Officer Mike Newton Update

WHO IS MIKE NEWTON?

Mike Newton is a recently retired Police officer who served the community of West Covina for 25 years. His service would have continued but Mike was stricken with Leukodystrophy, a progressive disease that affects the white blood cells in the brain. Mike's current condition has him confined to a wheel chair and unable to speak. He is only able to communicate by pointing to an alphabet chart. Because swallowing food is extremely difficulty for him, a feeding tube has become necessary to provide him with needed nutrients.

Mike has four children ranging in age from 18 to 6 years old. The eldest son turned down numerous colleges to stay close to his father. If dealing with this tragedy was not enough for the family, Mike's wife Susan was recently diagnosed with cancer and is currently undergoing chemotherapy while she continues to work, commuting to Los Angeles.

Needless to say this family is in need of a helping hand to provide the long term care that Mike needs and deserves. So the members of West Covina let no grass grow under their feet, using the Member Appreciation Day Function as a Mike Assistance Day. They held a raffle with over 20 prizes and rose over $500.00, making the very first deposit into the Newton Family Trust Fund . Way to go guys!!

Many other donations have since been made and with the efforts of a steering committee comprised of both active and retired West Covina Employees, ways to raise public awareness and participation continues. In fact a Benefit Motorcycle Ride will be held on Saturday, September 10th with all proceeds going to the Newton Family Trust.

If you are interested in participating in this event, or offering a tax free donation, please contact Donna Leonard at (626) 939-8515 or email donna.leonard@wcpd.org

UpComing Events

Friday - August 26th, 2005
Cruisin with the Girlz --
Antique Police Cars and Hot Rods

Marie Callender's
3117 E. Garvey Ave.,
West Covina CA 91791

If your department has a vehicle they would like to display or if you would like to display your personal vehicle or motorcycle, call Tony Wilson (626) 967-0341 or (626) 826-2941.

Saturday - September 10, 2005

Scootin for Newton
Benefit Motorcycle Ride
West Covina Police Department
1444 W. Garvey Ave.
West Covina

and

The West Covina Senior Citizens Center
2501 E. Cortez,
West Covina

Registration starts at 7:30 am. Ride starts at 9:00 am
Party Starts at 11:30 am

The ride will last approximately 3 hours. We will travel to Toms Farms in Corona, stop for a break and then travel back to the West Covina Senior Citizens center.

Tickets $30.00 - for a single rider
$40.00 - for a rider with a passenger
Prizes - T-shirts - Food - Drink - and Fun
all for a good cause

For more details contact Donna Leonard (626) 939-8515 or donna.leonard@wcpd.org

Sunday - September 25, 2005
Mike Newton Retirement Party
Embassy Suites Hotel
Tickets $25.00 -

Only 400 tickets available for Police, Fire Department, and City Government Personnel only please
Must be purchased by September 19th.
There will be a Silent Auction at the party.