch Tuesday at Dogfish Head Alehouse around 1:30 p.m., but that wasn't the only meal Price planned to eat at the Gaithersburg restaurant.

He was heading back for dinner with his family, too.

As president of the Gaithersburg Police Foundation, Price wanted to make sure he was contributing to the organizations annual fundraiser at the restaurant.

The GPF, through a series of events such as Tuesday's at Dogfish, raises money "with the intention of supporting the Gaithersburg Police Department and the individual officers," Price said.

The group tries to raise about $20,000 annually to help fund what Price called "urgent, off-budget items."

"The Gaithersburg Police Foundation supports the Gaithersburg Police Department with its mission to provide the highest quality police services to our citizens," Gaithersburg police officer Dan Lane said. "The foundation raises funds to allow equipment purchases, such as Game Cameras to assist in investigations, rifle vests for officers, K-9 vest for our dogs, two dogs, and funding for the Chief’s Pistol Competition, and recognition plaques for the Officer and Supervisor of the Year awards."

The GPF also sponsored the police department's first holiday party in 46 or 47 years, Price said.

"We want to support morale in the department in a way the city can't do," Price said. "If [Gaithersburg] held a holiday party for the police, they'd have to do it for [everybody]," and there isn't the budget to do it, Price said.

Supplementing proceeds from diners at the restaurant was a raffle for items including a big-screen televsion. The raffles, held at each GPF event, cost $5 for a ticket and all proceeds benefit the GPF, Price said.

The foundation is planning to host its first ever golf outing on Sept. 23 at the Montgomery Village Golf Course.

The captain's choice scramble event will cost $150 per golfer and prizes will be awarded to the winners and top finishers. Price and Canova, also a board member, couldn't hide their excitement.

"It's bragging right's for a year," Canova said.