On Centre: Bald Eagle Area

Police lodge raising funds

Chris Rosenblum

Some time soon, your phone may ring.

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It could be another solicitation, this one for something called the Program and Advertisers Guide for a Fraternal Order of Police show.

Do what you wish about donating, but be assured, it’s legitimate.

So says John Conti, a retired Ferguson Township police

detective with the Bald Eagle Lodge No. 51, Fraternal Order of Police.

Conti, the chairman of the lodge’s annual show in April, wants the public to know the facts about the 28th solicitation drive to benefit the biggest fundraiser for the Port Matilda lodge.

A few years ago, according to Conti, the lodge discovered that another area police organization was fundraising at the same time, causing confusion among local residents.

The lodge’s solicitors are not active police officers, Conti emphasizes. Only civilian employees, clearly identifying themselves as being with the lodge, will contact citizens in Centre County and parts of Blair and Clearfield counties.

Furthermore, the lodge solicitors will not ask for cash payments or credit card information. Individuals or businesses wanting to make a donation should make checks payable to Bald Eagle Lodge No. 51.

Checks can be sent to the lodge at P.O. Box 99, 1979 Reese Hollow Road, Port Matilda, PA 16870. In some cases, donations can be picked up, but anybody sent to collect donations will have identification linking them to the lodge.

It all helps support social, charitable and educational activities for area police officers and other lodge members. According to the lodge, the organization “is committed to promoting and fostering the enforcement of law and order” as well as “cultivating a spirit of fraternalism and mutual respect among our members and the citizens we serve.”

The annual show will take place April 23, 2010, at the State College Area High School’s South Building and feature singer Eddie Holman, who scored a 1970 hit with “Hey There Lonely Girl.”

For tickets or more information about the solicitation, call 692-8587.

Chris Rosenblum writes a weekly column about happenings in the Bald Eagle area. Send him news at crosenbl@centredaily.com or call 231-4620.

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