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Gold Shield's Helping Hand

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 8, 2007

Not long after Hillsborough County Sheriff's Deputy Sergeant Ron Harrison was killed on patrol in Brandon, members of the Gold Shield Foundation paid a visit to the family and delivered a check to his college-age daughter.

Members of the organization have quietly made many such visits over the years, providing support to the families of law enforcement officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty.
Gold Shield provides help when it's most needed, including a quick $5,000 to help the family with immediate expenses.

The program is another example of New York Yankees principal owner George Steinbrenner's commitment to his adopted community.

Steinbrenner founded the organization in 1981 after reading of the death of a local firefighter and discovering the community had no program to help the family. He solicited support and established a program - similar to one he started in New York City - that provides college or vocational training for surviving spouses and children.

Initially, Gold Shield covered only Hillsborough, but it soon expanded to Pinellas, Citrus, Polk, Hernando, Marion and Pasco counties. Even MacDill Air Force Base law enforcement and wildlife officers are covered.

You don't hear much about Gold Shield because it operates behind the scenes. But it changes lives.

There may be no way to lessen a family's sorrow, but Steinbrenner recognized that providing scholarships at least helps survivors look toward the future.

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