ISP charity gets local boost

Illinois State Police District 19 retired troopers and current staff, along with local businesses and vendors, donated items that were auctioned off Dec. 8 For the District 19, 14th annual in-house Charity Auction.

"I would like to recognize and thank all those who made the Charity Auction a success," said Captain Kelly Hodge. "If it was not for the continued generosity of those involved, these monetary donations would not have been possible."

At the end of the day, $2,450 was raised from the Charity Auction and other monetary donations. As a result, District 19, will be able to make a $350 donation to charitable organizations already identified in each of the seven counties it serves. The donations are being made to those charitable organizations coordinating programs for underprivileged children in the area this holiday season.

"One of our range officers is also a trooper," said Roman Kuppart, owner of Point Blank Range. "He was going to make a donation and we decided to contribute."

In their two years of operation, Point Blank Range has made it a point to donate to local charities. This year they opted to contribute to the ISP Charity Auction. Kuppart donated 2 AR Magazines and 2 sweatshirts with the shop's logo on them.

"This is our first time donating to the charity auction, we have made donations to the FOP in the past," Kuppart said.

Others who donated were Saline County Circuit Clerk, Amy's Sweet Gallery, Carmi Fitness Center, Cherry Street Automotive, DiMaggio's Pizza, Palace Cleaners, Wooly Wash, Mimmo's Pizza, Larry's Gun Shop, and Southern Illinois Pool.