Medina VFW donates $5,000 to Medina Township Police Department

MEDINA TWP. — Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5137 in Medina Township presented a check for $5,000 to the Medina Township Police Department on Friday to thank the police for serving the community. VFW Commander Michael Romans said a big part of the funds that the organization raises comes from the charitable electronic bingo machines inside the VFW. "(The money) is not something that we can just squirrel away, so we're encouraged to spend this money," he said. "I think this is a good example of how it can be well used because this also helps our community. That's $5,000 extra that the township has to look at doing what they need to do." The VFW usually focuses its charitable efforts in Medina and Medina County, Romans said. The Medina Township Police Department responded to a robbery at Post 5137 a few years ago, and the VFW wanted to thank the police for their service. "Luckily, nobody got hurt, but you really need to have that partnership with (the police)," he said. "We need to set the example that our police force is here to take care of us and to be here for us when we're in need." Medina Township Police Chief John Minek said the police department has a great working relationship with Post 5137. "We usually don't get many donations at a police department," he said. "They have been so gracious to us. It's fantastic." Minek said the donation will have a major impact on the small department. "We're looking at hiring a couple more full-time officers, which is fantastic that the trustees are allowing us to hire them," he said. "Just to outfit a police officer nowadays, you're looking at over $5,000 just for uniforms. This donation is going to assist us with outfitting a police officer to protect our residents, the VFW and the rest of the businesses in Medina Township." VFW members are part of the community, so their role is to give back to the community, Romans said. "A lot of us, the reason we went into the military is because we want to be part of something bigger than ourselves," he said. "A lot of us still like to serve our community, and this is a way that we can go forth and do that." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.