VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) – Many people are wondering how they can donate and help the families of the two Virginia Beach police officers who lost their lives over the weekend.
Officer Christopher Reese, 30, and Officer Cameron Girvin, 25, were both shot while conducting a traffic stop late Friday night. Reese passed away that night while Girvin died in the hospital the following morning. The suspect in the case took his own life.
Tributes and condolences have poured in from all over the area, and a memorial was set up in front of Virginia Beach’s Fourth Precinct.
Many have wondered how they can donate to help the families of these fallen officers.
How to Help
The Virginia Beach Police Foundation is a charitable, non-profit, private organization distinct and separate from the Virginia Beach Police Department and the city of Virginia Beach.
“The Foundation is a resource to the Police Department to supplement the funding provided by the City of Virginia Beach,” according to their website.
Click here to make an online donation.
If you would prefer to mail a check, please send it to:
- Virginia Beach Police Foundation
PO Box 56385
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
The Virginia Beach Police Foundation told 10 On Your Side it will help the families as long as they need it.
There are also GoFundMe accounts set up for each of the officer’s families. See the page for Girvin’s family here, and Reese’s family here.
Community Fundraisers
Along with the Virginia Beach Police Foundation, several local businesses have stepped in ready to raise funds and lend their support, taking to social media to alert people about their plans.
Virginia Beach Restaurant Association
The Virginia Beach Restaurant Association (VBRA) is collecting gift cards to be distributed to the families of the fallen officers. Gift cards can be purchased from VBRA member restaurants at www.dineinvb.com/gift-cards or from any restaurant in our community.
The public is encouraged to contribute by donating restaurant gift cards, along with a personal note if desired.
Donations can be dropped off at the VBRA office at 1206 Laskin Road, Suite 201, Virginia Beach, VA 23451, Monday through Friday, between 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.. Digital gift cards may be emailed to Contact@dineinvb.com.
Cockeyed Rooster Cafe
The Cockeyed Rooster Cafe located at 1268 Benns Church Blvd in Smithfield will be donating 20% of all proceeds Saturday, March 1 and Sunday, March 2 to the VBPD Foundation that we will hold next Saturday and Sunday at our restaurant. The restaurant is open from 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.
SuperHeroes Ice Cream
SuperHeroes Ice Cream and Pizza announced a fundraiser for the fallen officers. According to this post, 100% of all sales March 1 made between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. will go directly to the families.
Haygood Skating Center
The owner of Haygood Skating Center says the business has been around for more than 52 years, and after hearing the news about Reese and Girvin he reminded him of the tragic shooting at the Virginia Beach Municipal Complex in 2019. He knew he had to help. On Sunday, more than 200 people laced up their skates raising more than $2,000 for the families.
“One lady came up and she’s a 911 dispatcher,” the owner of the skating center, Shaggy Stokes said. “She cried at the window, came in, and sat down on these benches for about an hour and smiled. And then when she was leaving, she said, ‘I haven’t smiled since 3 a.m. Saturday morning.'”
From skating to beer, Thin Line Brewing was founded by first responders.
Thin Brew Line
Thin Brew Line, located on Oceana Boulevard, said on Facebook that 100% of all proceeds from its Braitchre Thar Gach Ni Irish Stout will go to the families of Cameron Girvin and Christopher Reese.
“It kind of hits you the same way, even retired,” said Bobby Winn a brewer at Thin Brew Line.” “And we’ve always done fundraisers for the families. So working this position, it seemed like a good idea that we could at least offer up a beer and 100% proceeds going to the family.”
The beer is named after a Gaelic expression that translates to “brothers above all.” Winn told 10 On Your Side people have called in to buy beers for VBPD officers and the brewery now has a pay it forward wall.
“It’s touching to see how people are realizing it just doesn’t just affect the families, but it affects, you know, all the officers as well,” said Jay Gates, owner.
Zero Subs Oceanfront
100% of sales on Feb. 26 are going to support the families of the officers, according to their Facebook. Located at 632 Virginia Beach Boulevard.
Sandbridge Tattoo
Sandbridge Tattoo is offering a 20% discount for all tattoos for the Virginia Beach Police Department. Artists will have flash sheets to show in support of the VBPD in memory of Officers Girvin and Reese. All proceeds go toward supporting the families.
Chick’s Oyster Bar
Chick’s Oyster Bar, located at 2143 Vista Circle, will be hosting a $30 all-you-can-eat Oyster Roast and Crawfish Boil on Sunday, March 2 from noon to 4 p.m. 100% of wristband proceeds will go towards the Virginia Beach Police Foundation. More information on the event can be found here.
Born United
The owner of Born United, Kasey Willis, who knew both of the fallen officers, will be making memorial t-shirts to honor both Girvin and Reese. 100% of the proceeds for the memorial shirt will go towards the families of Officers Girvin Reese.
17th Street Automotive
17th Street Automotive is hosting a charity car wash March 15 and March 17 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at 17th Street Automotive, and on March 16 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at ShinePro. All proceeds from the charity event will go towards the families of the fallen officers.
We will continue to update this list as more businesses come in. You can also let us know about businesses who are donating at this link: digital-release.wavy.com/report-it/
