Halton organization prepares for annual fundraiser for families of fallen police officers

As Ontario police mourn the recent deaths of officers in the line of duty, the Halton Heroes Committee, and the Halton Police Foundation are teaming up to support fallen officers’ families and at-risk youth.

The Halton Heroes committee has evolved over the years, but its mission has always been rooted in supporting those who protect the community.

The original fund was created back in 2012, after a Burlington man saw a callout on TV for donations to help a fallen officer’s family, and decided to create the initiative.

“With the idea being, if that terrible tragedy ever happened to an officer, or an officer was killed, or really seriously injured in the line of duty, that some funds would already be there for him or her, or their family,” said Halton Police Chief Stephen Tanner.

That mission continues now, through a partnership with the Halton Police Foundation.

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After five successful galas, the committee has raised $800,000.

That money is now managed by the Halton Police Foundation to protect and grow the fund for years to come.

The two organizations are further combining their efforts for their upcoming fundraiser.

Proceeds from this year’s Halton Heroes Gala, which will be held on the 25th anniversary of 9/11 (Sept. 11, 2001), will go towards helping at-risk youth initiatives.

“In essence, what we want to do is have a holistic approach to help at-risk youth,” said Halton Police Foundation chair George Limberis. “Both have a place to stay and a career path forward, so it’s not only providing them a fish, it’s teaching them how to fish.”

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This year’s event also comes at an especially emotional time for policing in Ontario.

The recent line-of-duty deaths of Provincial Const. Tarun Bali, constable-in-training Tyrone Magbitang, and Toronto Police Emergency Task Force Const. Mark Pinizzotto, have served as a sobering reminder of the risks officers face.

“That sort of just all goes as a reminder of how dangerous the profession is and can be, and we certainly appreciate the men and women that do that every day on the front lines, of all of our police services across Ontario and beyond,” said Tanner.

The Halton Heroes Gala will be held at the Burlington Convention Centre in September.

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