Dear Fellow Retired Sergeant,
As we embrace this joyful holiday season, I want to take a moment to extend my warmest wishes to you and your families. This time of year is not only about celebration and reflection but also about the connections we share within our community.
This year is the RSA’s 30th Year Anniversary. Thank You Harold Kamien and the others who made this possible. We currently have two board members who were founding members, Secretary John Foster and Trustee Dominick Petruccelli, who are celebrating their 30th Year Anniversary. Please note that the SBA Holiday Luncheon at Russo on the Bay, is December 20th, 2024 at 12:00PM, please come visit us at our table.
I’d like to remind everyone to pay your 2025 Membership Dues at your earliest convenience to assist us in keeping administrative cost down. Your support and participation are what make our organization thrive. As we look forward to a new year filled with opportunities and growth, I encourage you to ensure that your dues are paid. This small act goes a long way in helping us achieve our goals and continue our important work.
I’m thrilled to announce our ongoing 50/50 scholarship raffles are once again at an all-time high. Each ticket purchased helps support a member’s child/grandchild in their educational journeys, and you could also win big! Last year 3 students were given $5000.00 each. The drawing will be held at our Florida Meeting on January 22, 2025. Don’t forget to book your reservations early! We often sell out quickly, and we want to make sure you don’t miss out on this terrific opportunity.
I would like to thank all those who purchased an RSA 9/11 Memorial Bourbon Whiskey Bottle, with your purchase 100% of the net proceeds was donated back to the SBA Widows and Orphans Fund. We were proud to partner with the First Responder Society, who made this possible. On October 24, 2022, the RSA Board of Directors presented a check to President Vinny Vallelong in the amount of $ 8550.00. I couldn’t be happier that our organization accomplished this great task.
Our Golf Outing was completely sold out. I had the pleasure of presenting a replica of The Police Memorial Statue to Ret. Lieutenant Michael Casey from Jet Blue, Mike is a True “Blue” Friend of the RSA. I like to thank the Board and extend a heartfelt thank you to Jeanette Dice, Director of Health & Wellness, for organizing such a successful golf outing. Your hard work and attention to detail truly made the event memorable for everyone involved. From the planning stages to the final putt, everything was executed flawlessly. We appreciate your dedication and effort in bringing everyone together for a day of fun and camaraderie. Looking forward to more successful events in the future!
Our September General Membership meeting was held at a new spacious location with plenty of parking. We still managed to fill the place. Carol Karpinski, Optum RX Representative and Errol Ogman, SBA Health & Welfare Administrator spoke about our prescription benefits, many questions were taken from the floor. A special display of Police Memorabilia was set up by RSA member John Schroeder from the NYPD Police Museum. And thanks to Trustee Jonathan Schwartz who had his vintage RMP on display. We also had many vendors and supporters of the RSA in attendance.
A special congratulations to RSA Member Steve Chan, winner of NYS Senate District -17. We as a membership wish you much success.
I can’t tell you how proud I am to be a part of this organization and honored to have been chosen by the Retired Detectives NYPD as their honoree for October. I have witnessed the growth of the organization and have spoken with the Kamien family who expressed that their father would be so happy if he could have witnessed how far we’ve come. Thank You all for being part of this journey.
Fraternally,
Robert Cotumaccio
President
