Peter Repovich

February, 2010

Taking the Eagle & Badge Foundation into 2010, I would like to shed some light on the president of your foundation, Arthur Kassel. He has been at the helm of the Eagle & Badge Foundation since its inception. He has been in and around law enforcement for many years, helping organizations such as the DEA, LASO, LAPD, FBI and the Secret Service, just to name a few. Kassel’s commitment to all of us in public service is to be commended, and indeed, he has been recognized and shown appreciation by rank-and-file police officers, as well as chiefs of police.

The reason I write my article about Mr. Kassel this month is to give you a glimpse of the Eagle & Badge Foundation and to raise awareness of the nonprofit’s participation at the League and within the community.

The Eagle & Badge Foundation has grown immensely over the years, yet it really is at the early stages of becoming an even larger and greater organization. Arthur Kassel has recruited a well-connected group of individuals who comprise the Eagle & Badge Board of Governors and, with the same passion, has assembled a Board of Directors with individuals from areas ranging from the corporate and legal arenas to representatives from the law enforcement community.

Arthur Kassel is an elderly statesman who hasn’t slowed with age or time. His commitment to raise funds, host events and lead the Eagle & Badge Board, alongside the Police Protective League Board, is a tremendous challenge. The foundation has been tremendously successful due, in large part, to the diverse individuals within the Board and because of Kassel’s energetic leadership.

Each year, the boards of the Eagle & Badge Foundation, LAPPL and Tichi Wilkerson-Kassel Parkinson’s Foundation host a major fundraiser at the Century Plaza Hotel.

It is both awesome and humbling to see the resources donated by individuals, organizations and community leaders at these yearly gala events — and it is common to net $600,000 to $800,000. Not only are the functions well attended, they’re also a lot of fun. It is virtually a grand showing of “who’s who” in the community, and law enforcement shows up en masse to enjoy the fun. The best part is that the event is centered on honoring leaders from law enforcement, business and the community.

When you see pictures of the gala in the Blue Line or other newspapers, you will see lots of Arthur Kassel. I have to be brutally honest here: Mr. Kassel loves the picture-taking part and is well known for that!

After all the tables are put away, the auction items are sold and the honorees have received their awards, the task of determining our net profit goes into full gear. From those proceeds, we then continue our very important task of distributing the monies to those truly in need. The monies go directly to LAPD families or to community members who have demonstrated a need that the Board feels is consistent with our bylaws and which, by law, fits the IRS definition of charitable. In 2009, the Board distributed over 35 grants or donations.

This year, the League Board of Directors has authorized the creation of an Eagle & Badge Delegate Committee. This group of delegates will play an integral part in guiding the Eagle & Badge Foundation’s direction and accomplishing our mission. The delegate members are Robert Acosta, Vincent Aguirre, Lori Jordane, Javier Lozano, Alex Ortiz, Karen Reade, Rogelio Reynoso, Gazellia Roberson, Jessie Simon and Jim Stoa.

As the chairman of the Eagle & Badge Foundation, I would like to publicly thank the new Eagle & Badge Delegate Committee, the Board of Directors of the LAPPL, the Board of Directors of the Eagle & Badge Foundation and the Board of Governors, which includes Donald T. Sterling, chairman; Chuck Ashman; H.F. “Bert” Boeckmann; Rick Caruso; Mark Deitch; Rudy Durand; Collin Gilbert; Emerson Glazer; Robert H. Lorsch; Brad O’Leary; Margie Petersen; Jaclyn Rosenberg; Steve Wallace; and Art Duran.

Lastly, a very special thanks to Eagle & Badge Foundation President Arthur Kassel for his tireless efforts and dedication, and for his friendship to the League’s Board of Directors.

To find out more about the Eagle and Badge Foundation, go to our website, eagleandbadgefoundation.org, or contact Scherr Lillico at e-mail: scherr@eagleandbadgefoundation.org or at (818) 994-4661.

This month the foundation is jumpstarting their 2010 membership drive (see page 29 for details).