Ready for the World: Supporting the PPD in 2026 | | |
Dear Philadelphia Police Foundation Friends,
Philadelphia is stepping into the global spotlight, and it is your unwavering generosity that will help ensure our city is ready for the world.
With the Semiquincentennial, the FIFA World Cup, and the MLB All-Star Game all converging on our streets, we are braced for a landmark year of celebration. However, a monumental year requires monumental preparation. We are deeply grateful for your support, which serves as the backbone of our mission to equip the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) for everything 2026 has in store.
Because of you, the Foundation can provide the PPD with the critical resources, advanced equipment, and training necessary to keep our residents and millions of expected visitors safe. Your contributions don't just fund tools; they also provide the readiness and resilience our officers need to meet this historic moment with confidence.
As Philadelphia takes center stage, please join us in standing alongside the men and women of the PPD. Thank you for making this work possible and for being a true partner in our city's safety and success.
With gratitude,
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Maureen Rush
Maureen S. Rush, M.S., CPP
President
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Erin McKenna Zimmerman
Erin McKenna Zimmerman
Executive Director
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The Union League of Philadelphia
May 19, 2026
5:30 PM to 8:00 PM
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We hope you can join us on May 19, 2026 for our 10th Annual Night for Blue. This year we are honoring Wawa with the 2026 Founders Award, which will be accepted by CEO, Chris Gheysens.
This event will feature a festive cocktail reception, a meaningful program, and a silent auction, all dedicated to supporting the Philadelphia Police Department.
| | | Night for Blue Courage Award Honoree: Sgt. James O'Connor | | |
We will posthumously recognize Philadelphia Police Sergeant James O’Connor with the 2026 Extraordinary Act of Courage Award at this year’s Night for Blue. Sgt. O’Connor was a 23-year veteran of the force who embodied the essence of service and sacrifice. On March 13, 2020, while executing a high-risk warrant with the PPD SWAT team, Sgt. O’Connor was killed in the line of duty.
Because his passing occurred at the beginning of the COVID pandemic, the community was unable to gather for the traditional tribute Sgt. O’Connor’s heroics and sacrifice deserved. This year, we will honor a legacy that extends beyond his own decades of service. The O’Connor family’s commitment to protecting others continues through Terri and Jim O'Connor's children: Kelsey, a veteran of the United States Air Force and Jimmy, who currently serves as a Philadelphia Police Officer.
We are honored to have the opportunity to present the Courage Award to Sgt. O’Connor’s family in recognition of his unwavering dedication to Philadelphia, the ultimate sacrifice that he and his family have made, and the profound spirit of service that lives on through his children and his fellow officers.
| | | Welcome to the Newest Additions to PPF! | | |
Rosemary Connors, PPF Board of Directors
Owner, Rosette Specialty Trades
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Clark Stossel, PPF Board of Directors
Managing Partner, WhartonHill Investment Advisors
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Kate Wood, PPF Board of Directors
General Manager, The Union League of Philadelphia
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Chris Kassay, PPF Officer & Assistant Treasurer
Principal, Baker Tilly
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Erin M. Vizza, Development & Corporate Relations Manager
Philadelphia Police Foundation
| | With support from PPF donors, the Foundation continues to fund critical technology, equipment, and programs for the PPD. | | |
Enhanced Maneuverability: Mobility Scooters
PPF recently funded Professional Mobility Scooters for the PPD. These scooters are a strategic addition designed to enhance the Department's patrol capabilities.
These high-tech, three-wheeled electric vehicles offer a unique hybrid of the agility of a foot beat and the speed of a motorized unit. By integrating TRIKKE units into the fleet, the PPD gains several key operational advantages:
- Elevated Visibility: The "stand-up" design of the TRIKKE allows officers to see over crowds and vehicles, providing a superior vantage point for monitoring safety in high-traffic areas.
- Rapid Response in Dense Areas: These units can navigate narrow pathways and congested sidewalks where traditional patrol cars cannot easily pass.
- Increased Community Engagement: Unlike an enclosed cruiser, these units keep officers approachable and accessible to the public.
- Sustainability & Efficiency: These all-electric units are an eco-friendly solution that allows officers to cover significantly more ground than a traditional foot patrol.
This investment is a direct result of our supporters’ commitment to ensure the PPD has the most versatile tools available to keep Philadelphia safe and welcoming.
| | To support the city’s busy event schedule, we funded the branding for the Philadelphia Police Department’s new Mobile Command Post. This high-visibility branding helps the public easily identify the unit during major events. We are excited to see this asset in action as Philadelphia welcomes the world for upcoming global showcases. | | |
Memorial Wristbands
PPF is proud to sponsor memorial wristbands for the entire Philadelphia Police Department with a simple, yet powerful, purpose: to provide a visible reminder of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to this Department and to the City of Philadelphia. These bands include a QR code to the Officer Down memorial Page (ODMP) where the stories of the fallen are preserved, along with the words, "Our Fallen, Never Forgotten, Always Honored."
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PPD Monthly Lunch and Learns
The Philadelphia Police Foundation sponsors the PPD's monthly Lunch & Learn Series, which are informal educational sessions where the PPD highlights different communities, experiences, and strategies to help officers and staff better understand and serve all Philadelphians. January’s session, "Neurodiversity in the Workplace," saw an impressive turnout of 100 attendees, all eager to engage in strategies to foster a more supportive environment both within the Department and throughout the community. By funding these sessions, we are providing the PPD with the specialized insights and communication tools needed to navigate the complexities of a modern, diverse city with professional excellence.
| | Meet Our Newest Four-Legged Heroes | | |
The Philadelphia Police Foundation is proud to introduce the newest members of the PPD K9 Unit: K9 Leif (#K647) and K9 Solo.
K9 Leif: A dual-purpose patrol and explosives K9 who joined the force in 2025. He is currently on duty with his partner, Officer Allen.
K9 Solo: Our newest recruit is currently in a rigorous 10-week specialty scent explosive training, with Sgt. Poliard. He is on track to successfully graduate this year!
For years, the Foundation has been a steadfast supporter of this critical unit, purchasing several canines annually and funding advanced training for both the dogs and their handlers. Your donations ensure these teams have the elite preparation they need to keep Philadelphia safe!
| | Do you want to help PPF continue these valuable initiatives? | | |
Supporter Spotlight: Connelly Foundation
The Connelly Foundation has been a cornerstone of support for the Philadelphia Police Foundation, demonstrating a profound commitment to those who protect our city. Their extraordinary generosity has directly funded hundreds of primary and secondary school scholarships, by helping to create the Children of Police Scholarship Fund (COPS Fund), for the children of officers permanently injured or killed in the line of duty, providing these families with a sense of peace and a path forward during their most difficult moments. This partnership is further strengthened by the dedicated leadership of the Riley family. Tom Riley served on our board for many years and continues to be an invaluable advocate for our mission, while Amy Riley currently serves on our board and as the Night for Blue Co-Chair. Amy’s leadership is instrumental in driving the success of our premier fundraising event, ensuring we can continue to provide vital resources to the Philadelphia Police Department.
We are grateful for the generosity and partnership of the Connelly Foundation in helping make Philadelphia safer for our Police Officers and citizens.
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