Wives of Blue to hold fundraiser
Like the bond of the thin blue line that connects their husbands, there is a bond that connects the wives of police officers.
That bond between some local police wives is evident as they reach out to help Lynsay Fox, of New Hanover, whose husband, Plymouth Police Officer Bradley Fox, was killed in the line of duty earlier this month.
“We really wanted to do something to help her. We don’t want her to feel alone. We wanted her to know that other police officers’ wives are there for her,” said Colleen Popiny, wife of Telford Police Officer Brett M. Popiny.
Popiny and Jennifer Seville, wife of Telford Police Officer Robert Seville, through their recently formed organization, The Wives of Blue, are sponsoring a fundraiser for the Fox family. The organization was formed earlier this year to support police officers’ wives and their families.
“The wives are united as one just like the brothers in blue. We know we can’t take her pain away but hopefully, we can ease some of her burdens,” said Popiny, referring to the tragedy suffered
by Lynsay Fox. “We just want to help them and the Plymouth Township Police Department during this tragic time and beyond.”
The event is scheduled to be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 6 at 100 Penn Ave., Telford, which is the parking lot of the Telford Police Department. The rain date is Oct. 7.
During the fundraiser, the OffiFHr BrDG Fox SDrDForG ErDFHOHW, which will include Fox’s badge number, can be purchased for $30 and other paracord bracelets and keychains will be available for purchase at $15 and $25. Cash donations and gift cards will also be accepted for Fox’s family.
The black- and blue-threaded paracords are ideal for miliWDry, firH, SoOLFH DnG HPHrgHnFy medical responders and those involved in outdoor sports such as hunting, hiking or climb- ing, Popiny said. The paracord bracelets, manufactured by New Life Survivor, could be used in survival situations if needed, offiFLDOV VDLG.
Each paracord can hold up to 550 pounds. By unraveling the product, one can use the cord as well as the inner strands to tie things together to make a raft or create a tourniquet, among other uses, Popiny said.
The fundraising event will also feature activities for children.
Fox, who was fatally shot in the line of duty Sept. 13 after investigating a hit-and-run crash and while pursuing the suspect, LV WKH firVW 3OyPouWK oIfiFHr HYHr to die in the line of duty. Fox, who was killed a day before his 35th birthday, is survived by his pregnant wife, Lynsay, and their daughter, Kadence. Fox was a .-9 oIfiFHr Ior WKH GHSDrWPHnW.
“This whole thing really hits home,” said Popiny, whose KuVEDnG KDV EHHn D SoOLFH oIfi- cer for 12 years, three of those years with Telford and several in Phoenixville. “Every day, our husbands leave and we don’t know if they’re coming home.”
In a bizarre twist, Popiny and Seville formed The Wives of Blue just days before Fox’s death. The Oct. 6 fundraiser is WKH VuSSorW grouS’V firVW IunGraising initiative.
Popiny said the group was formed to give the wives of poOLFH oIfiFHrV DnG WKHLr IDPLOLHV D place to turn to for support.
“,W’V KDrG EHLng D SoOLFH oIficer’s wife. It’s lonely. It’s scary, and yet it’s rewarding because your husband is a hero,” said Popiny, who also works as a photographer for the National 7DFWLFDO 2IfiFHrV $VVoFLDWLon.
More information about The WLYHV oI BOuH DnG D flLHr rHgDrGing the fundraiser are available on the organization’s Facebook page or by emailing the group at thewivesofblue@yahoo.com.