CRANBURY: F.O.P. dinner raises funds

By Amy Batista, Special Writer
CRANBURY — Community unites to help raise funds for local police department over a meal at local restaurant.
"Our dining to donate was a huge success," said Officer and Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 68 Union Representative Michael Cipriano in an email on Nov. 20.
The event was organized by F.O.P. lodge union representatives, Officer Cipriano and Sgt. Douglas Mayer and was held at Teddy’s Restaurant on Nov. 14.
People were encouraged to come eat breakfast, lunch and dinner and Teddy’s would donate 10% of their check to support the Cranbury Police F.O.P.
"We raised just over $800 for the day which was a real success," he said.
The money will be used to fund venues like our National Night Out, Toys for Tots, and help the department sponsor local sports like Cranbury Little League and one of the largest charity’s the lodge is part of, The Special Olympics, as well as scholarships at Cranbury Elementary School and Princeton High school, he said.
He said the inspiration for the event was to continue its fundraising efforts and to let the residents and continued police and F.O.P. supporters know that they are always out there to assist the community in any way possible.
"We thought what a better way to continue with these efforts then to team up with a local staple of the community Teddy’s Restaurant and its owner, George Nikitiades, who has been a friend and supporter of the police and F.O.P. for many years," he said.
He said nine of their members were there throughout the day and along with their families.
For him, the highlight of the event was watching the community interact with all the members of the departments and the overwhelming support we received by the community.
All the supports spoke highly of the event and we received many comments from residents that want to see us out there holding more events like this.
"We want to take this time to thank everyone that came out to support Cranbury Police F.O.P. Lodge No. 68 and made this event a huge success," he said.