Spring Fling Raises $20K For Annapolis Police Scholarship Fund

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Spring Fling 2019 was held March 19 at the Annapolis Market House on City Dock to benefit the Annapolis Police Department's scholarship fund. An anonymous donor matched $7,200 against the monies raised through ticket sales, donations and the live and silent auctions bringing the total raised to over $20,000, according to a news release.

More than 150 attendees dined on offerings from the Annapolis Market House, Caliente Grill, Iron Rooster, Graul’s Market Catering, Lemongrass, Mission BBQ and Vin 909.

Local attorney/philanthropist/musician F. Joseph Gormley, took on the role of auctioneer with four of the premiere prizes including a tailgate package for the 2019 Annapolis Cup Croquet Match (tailgate spot and 10 tickets), a VIP experience at the Military Bowl, a behind the scenes experience with the Annapolis Police Department and an autographed baseball from Hall of Famer and Annapolitan Cal Ripken.

Lt. Kevin Krauss of the Annapolis Police Department Community Services Unit said he was thrilled with this inaugural event. “We hope to grow the scholarship fund so that each recipient will receive $1,000 for all four years of college or trade school. This was our first fundraiser and it was an incredible party," he said in a news release. "Annapolis is a special place and Annapolitans are simply amazing people. It was an incredible night.”

Krauss works with Annapolis youth through numerous community programs. He is spearheading the scholarship fund and is already working on the next event to support Annapolis teens.

Among those at the event were past recipients of the scholarship program, Mayor Gavin Buckley, City Manager Theresa Sutherland, Acting Police Chief Paul Herman, along with city, civic and business leaders, residents, and even a few tourists that thought it looked like a great party. Live music was provided by Annapolis singer and guitarist Ryan Kozel.

In recognition of the Annapolis Police Department’s 150th Anniversary in 2017, the department launched the Annapolis Police Scholarship Fund. Five scholarships have been awarded to Annapolis youths. The fund was established with the goal of assisting graduating high school seniors who live in Annapolis.

This year seven scholarships will be awarded through the Annapolis Police Scholarship Fund. The additional $5,000 in funding was donated anonymously, to be awarded in honor of the victims of the Capital Gazette shooting: Gerald Fischman, Rob Hiaasen, John McNamara, Rebecca Smith and Wendi Winters.

The Annapolis Police Scholarship Fund is a 501C3.

You can support the fund by ordering Papa John’s Pizza in Annapolis, (115 Hillsmere Drive and 2625 Housely Road). Place your order with promo code APDSCHOLAR40 to receive 40 percent off all regular menu prices, 10 percent of your order total will go to the Annapolis Police Scholarship Fund. The code is valid on their app and their website.

The Spring Fling was sponsored by Annapolis Market House, Chesapeake Properties, Frances Marketing Group, LLC and the Annapolis Police Department. For information on how to make donations to the Scholarship Fund contact Lt. Kevin Krauss at 410-268-9000 or kckrauss@annapolis.gov. For more information on how to apply for scholarships, go to www.annapolis.gov/police.