Their motto is “We Ride for Those Who Died” — a mission statement and a reminder of the nation’s police officers who died in the line of duty; among them 129 fallen public servants in the year 2015.
When the annual Police Unity Tour bicycling event gears up for its ride to Washington, DC this coming May, among the municipal departments represented in the peloton will be the Red Bank Police, whose Team Red Bank will be pedaling the 300-plus miles from Hamilton, NJ to the nation’s capital over the course of four days (May 9-12).
According to the RBPD’s Ptl. John Camarca, “This bike ride is a not just a fundraiser. It is an event that raises awareness for the police officers who have died in the line of duty — the ones that selflessly gave their lives to protect the lives of others; the fallen heroes that went to work one day and never made it home.”
Through a FirstGiving fundraising effort, Team Red Bank will be among the departments joining forces to raise money for the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial Fund — an ongoing initiative for which the assembled Unity Tour riders have donated nearly $18 million dollars, including close to $2 million in 2015 alone. For the 2016 campaign, the Red Bank contingent has set a team fundraising goal of $28,000.
Upon reaching their destination, the Unity Tour participants will “honor those officers who have come before us and have paid the ultimate sacrifice. These officers, whose names grace the walls of the memorial in Washington, D.C., have left behind mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, wives, husbands, children, co-workers and friends.”
Take it here to donate to Team Red Bank’s effort. All donations are secure and sent directly to Team Red Bank by FirstGiving, who will email each donor a printable record of their contribution.
