Thousands Raised for Scholarship Fund at Heroes Benefit Honoring Officer Noah Leotta (VIDEO & PHOTOS)

UPDATED More than 300 first responders, family, friends, and residents turned out for a Heroes Benefit event, which was held in honor of fallen Montgomery County Police Officer Noah Leotta on Sunday. The event was held at the Ballroom at Wheaton Glen. MyMCMedia’s Maureen Chowdhury reports.

Proceeds from the fundraiser went to the Heroes, Inc. scholarship fund, which provides full scholarship to children of fallen first responders.

Roger Marks is a volunteer with Heroes, Inc. and co-organized the fundraiser event. He said that nearly $6,000 was raised for the event from ticket sales alone, and more is expected to be raised through the silent auctions and other fundraising activities at the event.

“Currently Heroes has an excess of 40 scholarships or tuitions that [it’s] responsible for these are all [children] of…folks that have given the ultimate sacrifice,” Marks said.

For Rich Leotta, Officer Leotta’s father, the fundraising event was a way to celebrate his son’s life.

“To me this is different than some of the other events because [it’s] more of a celebration of life, that’s what I see this as,” Leotta said. “We’ve been working very hard over the last 90 days in Annapolis, working to get Noah’s Law passed and as I’ve said Noah died on December 10, 2015, but he was reborn on April 11, 2016 with passage of Noah’s Law. So, I kind of see this as a celebration of that. That [it’s] a kick-off event of his celebration of life honoring Noah and honoring all the first responders that are here tonight,” he said.

The night also featured special performances from artists Lena Markley and Sanford Markley of Brandywine with special guest Kevin James. The Markley’s  dedicated a special rendition of “Greenfields of France,” in honor of Officer Leotta.

For more information about Heroes, Inc., visit the organizations website.

“Greenfields of France” dedicated to Officer Noah Leotta @mymcmedia pic.twitter.com/jROQ4hIsdS

— Maureen Chowdhury (@MediaMaureen) May 1, 2016

Proceeds from tonight’s event will benefit the Heroes, Inc. scholarship fund. @mymcmedia

— Maureen Chowdhury (@MediaMaureen) May 1, 2016

Rich Leotta also says that Noah’s law is scheduled to be signed by Governor Hogan on May 19th. @mymcmedia pic.twitter.com/4ub2wZ6Lxo

— Maureen Chowdhury (@MediaMaureen) May 1, 2016

It’s a celebration of Noah’s life, Rich Leotta, Noah’s father says.@mymcmedia

— Maureen Chowdhury (@MediaMaureen) May 1, 2016

Organizers say more than 300 people are expected tonight and that nearly $6,000 raised from ticket sales.@mymcmedia pic.twitter.com/PoaWXdCZyC

— Maureen Chowdhury (@MediaMaureen) May 1, 2016

At the Heroes Benefit in honor of Officer Noah Leotta in #Wheaton.@mymcmedia pic.twitter.com/CXUu5RV4VE

— Maureen Chowdhury (@MediaMaureen) May 1, 2016

About Maureen Chowdhury

Maureen Chowdhury is a multimedia journalist with Montgomery Community Media. She can be reached at mchowdhury@mymcmedia.org and on Twitter at @MediaMaureen. Maureen authors the blog Sound Check on MyMCMedia.

View all posts by Maureen Chowdhury