Hometown Heroes
A fundraising organization plans for an arresting night with law enforcement
Positive community efforts made by Lee County law enforcement are seldom matched with awards and public recognition, but Mark Loren, of Mark Loren Designs, and other members of Rotary Club of Fort Myers South are changing that. On October 10, they will host the inaugural Law and Order Ball at the Harborside Event Center in downtown Fort Myers.
“The goal is to hold [ officers] up on a pedestal to let the community see the men and women who risk their lives for us on a daily basis,” Loren says. The longstanding Rotarian has ties to several uniformed officials through his wife’s side of the family, and he brought the idea of publicly honoring these types of individuals to his fellow committee members, who jumped at the cause.
“There’s a lot of respect that we owe these men and women who make sure we’re protected each and every day,” Connie Ramos- Williams, Fort Myers South Rotarian and media chairperson says. “It’s just one way we can all give back to them and support them for an evening.”
The gala will allow uniformed officers to attend for free, with sponsored tables covering their ticket costs. Live and silent auctions will be held amid cocktails, food and live
THERE’S A LOT OF RESPECT THAT WE OWE THESE MEN AND WOMEN WHO MAKE SURE WE’RE PROTECTED EACH AND EVERY DAY.”
— CONNIE RAMOS- WILLIAMS, FORT MYERS SOUTH ROTARIAN AND MEDIA CHAIRPERSON
entertainment, featuring retired assistant US attorney Douglas Molloy. One nominee will be named “Officer of the Year,” and earn a gold ring custom- designed by Loren.
But most of all, the event will be a chance for local agencies— including Cape Coral Police Department, Florida South-Western State College Police Department, Florida Gulf Coast University Police Department, Fort Myers Police Department, Lee County Port Authority Police, Lee County Sheriff’s Office and Sanibel Police Department— to unite for a positive celebration, which Loren says is rarely the case.
“When I first moved to Fort Myers, one of my karate instructors was a policeman that was killed in the line of duty a few months after I met him,” Loren says. When he attended the funeral, he witnessed the way men and women in blue banded together in times of need. “I’d never seen so many officers in one place at one time,” Loren recalls. “It’s time to bring law enforcement together, not for a funeral, but for a great time.”
With uniformed officials and supportive community members uniting under one roof ( which will be illuminated by red- and- blue squad car lights and decorated inside with police- related items), the event is promising to be a night for the books. Proceeds will benefit the Rotary Club of Fort Myers South Foundation and Lee County law enforcement youth programs.