Correctional Facility staff raise $7K for American Heart Association

Press release, New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association

ALBION – Officers from the Orleans Correctional Facility held their second annual charity golf tournament on Aug. 18 and raised $7,000 for the American Heart Association in honor of an officer who recently passed away from a heart-related condition.

The charity event, which had more than 150 participants at the Batavia Country Club, raised $7,000 in the name of Officer Duane Catanesi, who passed away suddenly in January.

Fellow officers and civilian staff from Orleans organized the tournament and had assistance from officers from Attica and Gowanda Correctional Facilities. The tournament was also supported from local businesses in the area that donated raffle items and sponsored tee signs.

Last year the tournament benefited the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in honor of an officer who could no longer work after he was diagnosed with MS. The 2013 tournament raised $6,500 for the MS Society.

“I would like to thank each and every officer who volunteered their time in organizing and participating in this important charity event,” said Western Region Vice President Mike Dildine. “For the past two years this tournament has supported two important organizations that are very close to our members’ hearts. They not only raised money to support these two organizations, but they did it in honor of two fellow officers and their families. NYSCOPBA members raise money for a wide variety of charities and local community organizations throughout the year and our members should be proud of the impact they have on those organizations.”