Cop association aiding Grenada
The NYPD-RGPF Officers’ Association — a group NYPD officers with roots in Grenada — is bringing new meaning to the phrase “long arm of the law” by reaching out to help Grenada law enforcement officials and aiding other causes in the region.
This month, the association collected much-needed relief supplies — including food, soap and shoes — for survivors of Hurricane Maria on storm-ravaged Dominica. Association members were scheduled to gather in Brooklyn yesterday to pack donated supplies bound for Dominica.
The NYPD-RGPF association was founded in the wake of tragedy and its members are, professionally and personally, well-suited to respond to crisis.
According to NYPD-RGPF spokesman Michael Bascombe, the association — which uses the Royal Grenada Police Force acronym RGPF in its name — was founded after RGPF Corporal Daniel Edgar was fatally shot in the line of duty in Grenada in April 2016.
Through fund-raising efforts and personal financial support from NYPD officers, the association's first act was a financial contribution to Edgar's family — and donating 100 bulletproof vests, helmets, traffic enforcement equipment and other gear to the Grenada Police Force in September.
The association has started discussions with the RGPF on possible future partnerships, he said.
Toys for the holidays
Holiday toy drives are underway to bring fun and treasured gifts to Caribbean children this this year: l The annual Belize Toys for Tots Program is collecting toys for the needy children of the nation, which sits on the Caribbean Sea.
Belway Entertainment and Sports Inc. is collecting new unwrapped toys can be dropped off in Brooklyn at Belway, 436 Fourth Ave. (between 8th and 9th Sts.) Belway donations are eligible as tax-deductible contributions, said Belway director Franz Richard (Butch) Fairweather.
Monetary donations are also accepted. Mail checks — payable to Belway Inc. — to Belway Inc., 436 Fourth Ave., Brooklyn, N.Y. 11215
For donation drop-off hours and other information, call (718) 768-8370 or send email to belwayinc@aol.com. l The St. Lucia Consulate’s Diaspora Toy Drive is underway, under the theme “One Toy Equals One Smile.” New, unwrapped toys will collected, shipped to the National Community Foundation in St. Lucia and distributed to children. All donations should be received by Nov. 27.
Toy contributions must be dropped off at the consulate in person or mailed. The address is Consulate General of St. Lucia, 800 Second Ave., 5th floor, New York, NY 10017. For information, call (212) 697-9360, ext. 203 or send email to sluconsulateny@govt.lc.
Barbuda benefit concert
The “For the Love Barbuda Benefit Concert” — a musical fund-raiser to aiding education on Hurricane Irma-battered island and starring Edwin Yearwood of Krosfyah, Shurwayne Winchester, Antigua and Barbuda's King Short Shirt — is coming to the Amazura Concert Hall, 91-12 144th Place in Queens, starting at 4 p.m.
To purchase tickets or make donations, visit www.fortheloveofbarbuda.eventbrite.com. For a list of ticket outlets in the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn and New Jersey, call (347) 635-4466.