Carmel lends huge support for first responders, the real heroes

By STU CLAMPITT
news@readthereporter.com

The Heroes Club was formed in 1996 by a group of Carmel businessmen who recognized the need to support local heroes and their families in their times of need, especially if they die in the line of duty. Now they also provide supplementary insurance for counseling.

The Heroes Club annual fundraiser was held Tuesday evening, May 6 at the 3UP Rooftop, 201 W. Main St., Carmel. During and after the event, The Reporter spoke to several people about their involvement with the organization and what it means to the first responders who serve Carmel.

Founders Chuck and Lynn Lazzara have been involved in The Heroes Club since its inception in 1996.

“It evolved in the first 10 years sort of slowly,” Lazzara said. “All we tried to do is raise enough money to pay for the insurance policy. But in the last 20 years, it’s gotten a lot more involvement and we are getting more people involved in it. My daughter got involved about 10 years ago and was on the board. My son was involved in it, who owns Anthony’s. Lynn’s brother is Matt Frye, the president. It’s been in our family for 30 years, and I kept encouraging them.”

Founders Chuck and Lynn Lazzara have been involved in The Heroes Club since its inception in 1996. (Reporter photo)

Carmel Police Chief Drake Sterling learned about The Heroes Club from then-president Tom Melangton at one of the first meetings he had as Chief. One of the things he appreciates about the club is the new mental health gap insurance coverage.

Sterling

“So obviously, we’ve seen a shift here probably in the past decade or maybe a little bit more where we’re trying to take better care of our officers,” Sterling said. “As Carmel PD, I feel like we’ve done a pretty good job of providing services, of destigmatizing mental health, of having a culture of positive mental health. This helps build upon that. If there’s a gap, the Heroes Club will be there to support us.”

In addition to the life insurance and mental health insurance coverage, Sterling is grateful for the club’s financial support in other areas.

“They’ve supported us through some grants for equipment,” Sterling said. “For example – I think it was last summer – we needed a canine kennel that we weren’t able to fund through our general fund. One of the members of the Heroes Club jumped up and offered that up. It’s a giving group of people who are in it for the right reasons. And it’s just amazing.”

Heroes Club has been working with Carmel Fire Department for a number of years, a relationship Chief Joel Thacker is grateful for.

“The relationship continues to grow stronger all the time,” Thacker said. “We see kind of the worst of humanity every day, and it takes its toll on us, both physically and mentally. We’re grateful for the Heroes Club to come along and support police officers, firefighters, their families, when, God forbid, they have a line-of-duty death. That partnership – that support – means a great deal to all of those that are in uniform here in this city.”

Carmel Fire Chief Joel Thacker and several of his firemen took a moment to pose for this shot. (Reporter photo)

Carmel Mayor Sue Finkam is also a strong advocate for the club and the work it does.

Finkam

“The Heroes Club provides vital financial protection for our first responders’ families in their time of greatest need,” Finkam told The Reporter, “This support represents our community’s unwavering commitment to those who risk everything to keep us safe. When tragedy strikes, our heroes’ families aren’t left to face hardship alone – it’s our solemn promise to honor their sacrifice and service to Carmel.”

Carmel Heroes Club President Matt Frey, who also owns Bub’s Burgers, has been involved with the club for seven years.

“I own a business in Carmel, in Bloomington, in Zionsville, in the airport,” Frey said. “Who do you call if you’re in trouble? Who do you call if you’re out of town and your alarm goes off? They just show up and they’re tromping through snow or they’re in rain. They’ll just do whatever they have to do. We all get dressed every day and get in our cars and go to work, but these guys actually put a uniform on with a gun. They have to protect themselves or run into a fire. It’s quite courageous – more than selling cheeseburgers! So why not support the people who protect us? It’s obvious common sense.”

Two new forms of coverage The Heroes Club provides to first responders are supplemental mental health coverage and coverage that pays out immediately upon a cancer diagnosis. The club has provided line-of-duty death insurance since its inception in 1996. But even that coverage has recently expanded.

“Surrounding communities are also protected if they come in our area,” Frey said. “For example, if a Westfield police officer does a chase in the Carmel Clay area and unfortunately dies in the line of duty, his beneficiary gets the [insurance payout]. Right now because it’s brand new. So that’s the mission.”

In order to carry out that mission, The Heroes Club needs both more members and more money to fund the various ways it supports first responders. You can learn more, join the club, and donate money to this 501(c)(3) organization online at TheHeroesClub.org/join.