The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
More than 200 supporters of local police gathered at The Imperia Sept. 8 for the Franklin Township Police Department PBA 154’s annual wine and spirits tasting fundraiser.
The event is the organization’s largest fundraiser and has raised more than $30,000 over the past several years, said FTPD Lt. Mark Reiner, the evening’s co-organizer with Officer Rich Hartnett.
“The funds raised through this event go to our Franklin Food Bank, they go to our students and help the PBA support the community in a lot of ways, supporting organizations throughout the township,” he said.
Reiner said the vendors who lined the room were brought by two township liquor stores, Buy Rite and Bottle Republic.
“They have helped us out tremendously throughout this event.,” he said.
“Out of all the events we do, this is our flagship event because it brings the community out to a relaxed environment, because it brings people out to see people in the community they haven’t seen in a while, and it also get the officers in a different type of environment and to see that we’re all here for the same purpose,” he said.
The evening featured tastings of a variety of wines and liquors, hand-rolled cigars and dinner.
Here are some scenes from the night:
