Hundreds Turn Out For Kuzak Benefit

The South Park Clubhouse was packed tight on Monday with those wishing to show their love and support of Clairton police officer James Kuzak Jr.  April 4.

The crowd of well-wishers overflowed out the front doors of the restaurant, and even spilled out to two white tents set up in the back of the establishment just for this event.

Among the crowd was the former Cecil Township officer's mother, Beverly Kuzak, who said the amount of  has been more than they ever imagined possible.

“I cannot believe all of the support. It is just unbelievable. Everybody has been so wonderful,” she said.

While the community continues to rally together to show appreciation for the officer's service during his time of need, James Kuzak continues down the road to recovery.

“He is slowly coming along. It is a lot of hard work, but he's a strong kid. He'll be all right,” his mother said.

Monday night's festivities included multiple 50-50 raffles, a Chinese auction, T-shirt and raffle ticket sales. The first 50-50 raffle alone was worth $1,840. The Chinese auction included hockey jerseys donated by Pittsburgh Penguins Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, a Superbowl XLV football signed by the Steelers and two 51-inch plasma televisions.

The evening's festivities were organized by South Park police Officer Rich Griffith. Griffith said he spoke to Kuzak and assured him he would do the best he could to raise money and support for his longtime friend.

“We knew all what we did was going to be based entirely on donations from people's hearts, so we just have to wait and see how much heart people have,” said Griffith.

Griffith was joined by close to 100 volunteers, including 22 police officers and several of his own family members in making the event a success. Among those was his daughter, Justine, who designed the T-shirts that were being sold.

According to Justine, every part of the shirt has a meaning. The shirt itself is black, because police officers can only wear black shirts under their uniforms. It is not meant to be black in mourning, she said, but rather so officers can wear it and remember to stay safe. The writing is in blue to commemorate "the thin blue line."

To date, approximately 4,500 shirts have been sold, with the New York Police Department calling in an order of 1,000 to show its support for a fellow officer. Griffith said people need to rethink the way they look at the police who are there to protect them, and remember they are about more than writing tickets. Officers are only as safe and protected as the public they serve makes them, and one call can change an entire future.

“He is going to be all right, but Jimmy is going to have a life ahead of him that has changed,” said Griffith.

For information on upcoming fundraisers, blood drives and for information on how to buy a T-shirt, bracelet or decal in support of Kuzak, visit www.officerjimkuzak.com.