The Optimist Club of Frederick held it’s ninth annual Fish with a Cop program on Saturday, June 9, 2018, at the Camp Airy pond in Thurmont. There were twenty-seven boys and girls from across Frederick County that took part in the program. There were twenty-eight officers from the Sheriff’s Department, Maryland State Police, Frederick City Police, Brunswick Police, Thurmont Police, and the Natural Resource Police that participated in the program.
The officers picked up the children from their homes and transported them to the pond. They were then given a Zebco combo rod and reel, along with tackle from the Optimist Club. The officers worked with the kids on developing their fishing skills, along with developing a better relationship with law enforcement. When the fishing was done, the Optimist Club held a cookout and fish fry for the children and officers. The officers then took the children back home.
The following sponsors contributed to this program: Safeway Foods, Wegman’s, Weis, Giant Eagle, The Brotherhood of the Jungle Cock for stocking the pond with trout, Camp Airy for use of their pond, Camp Airy Director Tim Olson for all of his assistance, Zebco for the fishing equipment, and Frederick County elementary schools. Because of these sponsors and policemen who volunteered their time, the children had a very memorable experience. The Optimist Club hopes that in a small way this connected the children in a positive way with law enforcement. Thanks again to all who helped with this program.
Pictured from left are: (first row) Damien Latenser, Nadeem Barry, Kenner Lopez, Kevin Gomez, Cameron Sweeting, Rekhai Snowden, Olivia Herrman, Brett Balderson, Austin Balderson, Kiley Quill, Liam Chalmers, Leroy Rambert, Cody Wilfong, Club President Earl Gamber, District Governor Bill Stone; (second row) Det. Jeff Putman, OFC. Scott Pyon, TFC. Jonathan Deater, Ofc. Sara Evans, Cpt. Dwight Sommers, STR. Nicholas Farioli, Cpl. Josh White, Sgt. Paul Schur, MT. Matthew Crouse, Sgt. Todd Hill, Tr. Kyle Knowles, Cpl. Joshua Keeney, OFC McKenzie Divelbiss; (third row) Gavin Hasenei, Skyler Shoemaker, Marques Swaizer, Cole Stitely, Nathaniel Springer, Branson Strouth, Elizabeth Chang Mi Milam, Tylique Fletcher, Domingo Martinex; (fourth row) Cpl. Chad Adkins, O’Shay Rambeert, DFC. Samantha Foland, DFC. Nicholas Constantine, DFC. Ira Redman, Ret. Maj. Gary Morton, Cpl. Tim Duhan, Cpl. Jacquelyn Drukenis, OFC. Keith Donovan, Dep. Tyler Conaway, Antony Brown, DFC. Shayne Virts, DFC. Brian Stocks, Tr. Kyle Knowles, DFC. Gary Biser, Explorer Takin Abbasian, Explorer Addison White, William Smith, Darrin Frey, DFC. Sean Vanderwall. Not pictured: Lindsay Levine, senior associate advisor to the Sheriff’s Expolrers.
