Officer safety is paramount, and it is one of the lodge’s missions to assure every single deputy has the tools and means to carry out their duties in a safe manner. Our vest program was created to help offset the cost of purchasing a bulletproof vest. Unfortunately, these vests have a shelf life. But thanks to this program, no deputy has to shoulder the entirety of this financial burden vital to their safety. 

Though a costly undertaking to the lodge, there is not a price tag on each and every one of our members returning home safely to their families after each shift.  Through diligent fundraising efforts and generosity from our supporters, this program is and will continue to be successful for years to come, keeping our men and women in blue safe while protecting and serving your families and ours each and every day.

This program is probably one of the most rewarding events that we, as a lodge, do throughout the year, and it has been an annual event since our lodge’s inception.

 In 2011, our executive board expanded this program, making it more inclusive. We partnered with the Mahoning County Educational Service Center to assist us in creating relationships with school districts throughout Mahoning County, and those relationships have continued.  Mahoning County is a large geographical area with more than 13 public school districts, and there are families and children in need throughout all of them.  Affording kids in the community a special holiday experience is amazingly rewarding. However, identifying those those most in need was the continuous challenge.  Deferring to the school districts and their support staff allowed us to better identify that those in need, as the school staff work with them each and every day.

Through our fundraising efforts, community support (business and individual), and volunteering from both FOP members and FOP supporters, we are able to keep this program in existence, and it continues to grow to help more children in need each year. 

Every year, our lodge along with Youngstown Police Department’s FOP lodge (Lodge 28), hosts a ceremony followed by a luncheon to honor those officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice: losing their lives while on duty, protecting and serving.

This church ceremony honors these individuals in the most respectful way. The families of the fallen officers are invited to observe the church ceremony, listen to guest speakers praise the fallen, witness the application of roses to a wreath — each rose representing an officer, and witness presentation of the wreath, during which taps are played followed by a 21-gun salute. It is truly a spectacular event and one that will always be near and dear to each member of our lodges to remember those who served before us.

Again, this event is made possible by our many supporters and volunteers and will continue for many years to come. These men and women of law enforcement deserve nothing less than this amazing remembrance for the sacrifice they have made to protect us.

Pictures of this event are available for your viewing. Anyone wishing to make a contribution to our lodge to assist in continuing this tradition, it would be greatly appreciated.

Every October is breast cancer awareness month. We, as a lodge, honor this by seeking donations and wearing pink Deputy Sheriff Badges in support of this tremendously important cause. We are fortunate to have a the Joannie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center for research and treatment here in our backyard. It is safe to say that most of our membership has directly or indirectly been affected by this disease. By being able to contribute each year, it is our hope that our support will assist the center in carrying out the work they do and will help in earlier detection and, God willing, eventually a cure.