Monroe Township police are filling the first set of orders for their annual Breast Cancer Awareness T-shirt fundraiser, which started early this month and runs through November.
“This is probably our third year selling shirts,” said Police Chief Craig Monohan. “We started with our officers wearing pink shirts with their uniforms and even breast cancer pins. The guys really love the shirts themselves, but this year, it is a little different.”
While every year has the meaning of hope and community pride behind it, with officers in pink shirts and wearing pink badges, this year has hit home for the department after one of its own was lost to breast cancer and another started fighting the disease nearly a year ago.
Chloey McBride, wife of Sgt. Peter McBride, had a mammogram this year that was inconclusive, but she knew in her gut something wasn’t right. After seeing another doctor, she was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and learned she needed further treatment. Instead of radiation, she opted for a double mastectomy in January.
“Everyone, and not just the department, but the officers and the families, there was not a moment that went by where I didnt feel supported,” she recalled. “These are amazing people and they are so supportive. It was a tough nine weeks, but I’m still here.”
Chloey has since participated in a Susan G. Komen Run fundraiser. To help her cause, the police department will donate money raised during its T-shirt sales to a charity of her choosing.
“There are a lot of organizations out there where the money goes towards research of preventative care,” Chloey noted. “It is really important that we also fund organizations who help people with food needs and rides to treatment centers as well.”
The department shirts went on sale at the beginning of the month, with 700 ordered, a gain of $2,700 for charity. According to Officer RJ Heffner, who helps put together annual events and other programs, the sale will resume once current orders are filled and delivered – by hand.
“The fundraiser is personal for the department and we want to make sure that people know how much we appreciate them spending their hard-earned money on something like this,” he said. “So we take pride in delivering them by hand and thanking the individuals that helped us.”
The Monroe police have other charitable efforts in the works. Starting in November, officers will participate in the yearly “No Shave November” campaign, in which officers donate money from growing out their “clean and trimmed” facial hair during that month andDecember. Funds raised will benefit individuals suffering from prostate cancer.
Moving forward into the holiday season, the department will again participate in Toys for Tots and collect coats and warm clothing for the needy.
For more information about the police department and its upcoming events, visit the Facebook Page Monroe Township Police Department (Gloucester County).
