More than 625 people packed the Arnold Eagles Club and Hall on March 25 for the second annual Back the Blue Trivia Night.
The Arnold Police Officers Association and Leader Publications put on the event, which raised $24,400 for the association and BackStoppers, said Kevin Wilson, the APAO’s vice president and the Fox C-6 School District school resource officer.
“It exceeded my expectations,” Wilson said. “Having the support of the community is amazing. The fact that the money we raised is going to good causes is even better. The money will go to BackStoppers to help injured first responders and children in need, and that just makes this more special.”
The association will donate $10,000 to BackStoppers and use the rest to fund and support other community events and charities, like the APAO’s Shop with a Hero program, which is held in December and offers children in need the chance to shop with a first-responder for Christmas gifts, Wilson said.
Sixty teams of up to 10 people played in the 10-round trivia contest.
A team made up of Erica Treis, Quentin Sladek, Jim Goss, Heidi Goss, Susan Graham, John Graham, Shannon Otto, Robert Otto, Steve Holt and Jennifer Holt won the contest, sharing a $400 cash prize.
The night also included a 50-50 drawing and raffles, with a Savage Arms Mark II FXP 22 Bolt-Action rifle, a four-burner Nexgrill griddle and numerous prize baskets raffled off.
“It was another great night,” Leader publisher Peggy Scott said. “Everyone had fun, and the event raised money for very good causes. The Leader is thrilled that the partnership with the Arnold Police Officers Association has created such a special event, and we are so happy that the community has supported this trivia night as enthusiastically as it has.”
The first trivia night was held in the Arnold-Meramec Elks in Imperial and 420 played.
“I keep using the word incredible because I can’t think of a better word,” Wilson said of the event’s growth. “We were grateful to have it at the Elks; they were very generous. The Eagles have been very generous as well. This is a larger venue that allows us to seat more people, which is great. We are just grateful to have the partnerships in the community that make this successful.”
Wilson said the APOA plans to hold a third trivia night next year, also in March, and he said the event likely will remain in the Arnold Eagles.
“I think this will be where we will stay,” he said. “I think everyone had a blast.”
The APOA’s next fundraiser will be the Arnold Pumpkin Run 5K and 1-mile Walk on Oct. 14 at Arnold City Park.
“We are teaming up with the Arnold Food Pantry to do the Pumpkin Run,” he said. “The funds raised will help us and the food pantry.”