A Letter from the President
Welcome to our growing chapter, and constantly improving website linking you to a variety of fun filled opportunities. If the family environment is your pleasure, then it may very well be in your interest to read on further. This chapter seriously promotes the involvement of our family in all of our events. If you open the photo section of the site you will surely see the evidence of this. The site also has a chapter store, rides and events, and links to many useful topics.
This chapter consists of active and retired law enforcement officers, young and well, not so young, with state, local, and federal agency backgrounds. We even have a couple of members with Military Law Enforcement backgrounds, and we have several members who served in England and now live here in Central Florida. We come from all parts of the world, but we all share in a common interest, we love to ride our machines. We have Goldwings, Harleys, Sportsters, and trikes, as us not so young continue with our passion to ride. We have our rides and events posted on our website and we welcome fellow Knights, and any active or retired LEO’s to join us for a ride or visit us at our monthly meetings, which are the second Tuesday of each month at the posted location on the home page. We post many rides and events for our members to pick from, as all of us have varying obligations and commitments. I sometimes here, “our chapter doesn’t do anything”. A unique opportunity awaits you, as not only is our chapter providing the choice of events, we have nearby chapters who join our activities as well as invite our members to their functions. You may be as involved as your time and interests allow.
Our goals for 2011 were to create an even greater family oriented environment, increase the presence of the Blue Knights with our community and what we are about by building a positive and meaningful image of our Organization, improve the relationship between our Chapter and the local Law Enforcement Community, and to continue to support our local charities. This was made possible by the efforts of its members, support from local businesses, interaction with the Law Enforcement agencies, as well as the area motorcycling community.
Our accomplishments this year were plentiful.
We acquired a dress uniform for special occasions. In the spring, we had our first opportunity to wear this uniform at the Osceola Sheriff’s community day. We set up a couple tables and recruited a couple of new members, and had the opportunity to answer questions from the local community as to who we are and what we do.
Our members were granted the opportunity to attend the monthly Motor Officer Training to observe and assist with setting cones as well as having limited participation in some courses.
Our chapter is blessed with several members who are motor officer instructors as well as certified motor officers. We began training for a group of us to ride in formation style and maneuvering as a group.
Our members were allowed to control parking at the Kissimmee Law Day, and have since acquired 2 way radio’s through a donation of the Sheriff’s Office.
Our Chapter was honored to participate in the funeral precession of Sgt. Setvin the of the Sheriff’s Department.
Our chapter was called upon by a local agency to put together a benefit ride for an injured member of their department, and several thousands of dollars was raised in that event.
Our chapter helped with financial aid to a youth to spent a couple of weeks in Europe helping the locals and gaining an education on their culture and needs as well as helping sent a person to Africa to help with children in that country. We also made several contributions to local charities.
For the first time, our chapter is awarding a $500.00 scholarship to a Law Enforcement Academy student who is in financial need that meets the criteria.
We also attended several fun events through the year such as watching RC Jet aircraft that fly at over 400 miles per hour and riding on model trains over a 5 mile track.
This chapter has some extra-ordinary members who not only step up to the plate, but go above and beyond to help the chapter achieve its goals.
Our goal for 2012 is to hold an Osceola Law Ride, the first in the County, which will raise funds to assist an officer or deputy injured in the line of duty, or the family of a slain officer or deputy in Osceola County. This idea was generated from Mayor Rebecca Borders of Saint Cloud, who attended the benefit for a Saint Cloud Officer injured on duty, and was so impressed with the Blue Knights and Saint Cloud Police Department interaction.
We look forward to having you as a part of this growing chapter. Please feel free to contact me or any of our board members if you desire further information at the phone numbers or by e-mail which is listed on our home page.
Don Schaefer
President
Blue Knights Florida XXIX