By CONNOR HOLMES
published in the Cape Coral Daily Breeze 8/29/09
Cape Coral police officers are taking off their shirts to help a member of their family.
It sounds strange, but that's the idea behind a 2010 calendar featuring musclebound male officers in the Cape Coral Police Department, including SWAT and motorcycle patrolmen, set to be released to the public this October.
About 1,000 calendars featuring pictures taken by Nocera Photo-graphic will sell for $10 each, mimicking the fund-raising efforts of previous Cape Coral SWAT Team and Fire Department calendars. The money raised will be donated to the family of motorcycle officer Damien Garcia, who was critically injured in a crash June 2.
Garcia continues his paced recovery in a Miami hospital.
"Damien's trudging along and he's still here with us and he's fighting," said motorcycle officer Ray Schilke III, who posed for the calendar Friday at the Cape Coral Yacht Club. "He's making positive steps every day. I'm hearing that he's moving his fingers, he's counting, he's taking steps.
Schilke said the doctors weren't sure Garcia would make it through the night after he collided with an SUV on Cultural Park Boulevard, but Garcia's recovery has been steadfast.
"We are very confident that he's going to pull through, but it's going to be a very very long process," Schilke said. "He might need a nurse by his side for an extended period of time, constant care, until he can figure things out. He might need to go to a special rehab. We don't know what he's going to need because, fortunately, this is the first time this has happened to anyone in our family. We want to raise as much money as we can. We don't want finances to be the reason he can't get the full potential rehabilitation he deserves."
Schilke considers Garcia his brother.
"He's a motor officer and so am I, and I know that anybody out there would do this for a family member of theirs," he said. "It's no different for us."
Officers have to diet and work out on a strict regimen to prepare for the calendar shoots, Schilke said.
"I'm a very short guy and I've never really been in that great of shape, so this has definitely been a little bit different for me," he said. "I'm in the best shape of my life. For me, I'm very happy with the results I got. I worked really hard, I ate real good and I'm pretty happy with it."
Schilke was in the Army prior to joining the police department, and understands the value of fitness.
"To me, physical fitness is very important to doing your job. On the bike I sweat probably a gallon a day," he said.
Several Cape Coral companies have donated to the project, including Barbara Watts of Century 21 Realty.
"As soon as the name Damien Garcia came up, nobody even batted an eye, they said sign me up, what do you need from us, we're going to help you out," he said. "It makes me proud to serve this city just because even in these hard times everybody stood up to help a member of our city."
Schilke said he felt especially indebted to Watts, who offered to pay for the printing.
"I just want to go find her and give her a huge hug," he said.
Schilke hopes he'll be featured for June. "That's when my wife's birthday is," he said.
Cherilyn Nocera has photographed several officers for the calendar, including Schilke and others at the Yacht Club. Nocera will take a group photograph at the new Cape Coral Police Headquarters Saturday, in memory of Sept. 11. She is donating her time to the calendar shoot.
"They've been dieting for months and months now so it makes it very difficult for them to be comfortable in front of the camera," Nocera said. "They have to hold their muscles tight, they haven't eaten yet this morning or drank any water."
Nocera also shot the calendars for the SWAT Team and Fire Department free of charge, and currently is offering free pet photos for donations of cat and dog food to the Humane Society.
"My business has done so well in this county for the past 20 years," she said. "It's just a feeling of wanting to give back."
After Schilke posed shirtless against his motorcycle, propped on a sidewalk with the palms and Caloosahatchee behind him, he guzzled his Gatorade and looked forward to eating buffalo wings later in the evening.
"It's the only thing on my mind," he said.
Showing posts with label injured. Show all posts
Showing posts with label injured. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Monday, July 6, 2009
Approximately $4,200 collected for injured officer
By CONNOR HOLMES
published in the Cape Coral Daily Breeze 6/4/09
The family of injured motorcycle officer Damien Garcia is now $4,200 closer to putting Garcia's 7-year-old daughter through college, or to fulfilling other monetary obligations they might have.
That is because of the efforts of Garcia's friend and avid motorcyclist Dave Lawler, the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 33 and the giving nature of Garcia's community.
Saturday, motorcyclists rumbled through Cape Coral with purpose and kinship in their hearts; they rode on behalf of Garcia, and each had donated their money and time to show their support.
The event was a fund raiser planned by Lawler with the help of the FOP, which ended at GEO's Italian Restaurant on Pine Island Road.
Officers gathered again with Lawler Thursday as he presented the FOP with a check for about $4,200.
"His family is very grateful for this event, for the community coming together," said Cape Coral police Sgt. Robert Wardrop. "It means a lot to them, and to us also."
The check will be deposited into a "special needs account" opened at TIB Bank.
"We're very positive," Wardrop said. "Our prayers our continuing."
Lawler said the outcome of the fundraiser exceeded his expectations, and is heartened by the amount of support.
"The day of the ride, I couldn't even believe how many people showed up," Lawler said.
"I was dumfounded. I turned around and just saw bikes wrapped around the building. It was more than I could ask for."
Lawler, a friend of Garcia's and a fellow motorcyclist, felt compelled to help Garcia's family by organizing the fund raiser.
"Damien's been a good friend of mine for the past two years," he said. "He's a super, super great guy. When this accident happened, it just felt like something I had to do."
His outlook on Garcia's recovery is a positive one.
"He's doing a lot better," Lawler said. "Progress is slow, but we're just happy he's alive."
Another fund raiser on behalf of Garcia will be held Saturday at Lowes Home Improvement Center on Pine Island Road from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The benefit will include a dunk tank, classic car show, Cape Coral Fire Department truck display and raffles, according to city spokesperson Connie Barron.
The store will also collect money through a bucket drive.
published in the Cape Coral Daily Breeze 6/4/09
The family of injured motorcycle officer Damien Garcia is now $4,200 closer to putting Garcia's 7-year-old daughter through college, or to fulfilling other monetary obligations they might have.
That is because of the efforts of Garcia's friend and avid motorcyclist Dave Lawler, the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 33 and the giving nature of Garcia's community.
Saturday, motorcyclists rumbled through Cape Coral with purpose and kinship in their hearts; they rode on behalf of Garcia, and each had donated their money and time to show their support.
The event was a fund raiser planned by Lawler with the help of the FOP, which ended at GEO's Italian Restaurant on Pine Island Road.
Officers gathered again with Lawler Thursday as he presented the FOP with a check for about $4,200.
"His family is very grateful for this event, for the community coming together," said Cape Coral police Sgt. Robert Wardrop. "It means a lot to them, and to us also."
The check will be deposited into a "special needs account" opened at TIB Bank.
"We're very positive," Wardrop said. "Our prayers our continuing."
Lawler said the outcome of the fundraiser exceeded his expectations, and is heartened by the amount of support.
"The day of the ride, I couldn't even believe how many people showed up," Lawler said.
"I was dumfounded. I turned around and just saw bikes wrapped around the building. It was more than I could ask for."
Lawler, a friend of Garcia's and a fellow motorcyclist, felt compelled to help Garcia's family by organizing the fund raiser.
"Damien's been a good friend of mine for the past two years," he said. "He's a super, super great guy. When this accident happened, it just felt like something I had to do."
His outlook on Garcia's recovery is a positive one.
"He's doing a lot better," Lawler said. "Progress is slow, but we're just happy he's alive."
Another fund raiser on behalf of Garcia will be held Saturday at Lowes Home Improvement Center on Pine Island Road from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The benefit will include a dunk tank, classic car show, Cape Coral Fire Department truck display and raffles, according to city spokesperson Connie Barron.
The store will also collect money through a bucket drive.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Bank account is opened for family of injured officer; Community expressed need to help by giving
By CONNOR HOLMES
published in the Cape Coral Daily Breeze 6/5/09
It seems that as each day passes with injured Cape Coral motorcycle officer Damien Garcia fighting to recover from an accident, the support of officers and his community only becomes stronger and more organized.
The Fraternal Order of Police in Cape Coral has set up a "Special Needs Account" at TIB Bank for Garcia's family in response to the community's outspoken desire to help.
According to city spokesperson Connie Barron, "Officers with the Cape Coral Police Department have been receiving calls from various individuals and groups asking how they can donate funds to help assist the family of critically-injured Cape Coral Police Officer Damien Garcia."
Garcia's motorcycle collided with an SUV on Cultural Park Boulevard Tuesday afternoon, and he was trauma-alerted to Lee Memorial Hospital with critical injuries. As he remained in critical condition Thursday, Garcia's family from Miami stayed in Fort Myers to support him.
The Special Needs Account, Barron said, will offer monetary aid to Garcia's family. Family members have not requested assistance, however the account has been opened for those who feel a need to help.
"The family of Officer Garcia and the officers with the Cape Coral Police Department appreciate all the kind words and support offered by the citizens of Cape Coral, and our brothers and sisters in the law enforcement community," she said. "Let's stay positive and keep Officer Garcia in our prayers."
Those wishing to donate can do so by cash or check at any TIB Bank location to the Special Needs Account, C/O FOP Lodge 33.
published in the Cape Coral Daily Breeze 6/5/09
It seems that as each day passes with injured Cape Coral motorcycle officer Damien Garcia fighting to recover from an accident, the support of officers and his community only becomes stronger and more organized.
The Fraternal Order of Police in Cape Coral has set up a "Special Needs Account" at TIB Bank for Garcia's family in response to the community's outspoken desire to help.
According to city spokesperson Connie Barron, "Officers with the Cape Coral Police Department have been receiving calls from various individuals and groups asking how they can donate funds to help assist the family of critically-injured Cape Coral Police Officer Damien Garcia."
Garcia's motorcycle collided with an SUV on Cultural Park Boulevard Tuesday afternoon, and he was trauma-alerted to Lee Memorial Hospital with critical injuries. As he remained in critical condition Thursday, Garcia's family from Miami stayed in Fort Myers to support him.
The Special Needs Account, Barron said, will offer monetary aid to Garcia's family. Family members have not requested assistance, however the account has been opened for those who feel a need to help.
"The family of Officer Garcia and the officers with the Cape Coral Police Department appreciate all the kind words and support offered by the citizens of Cape Coral, and our brothers and sisters in the law enforcement community," she said. "Let's stay positive and keep Officer Garcia in our prayers."
Those wishing to donate can do so by cash or check at any TIB Bank location to the Special Needs Account, C/O FOP Lodge 33.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Motorcycle officer remains in hospital after Tuesday crash; Authorities: Still critical
By CONNOR HOLMES
published in the Cape Coral Daily Breeze 6/4/09
If tragedy reveals one's true colors, the blue and yellow striped Cape Coral police cruisers crowding the Lee Memorial Hospital parking lot reveal a lot about the city's officers, who are visiting critically injured motorcycle officer Damien Garcia around the clock.
Garcia's motorcycle collided with an SUV on rain-soaked Cultural Park Boulevard Tuesday afternoon. He was trauma alerted to the hospital.
Police Chief Rob Petrovich is among those visiting Garcia in his hospital room and praying for his health.
"We're not talking more than 24 hours since this occurred, so we're still in the onset of a terrible tragedy," he said. "I stayed here until about 2:30 in the morning and it seemed bleak at that time."
Garcia remains critical, but Petrovich said there was reason for relative optimism Wednesday afternoon.
"I came in this morning and we were a little more optimistic," he said. "There's hope. As long as there's hope and he's still alive, we need to keep him in our prayers and thoughts, but it's been a roller coaster."
Officers are keeping vigil with Garcia and members of the public, and other agencies have left messages and telephone calls in support of his recovery.
"Sometimes the little things can help along the way and make a difference," Petrovich said. "You want to come here, you want to be near it, you want to somehow feel you're making a difference."
Aside from his brothers and sisters in law enforcement, Garcia's family members came to see him as well.
Garcia has been an officer with the Cape Coral Police Department since February 2006.
"A good officer, well thought of by his peer group," Petrovich said. "I don't know what else to say about Damien other than the fact that he's in our prayers and we want him to get well again and come back."
published in the Cape Coral Daily Breeze 6/4/09
If tragedy reveals one's true colors, the blue and yellow striped Cape Coral police cruisers crowding the Lee Memorial Hospital parking lot reveal a lot about the city's officers, who are visiting critically injured motorcycle officer Damien Garcia around the clock.
Garcia's motorcycle collided with an SUV on rain-soaked Cultural Park Boulevard Tuesday afternoon. He was trauma alerted to the hospital.
Police Chief Rob Petrovich is among those visiting Garcia in his hospital room and praying for his health.
"We're not talking more than 24 hours since this occurred, so we're still in the onset of a terrible tragedy," he said. "I stayed here until about 2:30 in the morning and it seemed bleak at that time."
Garcia remains critical, but Petrovich said there was reason for relative optimism Wednesday afternoon.
"I came in this morning and we were a little more optimistic," he said. "There's hope. As long as there's hope and he's still alive, we need to keep him in our prayers and thoughts, but it's been a roller coaster."
Officers are keeping vigil with Garcia and members of the public, and other agencies have left messages and telephone calls in support of his recovery.
"Sometimes the little things can help along the way and make a difference," Petrovich said. "You want to come here, you want to be near it, you want to somehow feel you're making a difference."
Aside from his brothers and sisters in law enforcement, Garcia's family members came to see him as well.
Garcia has been an officer with the Cape Coral Police Department since February 2006.
"A good officer, well thought of by his peer group," Petrovich said. "I don't know what else to say about Damien other than the fact that he's in our prayers and we want him to get well again and come back."
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