Police donate $1,250 to American Legion

By Mark Reynolds
Posted 5/12/21

At last week’s American Legion meeting, Lloyd Police Chief James Janso presented Legion Commander Michael Schloemer with a check for $1,250, the result of a recent wristband fundraising effort …

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Police donate $1,250 to American Legion

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At last week’s American Legion meeting, Lloyd Police Chief James Janso presented Legion Commander Michael Schloemer with a check for $1,250, the result of a recent wristband fundraising effort undertaken by the police department.

When presenting the check to Schloemer Janso said he could think of no better an idea than to have a fundraiser for the Veterans; “It’s a small token and I can’t thank you guys enough.”

Commander Schloemer only heard about the fundraiser a few weeks ago from John Fraino, the Legion’s Finance Officer.
“It’s nice to hear that people think about you, especially the Police Department. It’s a big honor that was sort of a surprise to me but a welcome surprise,” Schloemer said.

Schloemer said they may use the money for more outreach to local VA hospitals.

“Once things open up some more, bring pizza parties and bingo to the Veterans and things like that,” he said. “They have a fish tank at the Montrose VA in the PTSD unit that helps the guys relax and maybe we’ll put some money toward helping restock the tank.”

In a subsequent interview Chief Janso said he developed the idea for the wristbands at home one evening. One side of the wristbands said Town of Lloyd Police and the other said To Protect and Serve. They sold for $5/ea.

“So it’s two-fold, to support our police department and to support our local American Legion Post, because without the Veterans we wouldn’t have what we have today,” he said. “So it’s a small donation that they’ll put toward a good use; whatever they need it for.”

Janso promoted the fundraiser on the department’s Facebook page, spoke at town meetings, and encouraged local shop owners to place a flyer in their window.

“I am very proud of the community. We had people from our families, police department members, Town Board members, town employees; they all chipped in, it’s a win-win situation, it supports us and all the proceeds go to the Legion.”