Victor Summerville had no idea he would be singled out at the Columbus Police Department’s annual Black and White Ball Friday to raise money for charity.
The 21-year veteran CPD officer took medical leave in February after being diagnosed with colon cancer and undergoing immediate surgery. Five months of chemotherapy sessions later, he knew the department was planning something to benefit him and his family — the CPD frequently holds fundraisers when officers or their family members have severe health problems — but he didn’t realize it would be at the Black and White Ball.
Between ticket sales event and other donations, Friday’s ball raised more than $10,000. More than $2,000 of that came from this year’s silent auction, which included items donated by more than 35 businesses around town.
“It’s overwhelming how God just touched people’s hearts,” Summerville said.
CPD hosts the ball every year to raise money for various events and charities, including National Night Out in August, a city-wide block party which neighborhood watches host to educate the community about crime; the city-wide toy drive in which police officers and community members buy Christmas toys for local low-income children every fall; and the turkey drive every Thanksgiving, when volunteers cook meals and deliver them to the homes of local elderly citizens.
Some of the money raised at the Black and White Ball goes to the families of sick or injured police officers or firefighters, like Summerville.
“Your medical bills, they get really high,” Summerville said. “I’ve probably got over $300,000 (or) $400,000 in medical bills now.”
While Summerville said fundraisers like this are helpful to people in his situation, seeing the community comes together for others gives him hope.
“The way the world is going today, it’s just great to see people (reaching out) to the police officers,” he said.
More than 400 guests filled the Trotter Convention Center Friday, where they were treated to dinner and live music during what Community Police Officer and event organizer Rhonda Sanders called CPD’s “party with a purpose.”
Sanders said she was happy with the turnout and the results. There were so many guests who bought tickets that she and the other organizers had to order more food at the last minute, and more than 35 businesses donated items to the silent auction.
“This is our opportunity to give back to our community,” Sanders said.
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