2024 Community Partner of the Month Awards

LaKrisha Ivory and her daughter Kylie Taylor, owners of Kylie’s Kustom Kriations, specialize in customizing apparel, ornaments, drinking glasses, and more. When they learned that all five Cleveland Police Districts were participating in a tree-decorating contest, they eagerly volunteered to assist Second District Officer Robquetta Lavender in bringing their Grinch-themed tree to life.

Reflecting on the project, LaKrisha said, “We finally caught the Grinch and stuck him in a tree! Making custom ornaments listing each Second District individual was a great pleasure. I hope this project and collaboration brought lots of joy and happiness to our Second District officers this holiday season. Thank you; we look forward to next year.”

Second District Commander Tim Maffo-Judd expressed his appreciation, saying, “On behalf of the officers of the Second District, I would like to thank LaKrisha and Kylie for their assistance in decorating our Christmas tree and for helping to raise the morale of our officers. Oh, by the way, we won the contest!”

It is because of their kindness, creativity, and generosity that the Cleveland Police Foundation is proud to recognize LaKrisha Ivory and Kylie Taylor as our Community Partners of the Month for December 2024.

– Bob Guttu, CPF

Nominated by Second Second District Commander Tim Maffo-Judd & CPD Officer Robquetta Lavender

The Cleveland Police Foundation’s Community Partner of the Month Award is given to individuals or organizations from within the community that strive to support the mission goals of the Cleveland Division of Police and the CPF.

November’s CPOM, Messina Floor Covering, played an important part in boosting morale for our officers in the Second District by assisting with the installation of the office floor. I asked Commander Tim Maffo-Judd about this donation, and he stated, “The officers of the Second District and I would like to thank the crew from Messina Flooring, including Mike Messina, Dave Oliver, Joe Kasnyik and John Molnar for their help in replacing our office floor. Their contribution is very much appreciated and enforces the fact that there are many folks like Messina Flooring that will back our Heroes in Blue.”

It is because of their commitment to our officers and the community that the Cleveland Police Foundation is honored to bestow upon the Messina Floor Covering Company our Community Partner of the Month Award for November 2024. 
– Bob Guttu, CPF

Nominated by Second District Commander Tim Maffo-Judd and the officers of the Second District

Leo Tully has always been a staunch supporter of law enforcement especially with our own CPD Heroes in Blue, so I reached out to him to find out more about the Cards for Cops effort he started. Mr. Tully stated, ” I joined an Adopt a Cop group in 2020 and as a member you are encouraged to mail a letter or card monthly to officers who sign up.”

“Other than regular thank you cards, I couldn’t find anything good enough, so I decided to make my own. In 2021 the first Cards for Cops were sent out to my adoptees and offered to our CPD officers at the Zone Car Lounge and random officers working the streets of our city. As time passed more law enforcement officers were added and several other local departments received the cards also.

“My goal was to share these cards made with my own hands to thank officers for what they do and spread love, encouragement, good vibes, good news and good humor. ”

I also reached out to Second District Commander Tim Maffo-Judd who nominated Mr. Tully, and he stated, “Leo Tully is one special individual who is always there to present these Cards for Cops that help boost morale and let our officers know they are appreciated, and thank them for their service to the community they serve. He truly deserves this recognition.”

It is because of his dedication to our officers and the community that the Cleveland Police Foundation is honored to bestow upon Mr. Leo Tully our Community Partner of the Month award for October 2024.

~ Bob Guttu CPF)

Nominated by Second District Commander Tim Maffo-Judd

The Greater Cleveland Food Bank has provided much-needed food to those in our community regularly and consistently for many years. To gain perspective on how effectively they serve the community, I reached out to Lieutenant Marcus Montanaro from the CPD Fifth District, who shared:

“The Greater Cleveland Food Bank has countless services that move around to various locations to provide assistance to those in need. They also provide an avenue for caring members of the community to volunteer to help those in need who may not have otherwise become involved. This includes members of the Cleveland Police Department, which helps showcase the department in an extremely positive light.

Throughout other tough financial and staffing challenges, somehow, someway, the Greater Cleveland Food Bank has always managed to continue its programs to help the community, most notably showing their commitment to Cleveland’s Fifth District Police Officers and the entire Collinwood Neighborhood.”

It is because of their commitment to the community and our Fifth District officers that the Cleveland Police Foundation is honored to name the Greater Cleveland Food Bank our Community Partner of the Month for September 2024.

– Bob Guttu, CPF

Nominated by CPD Fifth District Lieutenant Marcus Montanaro

The Cleveland Police Foundation is proud to name Catanese Classic Seafood as its Community Partner of the Month. The company has consistently demonstrated strong support for both the Cleveland Division of Police and the local community.

CPD Third District Captain Tim Maffo-Judd highlighted a specific instance of their dedication, noting, “Catanese Classic Seafood is a valued member of the Third District community. During the line-of-duty death of Officer Jamieson Ritter, Catanese Seafood provided a refrigerated truck, ensuring hundreds of bottles of water were available for officers in very warm weather at the funeral. We are very grateful for this partnership.”

For their continued dedication and meaningful contributions, the Cleveland Police Foundation is honored to recognize Catanese Classic Seafood as the Community Partner of the Month for August 2024.

– Bob Guttu, CPF

Nominated by Third District Captain Tim Maffo-Judd

This month’s Community Partner of the Month is First Interstate Properties, nominated by former CPD Captain Keith Sulzer, who has worked with this organization for many years. Sulzer shared the following about this outstanding organization:

“First Interstate Properties has been an incredible partner and investor in the City of Cleveland for many, many years! Their investment in building Steel Yard Commons Shopping Center is a prime example of their commitment to Cleveland. Since 2007, First Interstate Properties has invested thousands of dollars in sponsoring the National Night Out Against Crime, an event that promotes safety and brings our safety forces and community resources together with our citizens.”

Sulzer added:

“I would personally like to thank FIP, and Mitchell Schneider, Chris Goodrich, Lauren Nicoloff, and Reegan Clark, and their entire staff for their investment in safety, their commitment to our city, and their hard work in making Cleveland a better place to live, work, and play.”

It is because of their dedication and devotion to the community that the Cleveland Police Foundation is proud to name First Interstate Properties, along with Mitchell Schneider, Chris Goodrich, Lauren Nicoloff, and Reegan Clark, our Community Partner of the Month for July 2024.

– Bob Guttu, CPF

Nominated by Keith Sulzer, CPF Community Liaison Consultant

This month’s Community Partner of the Month, Ganim Company, has proven to be a true and important supporter of both the officers of the First District and the members of the community.

Community Engagement Officer Kerry Adams shared why she nominated this outstanding business: “Danny Ganim and his crew from Ganim Company donated to our Shop with a Cop toy giveaway as well as providing food for our First District Safety Fair. Right now, we are working on our back-to-school drive, and they are going to provide the entire school of Artemus Ward with school supplies and backpacks. Danny also brought a crew and supplies to the District to help us finish our First District Memorial, which would have taken us months to complete, and it was done in a matter of hours. They are truly great people and absolutely deserve to be recognized for all they do for our officers and the community.”

It is because of their support of our First District officers and the community they serve that the Cleveland Police Foundation is honored to name Ganim Company our Community Partner of the Month for June 2024.

– Bob Guttu, CPF

Nominated by First District Community Engagement Officer Kerry Adams

This month’s Community Partner of the Month is the Cleveland Victory Church of the Nazarene, recognized for their exemplary support of our men and women in blue. This past April, their members prepared and served lunch to our Third District officers and dispatchers at the district headquarters facility for three consecutive days. It was their heartfelt way of thanking those who tirelessly care for the community they serve.

Captain Tim Maffo-Judd, who nominated these outstanding individuals, expressed his gratitude:

“We, at the Third District, would like to personally thank Reverend Carolyn Joseph and all the members of the Victory Church for thinking of us and providing lunch for three consecutive days. We appreciate their effort and support.”

The Cleveland Police Foundation is honored to name the Cleveland Victory Church of the Nazarene its Community Partner of the Month for May 2024, in recognition of the kindness and compassion they have shown to our officers and dispatchers.

– Bob Guttu, Cleveland Police Foundation

Nominated by 3rd District Captain Tim Maffo-Judd

Coretta James is a very special individual on a mission to personally thank police officers across the country for their service. She has handwritten and personally delivered over 7,000 thank you cards to officers nationwide, including those in Washington D.C., Boston, Philadelphia, Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Chicago.

Recently, Coretta, who hails from Queens, New York, took an Amtrak train to Cleveland and delivered thank you cards to our CPD officers in each of the 5 Districts. A few weeks later, the Cleveland Police Foundation invited her back to bestow upon her our Community Partner of the Month Plaque and a delicious cake in her honor. It is because of her support of both our officers and those nationwide that the Cleveland Police Foundation is honored to recognize Coretta James as our Community Partner of the Month for April 2024.

– Bob Guttu, Cleveland Police Foundation

Nominated by 3rd District Commander Robert Tucker

This month’s Cleveland Police Foundation Community Partner of the Month is Father Doug Brown, who makes it his mission to provide emotional and spiritual support for our CPD members and their families.

Father Brown was nominated by the officers of the Employee Assistance Unit. Detective Beverly Fraticelli stated, “Father Doug Brown became a CPD Police Chaplain in November of 2017 and understands the unique culture of law enforcement officers and the need to address stressors related to traumatic incidents that officers experience during their careers.”

Chaplain Brown answers late-night phone calls and responds to requests to attend critical incidents, the hospital, or to districts and units. He has served in various ceremonial functions including police awards ceremonies, Police Memorial Week, and Blue Coats events.

Chaplain Brown continues to offer support to the families of our fallen officers and can relate as he lost his great grandfather, Cleveland Police Officer William Brown, in a line of duty death. Father Brown actively supports the Cleveland Safety Forces and is prepared to respond to any situation, whether to comfort the ill, officiate at a funeral, celebrate a life, attend a critical incident debriefing, assist in a fundraiser, give a benediction at a recent graduation, or give a toast at a retirement party, all while being just as active at his own parish, Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church.

It is because of his devotion to our CPD Heroes in Blue, their families, and all the Cleveland Safety Forces that the Cleveland Police Foundation is indeed honored to name Father Doug Brown our Community Partner of the Month for March 2024.

– Bob Guttu, Cleveland Police Foundation

Nominated by Sgt. Melissa Dawson and the officers of the Employees Assistance Unit

Jonathan Goldston and Michelle Arch of FHT Advisors have been steadfast supporters of the Cleveland Police Foundation’s Christmas initiatives for families in need throughout Cleveland. Their commitment has been pivotal in orchestrating various fundraisers and toy drives, significantly contributing to the festive spirit and community outreach.

Former CPD 2nd District Commander Keith Sulzer highlighted their contributions: “They both have helped organize several fundraisers and toy drives and have been a huge part of organizing and facilitating our efforts to bring holiday cheer to hundreds of families every year. With their help, CPF was able to expand our holiday giving to include dozens of families from A Special Wish Foundation, giving much needed assistance to families going through difficult medical crises.”

Their unwavering support for Cleveland families, especially those needing extra help during the holiday season, has made a profound impact. The Cleveland Police Foundation is proud to honor FHT Advisors’ Jonathan Goldston and Michelle Arch as our Community Partners of the Month for February 2024.

– Bob Guttu, Cleveland Police Foundation

Nominated by former CPD 2nd District Commander Keith Sulzer