Dear COBA Members,

I am excited to finally announce the formation of the non-profit, 501c3 Nassau County Correction Officers Charitable Foundation, otherwise known as The Nassau County Correction Officers Foundation Inc.

The Nassau County Correction Officers Foundation, Inc. is not a subsidiary of, affiliated with, controlled by, a division of, or doing business as the Nassau County Sheriff’s Correction Officers Benevolent Association, Inc. (COBA) or The Nassau County Sheriff’s COBA Widow’s and Children’s Fund. The Foundation is not in any way financially connected to, dependent upon, or involved with COBA.

Unlike the Widow’s and Children’s Fund, which is charitable organization to benefit our widows and children of deceased Nassau County Correction Officers and to provide scholarships, the purpose of the Foundation is totally different.

The Foundation is a non-profit, independent charity organization, whose mission is to provide support to Nassau County Correction Officers outside the budgetary constraints of the Nassau County Sheriff’s Department.

The Foundation is committed to developing and fostering strategic partnerships and lasting relationships among the myriads of communities in which our Officers reside. The Foundation was formed to show our appreciation to the men and women who work behind the walls and walk the toughest streets in Nassau County, yet seldom if ever, receive the recognition or praise they rightfully deserve.

To simplify things, COBA itself is unable to fundraise on behalf of its membership and all events and refreshments given to its membership must come financially from the dues collected directly from you, the member.

The Widow’s and Children’s Fund was formed in order to benefit widows or widowers and children of deceased Nassau County Correction Officers; to aid, encourage, stimulate, foster and promote charitable, benevolent, and educational development through grants, stipends, scholarships and financial assistance to deserving recipients.

After reviewing both of these, it was realized that there is no fund or organization set up to help you, the current and active Correction Officer.

Basically, COBA is buying you refreshments and snacks with your own money, withdrawing it from the Unions savings account, which we can all agree isn’t financially prudent and the Widow’s and Children’s Fund isn’t set up for day-to-day Correction Officers.

With that in mind, The Nassau County Correction Officers Foundation was formed as a way to facilitate corporations, businesses and benefactors who are willing to donate to law enforcement and have a direct impact on you, the current Officer.

It is our vison that once up and running, the Foundation will be able to sponsor meals and snacks at the facility for all Platoons and Units as well as fund events for active members. It is our hope that the Foundation will be able to subsidize holiday parties hosted by the various Platoons and Units in order to lower the cost to each member and to sponsor our membership who get involved in their local communities in various aspects.

All of this at ZERO cost to COBA and its membership!!

As many of you saw while I campaigned, I gave out snacks and drinks to the members and always said “if I can do this with my own money for you, imagine what I can do with someone else’s.” Well, the time has come to “stop buying pizza for you with your own money and to start paying for it with donations from generous supporters of law enforcement.”

With the formation of this Foundation, Nassau County Correction Officers now have 3 amazing organizations watching over them, all working in tandem to better the lives both in and out of work for all Nassau County Correction Officers and their families.

1. Nassau COBA will be representing you in all your Union issues and continue to provide the same support it has always done since being formed 25 years ago.

2. Nassau COBA Widow’s and Children’s Fund will be there for your families in the event of something tragic happening to you, supporting the children of Active Officers through scholarships and supporting the children of those Officers who have passed while in active employment with the Department.

3. The Nassau County Correction Officers Foundation will have a direct impact on you the current and active Correction Officers, in hopes of raising morale amongst membership and building inroads to the communities in which we live.

If anyone has any further questions, please feel free to reach out to me directly and we look forward to serving you in the near future.

Pete Lilli