The Arnold Police Officers Association raised approximately $47,000 from its fourth annual Back the Blue Trivia Night, topping last year’s total by about $16,000, said Arnold Police Officer Kevin Wilson, the association’s president.
The fundraising event is organized by the APOA and Leader Publications.
“It was our best year ever,” said Wilson, who works as a school resource officer for Fox High School. “Each year, we are getting new business sponsorships, and our momentum grows each year. I think the sky is the limit as long as we keep doing what we are doing.”
More than 400 people attended the event, which featured a 10-round trivia contest, seven-item live auction, a grand prize raffle for three items, raffles for 25 prize baskets, drawings for attendance prizes and a 50/50 drawing.
The team of Emily Schmiedeke, Tim Schmiedeke, Ryan Jennemann, Becky Jennemann, Mark Gelsthorpe, Holly Lincoln, Denise Lincoln, Reid Hoss, Amy Berra and Matt Berra won the trivia contest, which Todd Morgan of KSHE95 95.5 FM emceed.
Former St. Louis Blues player Reed Low was the auctioneer for the live auction, which raised $10,900 for the APOA.
Wilson said having well-known area personalities participate in the event helps add excitement.
“These people who step in and help us believe in our mission,” he said. “They know we are trying to build a stronger community through what we are doing.”
Proceeds from the event are used to fund the APOA’s Shop with a Hero Program, which has first responders accompany children during a Christmas shopping spree, as well as the organization’s benevolent fund, which provides financial support to families of first responders who are injured or sick; and other community projects the nonprofit police organization holds.
Members of the Arnold Police Department, Rock Community Fire Protection District, Rock Township Ambulance District and Jefferson County 911 Dispatch shopped with 162 children during last year’s Shop with a Hero event, with each child receiving a $100 gift card to shop at the Arnold Walmart.
“It is wonderful to be able to continue to help the APOA every year and support their efforts to give back to the community,” Leader publisher Peggy Scott said.
Josh Wilson won the top item in the grand prize raffle, a Green Mountain Grills Ledge pellet grill, along with a $100 gift card to Fireside Hearth and Home store and a $150 VISA gift card.
Ward 3 City Councilman Rodney Mullins won the second prize, a 65-inch Samsung television and $100 VISA gift card; and Nichole Meyer won the third prize, two St. Louis Cardinals baseball tickets and a $50 VISA gift card.
Jake Fantasia won the 50/50 drawing. He insisted the APOA keep all but $100 of the $1,357 prize money, netting the organization a total of $2,614 from ticket sales for the drawing.
“It goes to show there are so many good people in this world,” said Kevin Wilson, adding that the APOA does not expect participants to return prizes. “For Jake to want to return this money back to us is heartwarming to see.”
Wilson said the APOA continues to be impressed by the community support it receives for its trivia night, which sold out this year in January.
“We have been really trying to expand our community outreach,” he said. “This will allow us to explore new options of how to help families and officers within our department. It is great to see that we are growing each and every year.”
The APOA’s next scheduled fundraising event will be its annual car and bike show that is held in September during Arnold Days.
More than 400 people turned out for the annual Back the Blue trivia night, raising about $47,000 for the Arnold Police Officers Association. Video by Leader photographers Ron and Lisa Rigdon.