Photo courtesy joealbertan.blogspot.com
Giving Season
The Belleville Police Service want to remind folks to be cautious as to what organizations you contribute to as some people unfortunately take advantage of citizens’ extra giving nature this time of year. Below are two organizations that have been soliciting on behalf of police. One is legitimate and one is not
PAST RELEASE FROM OPP – SCAM
OPP warns about a teddy bear fund scam.
The Ontario Provincial Police are warning the public about a scam involving people pretending to be from the OPP.
In a release, the OPP stated that several detachments have received inquiries from residents asking about police related organizations calling to solicit funds for teddy bears.
“While many OPP officers are involved in worthy charities on their personal time, the OPP is advising the public that it does not solicit funds from members of the public for its Community Bear Program or any other OPP program,” the release states.
OPP officers give black and white teddy bears to children they encounter when faced with traumatic situations such as motor vehicle collisions.
The OPP is reminding people to verify the legitimacy of any organization that calls to solicit funds from the public
PAST RELEASE FROM POLICE RETIRIES OF ONTARIO – LEGITIMATE
The Police Retirees of Ontario Incorporated (P.R.O.) was founded in 1992, by retired police officers for the purpose of establishing an organization with a mandate of assisting Police Services through creating awareness and advocacy and to assist police retirees throughout Ontario. At the end of our fiscal year surplus funds are donated to victim service and children’s charities across the province.
Since 1992, the P.R.O. has been able to donate in excess of $1,000,000 to victim service and children-oriented causes and charities throughout Ontario. This year we are continuing our province wide campaign to support children in need. This campaign will allow us to continue our distribution of “P.R.O Teddy Bears” to emergency services that work with children. Teddy bears assist emergency service personnel and children’s organizations provide comfort to children that are going through traumatic situations.
While this program is not in affiliation with your organization or detachment, you may receive calls from the public inquiring about the program. Please help us make this program a success in two ways; first by ensuring that any officers receiving calls from the public are aware of the program, and secondly by contacting us if you know of children’s services which would benefit by receiving Teddy Bears to assist with crisis situations.
You can call our campaign office and speak to Karen Lintner 905-540-9550 ext 27 at any time if you have any questions or concerns.
Please visit www.policeretireesofontario.com to view our “beyond the badge” magazine as well as to get more information regarding our organization.
Sincerely,
Wendy Cummins
Co-Chair Person
Police Retirees of Ontario Inc.
