Memorial Fund Recipients

Organizations and Events Supported Through the Officer Collier Memorial Fund

In the past 6 years we have established and hosted the following events to raise funds for the children. It's Still Not Too Late to Donate to our Fundraising Efforts to Help Save a Child’s Life  (we're leaving this next piece on our site becasue it's just Wonderful!) Making a Big Difference in the Lives of Many Children - July 2024 With your donations and the tireless work of many volunteers more than 75 Lowell Kids got swimming lessons (look at the faces of these kids 🙂 ) Watch the wonderful WCVB News video by clicking here! LOWELL — Superintendent Greg Hudon is pleased to report that the Lowell Police Department, the Officer Sean A. Collier Memorial Fund, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and Massachusetts State Police collaborated to provide free swimming lessons to about 75 Lowell youth. This is the third year that free swimming lessons have been offered to youth ages 6 to 16 at DCR’s Raymond Lord Memorial Swimming Pool. This year, the state police Dive Team joined Lowell Police and Collier Fund volunteers and DCR lifeguards to provide the lessons. The lessons were provided in three sessions of 25 students Youth are partnered with volunteer swim instructors and taught to be cautious but comfortable in the water, as well as how to float, swim, and play safely in pools. The program aims to reduce tragic drownings and increase water safety. The Collier Fund pays for the majority of the swimming program in honor of Worcester Police Officer Enmanuel "Manny" Familia, who drowned on June 4, 2021, while trying to save three young children who were struggling in a lake. The partnership is part of DCR’s commitment to enhancing water safety at the state’s pools this summer. "We are thrilled to partner with the Collier Fund, state police and DCR to help prevent tragic drownings by teaching kids to swim," said Superintendent Hudon. "I'd like to thank all of our partners who have made this program possible. Each child who learns how to swim lessens the chances that the city will experience another tragic drowning." Colleen Crosby, of Lowell, said she heard about the program via the Lowell School Department and the Lowell Police website and signed up her 6 and 10 year-old grandkids. "They don't know how to swim and I wanted them to be able to be safe," Crosby said. "This is great. It's a really good program." Koren Quesada, of Lowell, signed up his 6-year-old son after hearing about several tragic drownings and said he thinks it's important that authority figures like police are providing such a service. "I find it good that the police department is involved in getting the kids familiar with the water and the cops," he said. "It lets them know they're not bad people. They're really good and they do try to help out the community when they can." "I have a 13-year-old daughter with autism and it's her second year here," said Ashley Bell, of Lowell. "Last year she picked up so much in just two weeks. The amount she's able to learn in a two-week period is amazing." Joe Rogers, the director of the Officier Sean Collier Memorial Fund said, "We are delighted that so many kids are benefiting from the 3rd year of this swimming program.  Hopefully this program will be expanded into other communities."       (According to Mass.gov: In 2021, 58 unintentional drowning deaths occurred in Massachusetts and 113 non-fatal near-drowning cases required treatment at an acute care hospital.)    Lowell Police Officer Christine Larocque (pictured in the pool) is one of the swim instructors helping these lucky kids.       Make sure to check out all the events we have established and hosted over the past 5 years to raise funds for the children. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   Christmas/New Years 2023/2024 Spreading Holiday Cheer with Market Baskets Gift Cards Together with the Lowell Police, just before Christmas, we handed out gift cards for Market Basket to residents heading into the store to shop with the goal of creating positive experiences between officers and residents.  Gift cards were also handed out to guests at the Lowell Senior Center across the street.   https://www.lowellsun.com/2023/12/30/lowell-police-hand-out-grocery-store-gift-cards-to-residents-through-donation-from-the-collier-fund/ St. Ann’s Home & School The Memorial Fund provided Christmas gifts to the young residents of St. Ann’s Home & School. Since 1925, the mission of St. Ann’s Home & School has been to support, nurture, rehabilitate, educate, and advocate for children, adolescents, and young adults who are faced with serious emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges and learning disabilities. In the late spring of 2023 the Memorial Fund provided a major donation for the very special senior prom. Christmas 2023 was a special time for the 150 children and youth living here at St. Ann’s!    Your generosity has brought joy and warmth to the hearts of countless children this Christmas. Your selfless act of giving has made the holiday season brighter and more magical for those in need. Thank you for embodying the true spirit of Christmas and for making a lasting impact on the lives of these children. Your kindness is a beacon of hope, and we are truly grateful for your support. Make sure to check out all the events we have established and hosted over the past 5 years to raise funds for the children. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Boxing Club Christmas Party   On December 15, we joined a Pizza Party for the kids participating in the Boxing Club.  At the event we gave the parents a $50 gift card from Market Basket for Christmas Dinner and a $50 gift card from Target to help with gifts for the children.  We donated $6,000 to make Christmas a happy time for these families. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Flag Football Clinic & Tournament  The Lowell Police Department Youth Services Program, offered a flag football clinic in the fall of 2023 for Lowell residents in grades 5-8.  The Memorial Fund provided pizza for all the participants. July 2023 -The Memorial Fund Learn to Swim Program The Lowell Police Department, Officer Sean A. Collier Memorial Fund, and Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) teamed up to provide free swimming lessons to Lowell youth. This is the second year that free swimming lessons have been offered to young people ages 6 to 16 at DCR’s Raymond Lord Memorial Swimming Pool. The program ran for three sessions a day from Monday, July 17 through July 28. Last year the program served 50 Lowell youth in two sessions of 25 students. This year it will serve 75 Lowell youth in three sessions of 25 students. Young people were partnered with volunteer swim instructors and taught to be cautious but comfortable in the water, as well as how to swim, float, and play safely in pools. August 2023 -The Memorial Fund Donates To The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Salem, NH We stopped by the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Salem, NH earlier this year. On behalf of the Memorial Fund, Kelly Dolan, presented the Boys and Girl’s Club with a check for $3,500. (Kelley’s husband Joel is Salem, NH Chief of Police.) We hope that this will help the Boys and Girls Club provide a safe and affordable place for kids and teens during critical out-of-school time. We look forward to developing this relationship in the future. Kelley is also one of our runners for this year’s Marathon and one of our biggest fundraisers. She and fellow runner, Kassandra Storms (Seabrook PD), were recently interviewed by WMUR Channel 9 in New Hampshire. https://www.wmur.com/article/salem-boston-marathon-sean-collier-memorial-fund/43103852 August 2023 - Saint Ann’s Home The Memorial Fund has made a donation of Back To School School Supplies for the children of Saint Ann’s Home in Methuen, MA. We also provided $2000 for the very special senior prom in the late spring.  St. Ann’s is a place for children, adolescents, and young adults who are faced with serious emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges and learning disabilities. March 2023 - Former Heavy-Weight Champ Buster Douglas Shares Life Lessons, Skills With Young Boxers In Lowell Thirty-Three years ago, James “Buster” Douglas beat Mike Tyson to become Heavy-Weight Champion. Today, he gives motivational talks to future boxers. Douglas was recently at the new Lowell Police Youth Services Boxing Gym, built thanks in no small part to the Sean Collier Memorial Fund, a youth program free for 200 kids in the city. The Memorial Fund Donates To The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Salem, NH We stopped by the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Salem, NH last month. On behalf of the Memorial Fund, Kelly Dolan, presented the Boys and Girl’s Club with a check for $3,500. (Kelley’s husband Joel is Salem, NH Chief of Police.) We hope that this will help the Boys and Girls Club provide a safe and affordable place for kids and teens during critical out-of-school time. We look forward to developing this relationship in the future. Dec 2022 •         Flag Football Clinic & Tournament - The Lowell Police Department Youth Services Program, in partnership with the Afro-American Community Collaborative, Merrimack Valley Flag Football League, and Sean A. Collier Memorial Foundation, offered a flag football clinic in the summer of 2022 for Lowell residents in grades 5-8. •         LPD Youth Boxing - The Lowell Police Department (LPD) provides a youth boxing program for Lowell residents between the ages of 10 – 18. The workouts are great for cardiovascular fitness, balance, endurance and hand-eye coordination. LPD officers volunteer to provide mentorship and training to youth. Oct 2022 •         Annual Golf Tournament at Four Oaks Country Club - On September 12, the Memorial Fund had its Annual Golf Tournament. We honored two law enforcement heroes: Trooper Tamar Bucci of the Massachusetts State Police, (End of Watch March 3, 2022) and Sergeant Brian Sousa Jr. who passed away suddenly on April 16, 2022. •         Lowell Police Department and Officer Sean A. Collier Memorial Fund Team Up to Offer Youth Swimming Lessons •         Halloween Party Fundraiser for Salem NH Boys and Girls Club July 2022 •         Lowell Police, with Support from the Officer Sean A. Collier Memorial Fund, Opens Youth Services Boxing Facility April 2022 •         It’s Still Not Too Late to Donate to Our Marathon Team’s Fundraising Efforts to Help Save a Child’s Life - There are 18 days to go before the Boston Marathon is held on April 18, 2022. Plenty of time to make a donation. •         This summer we are teaming up with the Lowell Police Boxing Club and the City of Lowell to provide swimming lessons to young people. Almost half of all children have few to no swimming skills. Drownings are a leading cause of injury/death for young children ages one to 14. It is estimated that for every fatal drowning victim, another 5 to 10 victims receives hospital related care for non-fatal drowning injuries. Last summer it seemed like there was a drowning of a child every few days. Police Officer Enmanuel Familia of the Worchester Police Department (E.O.W. – June 4, 2021) drowned while attempting to rescue a juvenile who had gone underwater in a small pond in Green Hill Park. •         Comedy Night Fundraiser - we held our Boston Marathon at Princeton Station in No. Chelmsford, MA on March 25th. It was a great success. The Dinner and Comedians were great. All proceeds from this event went to support the Officer Sean Collier Marathon Team’s fundraising goals. Dec 2021 Town of Wilmington, MA Declares January 3 is Sean Collier Day Wilmington's Board of Selectmen unanimously voted to declare January 3 of each year (Sean’s Birthday), “Sean Collier Day” in honor of the Wilmington native and MIT police officer who was killed by the Boston Marathon bombers. Read the article from the Wilmington Ma Patch   Read the WHDH 7 News article here. Thanksgiving Dinner for Homeless Veterans and Veterans In Need The Collier Memorial Fund teamed up with State Representative Tom Golden, Princetown Station and Eversource for a Thanksgiving Dinner for Homeless Veterans and Veterans In Need on November 23 at Princeton Station, No. Chelmsford, MA. The dinner was a great success and it was our way of thanking these heroes for their service and making sure that those less fortunate would have Thanksgiving Dinner. Lowell Police Boxing Club The Memorial Fund has decided to support the newly formed Lowell Police Boxing Club which aims to be a place where the city’s youths can be off the streets and take part in constructive activities. On Friday, December 17, we joined a Pizza Party for the kids and at that event gave their parents a $100 gift card from Market Basket for Christmas Dinner and a $100 gift card from Target to help with presents. In the future, they hope to support an after-school tutoring program for kids who may be struggling in school. Aug 2018 •         5th Annual Boston Strong Memorial Basketball Tournament •         Brandon Odom Skills & Drills Academy – 2 week basketball camp •         Boston Judo Club – scholarship funds for students •         Academic scholarship to Salem State University Oct 2021 125th Boston Marathon On Monday, October 11, our Marathon Team finally had the opportunity to run the Boston Marathon. All six runners: Ashley Kmiec, Robert McMahon, Paul King, Kelly Dolan, Kassandra Storms, and Kim Kopicko fulfilled their dream of running and completing the Boston Marathon. Honoring Officer Emmanuel Familia of the Worchester PD at the Annual Golf Tournament at Four Oaks Country Club. Officer Manny Familia (38) drowned while attempting to rescue a juvenile who had gone underwater in a small pond in Green Hill Park. Three juveniles who had gone into the water became distressed. One of the juveniles went underwater and failed to surface. Officer Familia and several other officers responded to the pond and entered the water in an effort to save all three. Officers were able to bring the other two juveniles to shore, however, Officer Familia failed to surface while trying to save the third juvenile. We donated $5000 to the Familia Family Memorial Fund. Supporting Police and Community Youth Sports Programs The Memorial Fund distributed $10,000 worth of sports equipment (baseballs, softballs, soccer balls, baseball mits, etc.) that was donated by Mike & Cindy Kuenzler of All Sports Heroes: Uniforms, Sporting Goods, & Promotions The donations were given to the Shedd Park Baseball and Softball Organization and Pawtucketville Youth Organization (both of Lowell), the Cambridge Police Youth Program and the Lynn Police Youth Division. This equipment will assist these organizations in providing hundreds of boys and girls in Lowell, Cambridge and Lynn an opportunity to learn and play sports.     Feb 2019 •         Collier Memorial Fund Donates Wrestling Mat to Lowell High School •         Conducted 3 different fund raisers for the Team Collier Strong Boston Marathon proceeds of which are distributed through the Memorial Fund   Nov 2019 •         Golf Tournament •         The Officer Sean A. Collier Memorial Fund honored the memory of Somerville Police Officer Louis Remigio at its Annual Golf Tournament on September 9, 2019 at the Four Oaks Country Club in Dracut, MA. •         State Police pround to partner with Boston English, and the Memorial Fund to help young people to increase awareness of MSP •         Sock Drive for Homeless Veterans – In keeping with the spirit of giving and as winter approached, we have decided to continue to help those who have sacrificed for the country. We held a Sock Drive for Homeless Veterans with the support of the Dracut, Melrose, and MIT Police Departments.   Feb 2021 •         The Memorial Fund responded to requests to help feed nurses, doctors and other medical responders at the hardest hit local hospitals Jul 2021 •         Comedy night – Fundraiser to finance memorial fund projects   Oct 2021 •         125th Boston Marathon - On Monday, October 11, our Marathon Team finally had the opportunity to run the Boston Marathon. All six runners: Ashley Kmiec, Robert McMahon, Paul King, Kelly Dolan, Kassandra Storms, and Kim Kopicko fulfilled their dream of running and completing the Boston Marathon. •         On Monday, October 11, our Marathon Team finally had the opportunity to run the Boston Marathon. All six runners: Ashley Kmiec, Robert McMahon, Paul King, Kelly Dolan, Kassandra Storms, and Kim Kopicko fulfilled their dream of running and completing the Boston Marathon. •         Supporting Police and Community Youth Sports Programs - The Memorial Fund distributed $10,000 worth of sports equipment (baseballs, softballs, soccer balls, baseball mits, etc.) that was donated by Mike & Cindy Kuenzler of All Sports Heroes: Uniforms, Sporting Goods, & Promotions •         K9 Kitt of the Braintree Police Department (End of Watch - June 4, 2021) •         At our golf tournament we also honored K9 Kitt who was shot and killed when a domestic violence suspect opened fire on officers who were searching for him in a wooded area. •         Comedy Night Fundraiser - We held our Summer Fundraiser at Princeton Station in No. Chelmsford, MA on August 6th. It was a great success. •         The Memorial Fund In Conjunction With Princeton Station Chelmsford sponsored Thanksgiving Dinner for Homeless Veterans and Veterans In Need.   Dec 2021 •         Town of Wilmington, MA Declares January 3 is Sean Collier Day - Wilmington's Board of Selectmen unanimously voted to declare January 3 of each year (Sean’s Birthday), “Sean Collier Day” in honor of the Wilmington native and MIT police officer who was killed by the Boston Marathon bombers. •         Lowell Police Boxing Club - The Memorial Fund has decided to support the newly formed Lowell Police Boxing Club which aims to be a place where the city’s youths can be off the streets and take part in constructive activities.

Sock Drive for Homeless Veterans

In keeping with the spirit of giving and as winter approached, we have decided to continue to help those who have sacrificed for the country. We held a Sock Drive for Homeless Veterans with the support of the Dracut, Melrose, and MIT Police Departments.

To compete, to remember

Lowell High wrestling mat honors officer lost in marathon blast

By Kori Tuitt, [email protected]

LOWELL -- Sean Collier's name has been synonymous with heroism. Now, the name of the late officer who lost his life in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing will live on as part of the athletics at Lowell High School.  A wrestling mat, worth $12,000, was recently donated to the high school. The red mat reads "Officer Sean A. Collier Memorial Fund."  Richard Sullivan, a member of the Collier fund, said the goal is to start a wrestling program at the Stoklosa Middle School.

"Originally, we were going to put it there, but then more thought got put into it and we thought it would get more use at the high school with Sean's logo on it," said Sullivan, of Dracut. He said the idea for the wrestling mat came from himself, Kyle Dolliver, a teacher at the Stoklosa Middle School, and Joe Rogers, Collier's stepfather. Collier was an MIT police officer with roots in Wilmington. He graduated from Wilmington High School in 2004 and went on to earn a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Salem State College in 2009, according to the memorial fund's website. At just 26 years old, Collier was killed in the line of duty on April 15, 2013. Rogers said when he first came to New England, he settled in Lowell and has lived around the city for the past 30 years. He currently lives in Wilmington.

"I felt like I know the city, I know a lot of the people. We get a lot of support for the charity out of Lowell and the surrounding towns," Rogers said. "So, I just wanted to give back. This is the type of program I think Sean would have liked." With sports programs like these, Rogers said it keeps students off the streets and gives them something productive to do. Lowell High wrestling coach George Bossi agreed. "That's why we're into sports," Bossi said. "We save kids all the time, not only just wrestling, every activity. Keep them off the streets."

Bossi said the oldest wrestling mats the high school has date back to 1964. The new mat, he said, is beautiful. "It's very portable and lightweight and they're very adaptable to today's situation," Bossi said. "Big, heavy mats we had years ago are too heavy and they're very hard to transport." The ultimate goal is to have a wrestling team or club or intramural program in each of the middle schools in the city, Bossi said. "It's not something where we're just going to buy the mat and say, 'See ya later,' and just forget about what we're doing," Sullivan said. "We're trying to make the connection in Lowell with these kids and give them a reason to want to go do stuff."

5th Annual Boston Strong Memorial Basketball Tournament

The Officer Collier Memorial Fund was one of the sponsors of the 5th Annual Boston Strong Memorial Basketball Tournament held on August 4-5, 2018. This two-day basketball tournament is a way for Boston and surrounding communities to remember and honor MIT Police Officer Sean A. Collier, Boston Police Officer Dennis J. Simmonds and all of the victims of the Boston Marathon tragedy.

Brandon Odom Skills & Drills Academy

Saving a Hero’s Place

Saving a Hero’s Place is a volunteer group founded by police officers in San Antonio, Texas. Officer Tommy Capell, his wife and a couple of police buddies started this charity.  They build Honor Chairs for the Roll Call room commemorate officers who have died in the line of duty.

When an Officer makes the ultimate sacrifice, his/her presence is missed. The Honor Chair is placed in the roll call room as a reminder that even though they are not there physically, the Officer will always be with you as you head out to the battles,  carrying on the watch… carrying on the watch…

This charity was started because of Sean’s death.  Here is their story.

http://www.savingaherosplace.org/index.php/our-story/

Saving A Hero’s Place, Inc. was formed through tragedy.  In 2013, I was contacted by another Police Officer to build a chair similar to several chairs that were placed at another sub station years back.  This chair would be in honor of a San Antonio Police Officer who died in the performance of his duty.  The chair was built March 2013 and placed at the sub station where the officer worked.  The following month, on April 18, 2013, MIT Police Officer Sean Collier was killed in the line of duty by the Boston bombers.  Officer Sean Collier was sitting in his patrol vehicle serving his community.  Unable to sleep for weeks, I knew something needed to be done for this officer.  I immediately got with my wife Robbie Capell and two fellow classmates Brandon Bunch and Michael Pullen.  It was decided that an Honor Chair was just the answer.  MIT Police was contacted and welcomed the idea of an Honor Chair.  After quickly raising money from the community, friends, and family, The four of us traveled by vehicle over 2,000 miles to deliver the honor chair.  Officer Sean Colliers honor chair was presented on May 28, 2013.  The emotions that came with this honor chair, and seeing what the chair meant to the MIT Police department, made us all realize we were not done.

I have added a picture of the chair.

They have a website and a Facebook page 

http://www.savingaherosplace.org/

https://www.facebook.com/savingaherosplace/

Jonny Castro Art: Portraits of Valor

Jonny Castro is a Philadelphia Police Officer. His job with the police department is that of a Forensic Composite Artist. He paints portraits for the families of first responder killed in the line of duty.  Here is a newspaper article about him: https://www.policeone.com/quiet-warrior/articles/372739006-Courage-on-canvas-How-a-forensic-artists-portraits-give-fallen-cops-new-life/

His Facebook page has a several videos about him and his portraits

https://www.facebook.com/jonnycastroart/videos/1422551961097270/

Here is the main Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/jonnycastroart/

Police Unity Tour

The primary purpose of the Police Unity Tour is to raise awareness of Law Enforcement Officers who have died in the line of duty.  The secondary purpose is to raise funds for the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial and Museum. 

http://policeunitytour.com/

Salem State University – Sean A Collier Criminal Justice Scholarship

Annual Award is given for students majoring in criminal justice.