Updated 11:30 a.m. July 13
On July 9, the Rotary Club of Frisco raised $720 during its farmers market to help support and honor the families of the fallen Dallas Police officers who were killed during the July 7 shooting in downtown Dallas.
Former Frisco Mayor Mike Simpson presents a check of $720 to Frisco Police Chief John Bruce to donate to the Dallas Police Department.[/caption]Rotarian and former Frisco Mayor Mike Simpson led the fundraiser.
"As former mayor of Frisco, I have high regard for the police and was taken aback with everything that happened last Thursday," Simpson said. "I was at the Frisco Roughriders game on [July 8], and they were passing around a boot collecting donations to help support these families, and I saw how effective that was that night."
He said he thought the Rotary Club could ask for donations during the Rotary Farmers Market on July 9.
The Rotary Club collected donations from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. and presented the check to Frisco Police Chief John Bruce on July 11. Bruce took the check to the Dallas Police Department on July 12 when he went to Dallas for the memorial service for the fallen officers.
Along with the check, Simpson wrote a letter to Dallas Police Chief David Brown.
The Rotary Club of Frisco at the Rotary Farmers Market collecting donations to help support Dallas Police families.[/caption]In the letter, he mentioned that the Rotary Club's motto of 'service above self' is the same description that can be made of police officers, and that was evident of Dallas police officers during the July 7 shooting.
"I'm sure there will be larger donations, but for the amount of time we were out there I think we collected a good amount of money, and the thought behind it is what's important," Simpson said.
Simpson said after the check was delivered, more Rotarians came forward wanting to donate more money. Simpson said the club will discuss the possibility of having more opportunities to give back to help support the officers' families.
Updated 3 p.m. July 8
The Frisco Roughriders will wear Dallas PD caps during the July 8 and 9 games to honor the Dallas officers who were killed and injured during the July 7 shooting in Downtown Dallas.
The hats will be auctioned off each night with all proceeds benefitting the Assist the Officer Foundation, an organization that provides financial assistance to officers who face the loss of income due to serious injury, life-threatening illness or other catastrophic event. The organization also provides immediate assistance to an officer's family in the event of the death of an active officer.
The Riders will also give all proceeds from the silent auction of the Salute to 8-Bit & Arcades Night Jersey event on July 8 to the ATO Foundation.
There will also be a donation box at the top of Section 114 for fans to donate directly to the organization. Donations will be collected throughout the games.
Also 10 percent of all Riders Outpost sales and a portion of all concession sales will benefit the ATO Foundation.
July 8 and 9 games will begin at 7:05 p.m. with gates opening at 6 p.m.
Original story posted 11:21 a.m. July 8
Frisco organizations are responding to the July 7 shooting in Dallas that killed five officers and left 12 injured.
Grace Avenue United Methodist Church is inviting the Frisco and surrounding communities to join them at noon July 8 for a time of gathering and prayer for the Dallas officers and their families.
From noon to 12:10 p.m. there will be silent prayer and the church's pastoral team will then have a short service at the worship center at 3521 Main Street, Frisco. Church staff will be directing traffic.
Grave Avenue staff will be onsite for the rest of the day for any independent prayer, according to church staff.
The congregation at Elevate Life Church early this morning gathered to pray for the officers and their families.
