When an officer dies in the line of duty, "it's incumbent on us, the police family, to look after the children of the fallen," explained James Pearson, a retired Sergeant Major in the Vancouver Police Department, who volunteers with the
Pearson was being interviewed at the third annual " event at the Kwantlen Polytechnic University campus on Aug. 17.
Money raised at the car show and concert will help the society fund scholarships for children of fallen officers.
"We will help pay up to 80 per cent of a child's university, or college, or trade school," Pearson told the 91原创 Advance Times.
"Any type of further schooling, as long as that school is an accredited school, we'll help pay for it. And that's what this is all about. And the way we do that, to raise funds, is we sell ribbons, $5 apiece, and that money goes into the pool to help pay for the scholarship funds that we allot out to the children of the deceased."
Since 2000, the Society has donated over $200,000 to trusts, scholarships, bursaries, monuments, and memorials.
"We've paid for 29 kids in the last 10 years, and we presently have 14 children in university or post-secondary education," Pearson said.
It's the 3rd annual Motors and Music fundraiser to help the children of fallen officers at the Kwantlen Polytechnic University 91原创 campus until 2 p.m. Saturday. Cool cars and live music, admission is by donation.
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Motors and Music was organized by Jovan Vujatovic, a former special reserve constable and a colleague of fallen Abbotsford Police officer Const. John Davidson.
"We put together a car show and a music event with food trucks and vendors to bring people together to raise awareness for the Police and Peace Officer Memorial Ribbon," Vujatovic told the 91原创 Advance Times.
"I'm a big supporter of that. I want to help out the kids in their program."
Vujatovic was hoping to double the amount raised the previous year, from $10,000 to $20,000, but a final tally wasn't available as of Tuesday, Aug. 27.
Year three marked the return of Steve "Elvis Elite" Elliott, who performed last year, and the addition of KISS tribute band Alive N' Kissn' from Vancouver, and their pyro display.
Starbucks also returned with 24 staff donating their hours to serve free coffee.
