Traci Szymanski Life Experiences: Dennis Quaid Champion for Los Angeles Police Memorial Foundation

Dennis Quaid hosts The Los Angeles Police Memorial Foundation

Celebrity Golf Tournament & Family Fun Day

On May 31, 2014 an array of stars joined together to help raise funds for the Los Angeles Police Memorial Foundation at Brookside Golf Club in Pasadena.

The 42^nd Annual Event was hosted by Dennis Quaid who was a champion for the cause before the event began appearing on morning shows and calling in to radio shows to talk about the event. The stars were aligned and all showed up early morning for the cause. The event opened with Dennis Quaid arriving in an armored SWAT vehicle and opening the event alongside Police Commissioner Steve Soboroff and Teri Hatcher. Not far from their sides was boxing Champion and soon to be Hall of Fame inductee Oscar de la Joya and Comedic heavyweight George Lopez along with The People’s Champ MMA Fighter, Tito Ortiz, basketball legend Jerry West, basketball players Jason Collins, Jarron Collins, Hockey Hall of Famer Grant Fuhr, Luche Libre wrestler Mil Mascaras, Danny Masterson, Patrick Warburton, CS Lee, C Thomas Howell, Neal McDonough, Quinton Aaron, Chris Knight, Dennis Haysbert, Mark Moses, Kirk Fox, Richard Karn, Emilio Riviera, Willie Gault, Steven Bauer, Greg Itzin, Paula Trickey, Brandon Molale, Ron Masak, Adrian R’Mante, Robin DiMaggio, Major Crimes stars Michael Paul Chan, Raymond Cruz and Phillip Keene, KTLA’s Frank Buckley, Rizzoli & Isles Stars Bruce McGill and Jordan Bridges.

And the stars continued to pour in throughout the day. Supermodel Joanna Krupa arrived and spent the day meeting with Officers and posing for photos with fans. Baseball legend Tommy Lasorda stopped in to show support paying his respects first to the Memorial Wall before cruising around in the golf cart to say hello to friends, spectators and fans. Teen sensation Nathan Kress, film star Danny Trejo, fan favorite Apollo Creed aka Carl Weathers, Mike & Molly’s Nyambi Nyambi, House of Pain’s Danny Boy, Power Ranger Najee De-Tiege took to the autograph booth to interact with the crowd of fans swarming the course. Media personalities Vic the Brick Jacobs & Pete Demitriou spent the day MC’ing the golf tournament.

As each celebrity arrived they autographed a custom Los Angeles Police Memorial Foundation & PokerStars Poker Table. Each celebrity was photographed while autographing the table which will be auctioned online in the near future to benefit the Memorial Foundation.

The past few months have been a difficult time for the LAPD. This event was a strong reminder that the community cares a lot about our police department and their families. Officers, celebrities, sponsors, and spectators came together to show their support to those who have lost their lives while keeping us safe.

In recent months, the department has lost five Officers in unrelated incidents. With heavy hearts, the Memorial Foundation paid tribute to Officer Nicholas Lee, Officer Chris Cortijo, Detective Ernest Allen, Officer Robert Sanchez & Officer George Nagata as well as all Officers killed in the line of duty acknowledging their service to the community. These Officers & the Officers who have lost their lives before them, will not be forgotten. The Los Angeles Police Protective Memorial Wall was transported to the event where many paid respects.

Proceeds from this event benefits officers who have been killed or critically injured in the line of duty. The Memorial Foundation is the cornerstone of the LAPD employee wellness program & has granted over $15,000,000 without any direct taxpayer money.

The support of the community, sponsors & entertainment industry has been heartwarming. Recently music superstar Rihanna made a contribution to the Memorial Foundation as well as the Los Angeles Police Foundation after meeting LA Police Commission President Steve Soboroff at a Clippers game. Stevie Wonder performed at the funeral service of one officer and TV Stars Ray Romano & Betty White also made charitable contributions.

The Elton John Charitable Fund has been a long-time supporter & continues to be a great help to the Memorial Foundation as well as Live Nation the world’s largest concert promotion company, Kaiser Permanente, In–N-Out Burger, Ahmanson Fund & Outback Steak House who continue to contribute throughout the years. After hearing about the recent tragedies, PokerStars also joined in to help again. They became a supporter of the Memorial Foundation early in 2013 when they sponsored the Foundation’s Celebrity Poker Tournament hosted by the late James Gandolfini.