NORWICH – The Norwich Police Benevolent Association’s annual fundraiser is underway, and the group which prides itself in community assistance and involvement is accepting donations.
In essence, the Police Benevolent Association (PBA) is the union for police officers, and the Norwich chapter’s members are all officers and sergeants of the Norwich Police Department.
Police Officer George Carnrike III took over as Norwich PBA President in January.
“The PBA is involved all throughout the community,” said Carnrike. “We donate not only our time, but also money to well-known and important area events.”
Carnrike explained that time, sponsorships and donations are given to events like Little League, Pop Warner, the school lunches program, the after-prom party, REK Memorial 5k, The Pumpkin Festival, Colorscape Chenango, The Place, and the Holy Family School fish fry, among others.
Special requests are often made for help to fire victims, which the PBA tries its best to assist.
Carnrike added that PBA members are on hand every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to register bicycles for children.
The PBA additionally holds Summer Fun Days at Kurt Beyer Park in Norwich. This offers children an opportunity to learn about stranger danger and bicycle safety. The children are given ‘Junior Police Officer’ stickers, K9 information cards, glowsticks, coloring books, and other flyers.
“All the events and demonstrations we do are free to the public because of the donations we receive,” said Carnrike. He said officers donate their time and insight on their days off.
