The Woodward Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) is currently selling tickets for a gospel concert to be held in August.
Residents have been receiving phone calls about the event, but have not been sure if the organization is legitimate.
Detective Sgt. Billy Parker of the FOP, said members of Haystack Productions, a production company that FOP is working with for the first time this year, has been making phone calls to residents. The company is legitimate Parker said.
“We have two fundraisers each year and if someone calls and it is not one of those two things then it is not for FOP, it’s for something else,” Parker said.
The two fundraisers FOP sponsors every year are a golf scramble, held at Boiling Spings, and the gospel concert.
The golf scramble is being held today. The gospel concert featuring the Kingsmen Gospel Quartet will be held August 13.
Parker said that in the past the two events have always been held farther apart. But this year because the Kingsmen Quartet could be brought to Woodward, Parker said the event was moved up.
The Kingsmen are from Asheville, N.C. and have been in existence for 56 years. They are members of the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
This year the group has been nominated for Album of the Year and Song of the Year. Their song “When God Ran” was number one in January and February. Another single from their latest album, “The Cloud He’s Coming Back On,” will be number four on the charts in July.
All funds raised by the two events will be donated to different charities Parker said. In the past the United Way and Relay for Life have been charities FOP has given money to.
FOP also uses funds to help provide equipment for the police force that tax dollars might not cover. Parker mentioned a couple of the K-9 units the force has were paid for by FOP. Also communications equipment was purchased by the group.
A few years ago, Parker said FOP donated money to help families who had their homes burned down. They also help out families of officers who have medical emergencies.
“We thank the citizens and businesses of Woodward,” Parker said. “Times are tough and we had to really think twice about doing both fundraisers this year. But the people we’ve talked to have been positive about it.”
The Kingsmen concert will be at the Woodward High School Auditorium. It will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Donna Hay of Haystack Productions said that after July 4 tickets should be available at Paradise Christian Bookstore. Tickets can also be bought by calling 580-252-5676.
