Breaking News

The Signal 30 Benefit Fund is thrilled to report that for the sixth consecutive year, we have raised over $1,000,000.  In fact, we are on target to raise close to $1.75 million for 2019 to support the courageous members of the New York State Police and their families in extraordinary circumstances such as line-of-duty death, illness, injury, and loss of residences to fires or floods. There is no doubt that our continued fundraising success would not be possible without the generous support of our loyal Signal 30 Board of Directors and Trustees. The combination of our fundraising events, alone, raised approximately $744,000 with the remainder of the money coming from on-line donations, funds designated for Troopers, Director and Trustee contributions and 3^rd party events. We also sincerely appreciate the NYS Troopers who designate donations to the Signal 30 Benefit Fund through their paychecks. With your continued support, we look forward to another banner year in 2020.

2019 Year in Review

In 2019, we proudly assisted NYS Troopers and their families in need by providing funds for medical treatments not covered by medical insurance, travel expenses to seek medical treatment away from their homes, and other expenses that arose due to many unforeseen circumstances.

During the past year, the Signal 30 Benefit Fund assisted Troopers and their families with emergency bills amounting to $110,000.  Some of the reasons for these grants were family illnesses and deaths, medical procedures not covered by insurance, and loss of property due to fire and flooding.  The Signal 30 Fund has participated in various fundraising events over the course of the year totaling $174,000 in donations to other charities in support of our fellow law enforcement agencies.

Another important goal of the Signal 30 Fund is to provide support to the families of Troopers who have died either on duty or off duty.  In furtherance of this goal, we paid $25,000 to the families of our Members who passed away in 2019 to assist with funeral and burial costs. 
In total, the Signal 30 Benefit Fund distributed $300,000 to date during the 2019 calendar year.

NYS Troopers PBA Scholarship Fund

This year, The NYS Troopers PBA Scholarship Fund received a total of 134 applications.  We awarded a total of 57 scholarships: (1)-$5,000 Silver Shield Foundation Scholarship, (1) IMO Paul Gerry Scholarship, (1) IMO of Trooper Nicholas Clark, (2) $4,000 NY Centurion Foundation Scholarships, and 25 PBA scholarships.  In addition, the Sgt. Jeffry T. Edelson memorial Scholarship received 39 applications and The Edelson Family awarded 22 scholarships for $1,500 each. 

Troopers we lost in 2019

We are saddened to report that the New York State Troopers PBA lost one member of its trooper family in 2019.  On August 10, 2019, retired Sgt/SC Jeffrey Cicora passed away from a 9/11-related illness.  Thank you for all of your support to the family.  We are truly blessed to have such a strong support system in place for the families during these difficult times. Please refer to the PBA website’s page titled “The Ultimate Sacrifice” for a chronological list of members who have been killed in the line of duty. Here’s the link to follow- https://www.nystpba.org/the-ultimate-sacrifice/ 

Saratoga Golf Tournament- a Huge Success

The 10th Annual Signal 30 Benefit Fund Golf Tournament held on September 18^th 2019 at Saratoga National Golf Club surpassed our fundraising goals and was a tremendous success. According to those that participated in the post-event survey, it was a “well-orchestrated event” with “awesome prizes, great food and great golf”. We had 230 golfers who enjoyed the great venue, the food provided by Angelo Mazzone and the beverages provided by DeCrescente Distributing Co. and Heineken. This year’s Yeti raffle was a huge hit and according to one golfer “The prizes were top notch and indicative of a quality event”.  Everyone also seemed to love the Peter Millar Jackets that were given out as token of our gratitude for supporting this fantastic event.

We would like to sincerely thank our sponsors who helped make this a record breaking year: Title Sponsor: DeCrescente Distributing Co., Ryder Cup Sponsor: Sanford Family Financial of Raymond James; the Masters Sponsors: Ayco Company, Fred’s Tents and Canopies, Inc., Mediacom Communications Corporation, Empire Forklift, Inc., DiMarco Group, Steve Giordano Builders, Keith Jones, Evolution Concrete Pumping, LVW Advisors, Local Union 15, Suffolk County AME, NJ NCO, PBANYC, RES Exhibit Services, BBL Construction Services, Big Top Tent Rentals, Law Firm of Alex Dell, and Wilmorite Corporation; and the US Open Sponsors: Eidlin – Kilmer + Assoc / Merrill Lynch, Monticello Motor Club and United Legwear and Apparel Co. Thanks to the continued generous support of all our sponsors and attendees, the event raised $240,000.

Once again, thank you for your support of Signal 30 Benefit Fund and we look forward to the 11^th Annual Golf Tournament on Tuesday, September 22^nd, 2020 so mark your calendars and be sure to sign up early!

New Trustees Elected at the October Board Meeting

Congratulations to the following trustees who were elected at the October 30th Board meeting. We look forward to them joining the Signal 30 Benefit Fund: Alan Wilzig, Brett Rosen, James Schmitt, Jason Berger, Louie Bivone, Richard Carvotta, Robert Derector, Mark Giordano, Daniel Graham and Peter Schottland.

Executive Board Re-Election

Congratulations to the following officers who were re-elected for another 3-year term; Chairman– C.J. DeCrescente Jr., Vice-Chairman– Harvey Erdle, Secretary– Jeff Bauml and Treasurer– Richard Tschernia.

1^st Annual Trot for Troopers

A huge thanks to Kate Loewke who donated $5,000 to Signal 30 from her 1^st Annual Trot for Troopers 5K Run/Walk.   

New PBA Store- Get your NYS Trooper Apparel

Are you looking for that perfect gift for a loved one? The PBA has recently launched a new online store for all of your NYS Police clothing and collectibles.  For more information please visit www.nystpba.org and click on the online store link or call Shannon at 518-462-7448 x113. Also feel free to visit us on Instagram- nystrooperapparel

Atlantis Raffle

We will once again be conducting a raffle throughout the year to win a trip to the Reef at Atlantis in the Bahamas. In 2019, we were able to raise $3,400 from the raffle and hope to increase the number of tickets sold in 2020.  The tickets will be for sale at all our special events throughout the year. The ticket cost is $20 and we will only sell 1000 tickets. The trip includes a 5 Day/4 Night trip to the Reef at Atlantis in the Bahamas in an Ocean View Jr. Suite for 2 with round trip airfare from NYC included. A big thank you to Richard Tschernia, Signal 30 Treasurer, who donated the condo.

Trooper Hold ‘Em Tournament and Cigar Night

The Signal 30 Benefit Fund will host the 2^nd Annual Trooper Hold’Em Poker Tournament with a cigar tasting on Thursday, February 20^th, 2020 at the Grand Havana Room in NYC. A special thanks goes out to Board Member Vincent LeVien for hosting us. The invitations will be mailed in early January and there will be a limit of 100 players. The cost to attend for both players and non-players will be $1,000. Your tickets will include an open bar, buffet dinner, cigars, silent auction and general prizes for the top ten poker winners. Look for your invitation to arrive in the mail with all the details in early January.

Holiday Appeal 2019

Once again, the Signal 30 Benefit Fund is conducting a Holiday mail appeal to our past supporters. Each year the appeal continues to grow and we are amazed by the generosity of our Signal 30 supporters.

Mark your Calendars for 2020

Thursday, February 20^th, 2020– 2^nd Annual Trooper Hold’Em Tournament and Cigar Night at the Grand Havana Room in NYC.
Wednesday, April 22, 2020- 4^th Annual Western New York Dinner at the Hyatt Regency, Rochester, NY.
Thursday, June 4^th, 2020- 10^th Annual PBA Awards Dinner at Sparks Steakhouse in NY, NY.
Tuesday, September 22^nd, 2020- 11^th Annual Saratoga National Golf Tournament