The Middletown Police Department gives a large check to the Gloria Gemma Foundation Thursday to help with its campaign against cancer.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Matt Sheley at (401) 712-2221 or msheley@middletownri.com
BRINGING AWARENESS
MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (NOVEMBER 18, 2021) – The Middletown Police Department handed a $1,390 check to the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation Thursday.
The money was raised through the sale of limited-edition Middletown Police baseball caps, with the goal of helping find a cure for cancer.
Since it was created in 2004, the Gloria Gemma Foundation has raised money across the region to directly assist families fighting cancer, whether it’s delivering meals and food to helping with rent and related bills.
Accepting a check from Middletown Police Records Clerk Tanya Rocchio in the Police Station’s Kempenaar Community Room, Maria Gemma said the donation from Middletown Police goes further than anyone could imagine.
“This helps us continue to support local families with all sorts of services to help in their fight against cancer,” Gemma said. “Sometimes, it can be something as simple as providing a cooked meal for dinner so there’s one less thing to think about after a day of treatment.”
Like many other nonprofits, Gemma said the COVID-19 pandemic was tough on the Gloria Gemma Foundation, but the group’s good work continues. To give directly to the Gloria Gemma Foundation, visit https://www.gloriagemma.orgonline.
“A lot of people don’t realize this, but COVID cut our funding in half,” Gemma said. “Much of what we do is based around fundraisers and when we can’t get together, it’s difficult to raise money for all the necessary causes. That’s why donations like this are so important to us.”
Rocchio said she was proud to be part of such an important and worthy cause. Capt. Jason Ryan assisted with the idea for the hats, which were made by Blowfish Embroidery on Aquidneck Avenue.
“Bringing awareness to this amazing cause gives patients and their families support from the community during an extremely tough time,” Rocchio said. “It’s showing that we have their six and they are not in this battle alone. This has been such an honor and pleasure to help bring awareness and raise money with my Middletown Police family. I could not have asked for a better group of people to do this with.”
Chief William Kewer agreed, applauding Rocchio by name for her work organizing the event, as well as the rest of the department and community, which really stepped up.
“Tonya did an outstanding job again getting everyone to rally around the cause,” Kewer said. “Last year, it was pins and this year it was the specialty designed hats. There was a lot of buy-in with this and we want to thank everyone who was involved. This is part of what makes Middletown such a great place.”
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