Rochester's police union provided an update Wednesday on a myriad of methods the community is using to express their support for the family of fallen city police officer Manuel Ortiz.
It included an effort by the Rochester Police Locust Club to have Ortiz's death recognized by New York State as "in the line of duty."
Ortiz died November 2, when he accidentally shot himself with his personal firearm while driving his car to work on Empire Boulevard in Webster.
Should the classification be recognized by the state comptroller's office, Ortiz's youngest children would be granted a free college education through the state university system.
An educational trust fund, established at Canandaigua National Bank, has been created for Ortiz's two youngest children, Alejandro and Sophia. The Rochester Police Locust Club informed the public that to donate, citizens can visit or call Canandaigua National Bank.
Additionally, donations for Manny Ortiz can be made in person or by mail to the Locust Club at 1425 Lexington Avenue, Rochester, NY 14606.
Any contributions must include "Manny Ortiz Fund" for accounting purposes. T-shirts are being sold at www.mannyortiz124.com to benefit the family. Bracelets are being created and will be available for purchase at the Locust Club.
Two December events are also set. The Sauce For A Cause will be held December 12, at 4 p.m. at Local 1071 Union Hall on Hudson Avenue in Rochester.
The Rochester Firefighters Local 1071 will host funds raised will benefit the families of Officer Ortiz and Officer Denny Wright.
A portion of the proceeds from The Salsa and Sonidos Unidos event December 8 will be donated to Officer Ortiz’s family. Legacy Drama House will hold the event at 112 Webster Avenue in Rochester. For more information, visit EventBrite.com or call (585) 471-5335 for tickets.
Also, a month-long law enforcement fundraiser is gaining steam, and stubble. Officers who made a $25 minimum donation to Beards for Bucks were allowed to grow facial hair as part of a program initiated by Rochester Police Locust Club in 2017. It’s been expanded by 12 other agencies spanning Monroe and Ontario counties in 2018.
All proceeds will benefit Rochester peer support programs for teens and young adults with cancer as well as important cancer research at Roswell Park. The Beards for Bucks program is part of the Goin’ Bald for Bucks initiative with 13thirty Cancer Connect.
On December 1st, officers will continue this program into Beards for Brothers to collect additional funds for Officer Manny Ortiz. Donation links will be posted on www.Locustclub.org in the upcoming weeks.