FUNDRAISER SET FOR POLICE OFFICER PATRICIA PARETE

 

BUFFALO – Mayor Byron Brown, Police Commissioner H. McCarthy Gipson, B District Chief Donna Berry and friends and colleagues today announced a gala fundraiser to benefit Buffalo Police Officer Patricia A. Parete on Saturday, March 31, 2007 at the Buffalo Convention Center.

 

Officer Parete and her partner, Police Office Carl Andolina were shot in the line of duty on December 5, 2006 as they responded to a routine call in the City of Buffalo. Officer Parete remains hospitalized at Erie County Medical Center.

 

The Patricia A Parete Fund raising Committee was formed to coordinate the special event, which will raise money to assist Officer Parete in all of her health care-related needs.

 

Officer Andolina will serve as the Chair of the Fund raising Committee, with Mayor Brown and Commissioner Gipson serving as the Honorary Chairs. The Committee is composed of friends and colleagues of both Officer Parete and Officer Andolina, including Chief Donna Berry of B District, where both officers were assigned at the time of the incident.

 

“Patty Parete is more than a partner; she is a good friend,” said Officer Andolina. “She is a dynamic, caring, hard-working individual who has incredible passion and determination. I am honored to chair this event that will help Patty with her recovery.”

 

  

The event will feature local music acts, gift basket raffles, food stations from area restaurants and other yet-to-be announced participants.

 

“I would like to thank everyone for their support throughout the past five weeks,” said Chief Berry. “It has been an extremely difficult time for all of the personnel in B District, the entire police department, especially those people who were on duty that fateful cold night in December.   Unfortunately, this senseless gun violence has changed all of our lives forever. Nothing will ever be the same, not only for Patty and Carl, their families and friends, but for everyone in our great City.” 

 

A hotline – 851-4439 – has been set up to receive and transmit information about the event. In addition, a special e-mail address, paretefundraiser@city-buffalo.com has been created to help coordinate the flow of information for the fundraiser and regular postings will be placed on the City of Buffalo’s homepage, www.city-buffalo.com.

 

“I encourage everyone who has followed this story – from the fateful December night when Officers Parete and Andolina responded to a routine call and were forever changed by a senseless act of violence through today as both officers continue to display remarkable courage and determination – I encourage everyone to come to this special fund raising event and show their support for these two remarkable individuals, but also the entire Buffalo Police Department that makes our city a better place to live, work and raise a family,” said Mayor Brown.

 

Other ongoing and planned activities to assist Officer Parete include the Patricia A Parete Fund, PO Box 682, Kenmore, NY 14217, which was created by the Parete family, as well as a fund established in December 2006 by the Buffalo Police Benevolent Association, Inc. (for more information contact the PBA at 842-1258). An end-of-the-summer event is being planned for August that will be annual event in Buffalo, featuring a motorcycle run, music, food and other entertainment.

 

“Everyday the men and women of the Buffalo Police Department put themselves potentially in harm’s way to ensure the safety and protection of the resident’s of our city,” said Commissioner Gipson. “They are brave, they are fearless and they are dedicated professionals. Patty Parete and Carl Andolina are two police officers who have come to symbolize the remarkable courage of their fellow officers and we honor them for their service and excellent representation of the Buffalo Police Department.”