Rotary Helps COP House With Spring Cleaning

(KNSI) – St. Cloud Rotary participated in a spring cleanup at the COP House earlier this month. It continues a tight-knit relationship between the organization and the Greater St. Cloud Public Safety Committee, which oversees the outpost.

Troy Fritz serves in both groups. He says Rotary has given a significant amount of cash to the endeavor.

“Rotary provided a lead grant, I think we did $75,000. And then after that, we added another $50,000 to help with the costs of building the house. In addition to that, Rotary also has provided program funding for the COP House and youth activities over the last couple of years,” says Fritz.

The activities are scheduled by Sergeant Ryan Sayre and a panel of officers within the police department. They present to the committee on their plans at least once a quarter.

Two more outposts are planned and Fritz says he isn’t sure yet what the commitment will be from Rotary for the facilities. He expects some financial assistance to be provided, as two of the people responsible for the projects are fellow Rotarians.

“Dave Bentrud, who is the police chief in Waite Park, who is actively involved in the Waite Park one, along with Mary Swingle from the Boys and Girls Club are both Rotarians. So, while they are kind of looking at developing this through their professions, law enforcement and Boys and Girls Club, they also have that link and that tie into Rotary, as well.”

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