Local Community Steps Up Big Time to Protect Officers with Donated PopShields
Nothing appeals to the emotions of a community more than supporting those who protect and serve.
This sentiment spoke bounds of truth during the inaugural “Skate with a Cop” held February 7 at Skateaway in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
The event was created by Brian Feist – on behalf of Shield Technology Inc., creator of the PopShield – and local business owner and DJ Donnie Evans.
The goal of the event was to get as many PopShields – deployable bulletproof shields that weight just 6 pounds each – into the possession of as many law enforcement members as possible.
Skate with a Cop brought the best out of local businesses and community sponsors that purchased a PopShield at a discounted rate and donated it to the law enforcement of their choice.
When the event began, at most Feist and Evans expected to the community to support five PopShields.
This number more than quadrupled; when Skate with a Cop wrapped up, a total of 62 shields were donated.
But additional sponsors have stepped up after reading about the event in local news reports, and that number is expected to grow quickly.
Over 600 people were present, including local politicians and nearly 20 different local police departments, some bringing along K-9 Units and nearly all in full uniform. Also, around 20 service vehicles were on display in the Skateaway parking lot.
Before the community actually got to skate with a cop, State Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre, sang the national anthem. The local community’s spirit was high, and as the three-hour event continued, numerous participants made additional donations, including Brenda Pugh, the CEO of AMP Global Strategies.
Pugh was the sponsorship leader. She was responsible for a total of 19 PopShield donations.
Following is a breakdown of the business and community members that supported Skate with a Cop and ultimately their local law enforcement:
Sponsors | PopShields Donated | Law Enforcement Townships/Cities |
Amp Global Strategies | 7 | Dallas, Jackson Twp., Lehman Twp., Edwardsville, Jenkins Twp., Hanover Twp., Hazleton |
JVC Kenwood | 5 | West Hazleton, Wilkes-Barre City (2), Hazleton (2) |
Dr. Francis Collini | 3 | Harveys Lake, Kingston Twp., Dallas Twp. |
J&L Towing (Used Auto Parts INC) | 3 | Plymouth, Swoyersville, Forty-Fort |
Amp Global Strategies | 2 | Harveys Lake and Kingston Twp. |
Kaharchik Construction | 2 | Exeter |
MMS Home Care Staffing | 2 | Courtdale, Larksville |
Skateaway | 2 | Wilkes-Barre Twp. (2) |
ABC Hauling | 1 | Kingston |
Adrienne Pugh-Eyet | 1 | Dallas Twp. |
Alan & Brenda Pugh | 1 | Dallas Twp. |
Bonner Chevrolet | 1 | Kingston Twp. |
Cefalo Law Firm | 1 | West Pittston |
Clean Force 1 | 1 | Rice Twp. |
Comitz Law Firm | 1 | Wilkes-Barre City |
Cross Valley Credit Union | 1 | Plains Twp. |
Dr. Joe and Beth Ridilla/ Connie Plewniak | 1 | Wilkes-Barre Township |
Friends of Karen Boback | 1 | Harveys Lake |
Guyette Communications | 1 | Larksville |
Hallmark homes -Francis Pedriani | 1 | Rice Twp. |
Kingston Huskeys Jr. Football | 1 | Kingston |
La Tolteca, Wilkes-Barre | 1 | Wilkes-Barre Twp. |
Law Office of Frank Nocito LLC | 1 | Kingston |
Lisa Walsh | 1 | Sugar Notch |
Natalie Harth Roofing | 1 | Nanticoke |
The Pest Rangers | 1 | Hanover Twp. |
Realtor Leslie Livingston | 1 | Forty-Fort |
Reilly & Associates Realty, Inc | 1 | West Pittston |
Robs Pub and Grub | 1 | Larksville |
Stell Enterprises | 1 | Pittston Twp. |
Vinsko & Associates Law Firm | 1 | Wilkes-Barre |
Visiting Angels- Nepa Homecare | 1 | Wyoming |
William Eck | 1 | Kingston Twp. |
William Grant | 1 | Dallas Twp. |
Yeager Insurance Agency LLC | 1 | Forty-Fort |
901 Barber Shop | 0.5 | West Wyoming |
Bellio Plumbing and Heating | 0.5 | Kingston |
Granteeds Lawn Service | 0.5 | West Wyoming |
KOC- Pittston- Redemptoris Custos Assembly 3755 | 0.5 | Pittston City |
Pat Munley | 0.5 | Wright Twp. |
St. Joseph Marello KofC Council 16071 Knight’s of Columbus | 0.5 | Pittston City |
Style Tee- Hair Salon | 0.5 | Wright Twp. |
The Strange and Unusual | 0.5 | Kingston |
Also contributing donations towards additional shields were:
- 570Drones (videos and a shield to Plymouth Borough)
- Vesuvio Pizzeria
- Atty Girard Mecadon
- Ed Pashinski
- Falzone Towing Service
- George Brown
- Julie Sitkowski
- Kevin Smith
- Samantha Zimmerman
- Valley Power Equipment
- Wright Twp Police Officers Association
- Main Storage Swoyersville
- Mike Smith Used Tires
- Rainbow Jewelers
- Voiteks TV Sales and services
- May Brands
- Jack Williams Tire & Auto Service Centers
Pizza Bella donated all of the pizza, and local content marketing firm ContentMender is donating patches for each PopShield that was donated.
For sponsorship opportunities or to begin thinking about having a similar event in your area, contact Brian Feist via email.
Post contributed by ContentMender, an SEO-Driven Content Marketing agency.