Officers' deaths spur donations, fundraisers

TAMPA - ABC Action News reporter Don Germaise told us Tuesday that fifty-seven Beef O'Brady's restaurants are donating 20% of one day's proceeds to the families of two police officers killed in the line of duty. But that's not the only way to give.

The donation locations and notices of fundraisers continue to come into the news room.

Here is a list of some ways to help the families of fallen officers:

Donations

The Tampa Police Department maintains the Fallen Officers' Memorial Fund to help officers' families. Checks should be made out to Fallen Officers' Memorial Fund (specify Officers Kocab & Curtis, if you wish), and mailed to c/o The Tampa Police Memorial Committee, P.O. Box 172995, Tampa, FL 33672.

Donations to the Fallen Officers' Memorial Fund can also be dropped off at any of the following locations:

• Any branch of the Tampa Bay Federal Credit Union (find a branch at http://www.tampabayfcu.org/Branches.asp )
• Tampa Police Headquarters, 411 N. Franklin St., Tampa FL 33602.
  
• WestShore Plaza is partnering with local radio stations 93.3FLZ and 970WFLA to continue promoting donation efforts for the families of fallen Tampa Police Officers Curtis and Kocab. Checks made payable to Tampa Police Memorial Fund, Inc. are being accepted at Guest Services, near Macy's.

Bubba The Love Sponge Foundation will make a contribution to the families of Officer Jeff Kocab and Officer Dave Curtis. Donate online at https://www.btlsfoundation.org/index.php

The Gold Shield Foundation also accepts donations that helps all familes of fallen officers and firefighters. For more information, visit http://www.goldshieldfoundation.com .

Fundraisers

Wednesday, July 7 - Participating Beef O-Brady's locations will donate a percentage of sales to the Curtis/Kocab Memorial Fund. Read Don Germaise's story about their plans . To find a location near you, click here .

Friday, July 9 - Club Prana is holding a memorial mixer for the fallen officers where all proceeds and donations will go to the families of Curtis/Kocab memorial fund. The event is on Friday, July 9 from 5-9 pm. Food, drinks and raffle items.

Saturday, July 10 - The Tampa chapter of the Renegade Pigs Motorcycle Club (former and current public safety officers) will be hosting this event in conjunction with Big Belly Burgers of Brandon. This is a family event and all are welcome to attend. There will be raffles, 50/50 drawing, live music and "dunk a cop" tank. Time: 1pm-6pm at Big Belly Burgers of Brandon, 109 W. Bloomingdale Ave., Brandon, FL Visit http://chopperville1.tripod.com/renegadepigs/id3.html for more.

Saturday, July 10 - All 28 Hillsborough County Area Hungry Howies locations in the  will be participating as drop off points for donations. We will have 1 to 2 people in front of each location for the collections. Coupons from 72HR Print, Hungry Howies and Frubob Natural Fruit floats will be handed out along with cans of Pepsi and cans of Frubob to each car donating. Fundraiser is set for 07/10/10 from 11am- 3pm at participating Hungry Howies locations.

Sunday, July 11 - Niko's Restaurant, 3705 Tampa Road in Oldsmar, has organized a "Wind Beneath Their Wings" fundraiser, scheduled for 5 to 9 p.m. July 11.

Saturday, July 17 - There will be a BBQ fundraiser held at Kathleen Middle School on July 17th from 11am-6pm. Several local BBQ Teams will be cooking the slabs of meat . The cost is $20 per slab, pick up times will start at 11am. You can place your pre-order now by calling the school at 863-853-6040 or 863-853-6041 Mon-Thurs 7:00am-5:00pm, Running with Scissors at 863-815-1234, or Family Press at 863-859-3469.  You can also email Trista Sherouse - ktsherouse@verizon.net with your a name, pick up time and how many slabs they want. Pre-payment is appreciated but not necessary.

Sunday, July 18 - The Our Fallen Heroes Benefit Concert will be held Sunday, July 18 at Jannus Live. Gates open at 3 p.m., with music running until approximately 10. The entry fee is "donate what you can" at the door. The all ages, family-friendly show features six varying Bay area acts. Here is the schedule:

• 8:30 p.m. - Save the Radio (alt-rock)
• 7:30 p.m. - Live Wire (rock band featuring lead vocalist Jay Haji, a Tampa police officer)
• 6:30 p.m. - Satellites Down (alt-rock/emo)
• 5:30 p.m. - Sonic Erotica (recently reunited synth-pop/new wave/goth band)
• 4:30 p.m. - Suite Caroline (12-year-old country singer)
• 3:30 p.m. - Amber Lynn Nicol (singer/songwriter)

The event is being jointly produced by Jane's World and Knight Global Entertainment.  All acts are donating their time and talent. Find out more at http://www.jannuslive.com/our-fallen-heroes-benefit-concert or call (727) 565-0551.

The fundraisers don't end in the Tampa Bay area.

Apparently, Jeffrey Kocab and his wife worked at a Ponderosa Steakhouse in Lansing, Michigan for seven years. The restaurant is hosting a dinner to benefit the family on Wednesday