Santa Paula Police Sgt. Jimmy Fogata became the first recipient of the Optimist Club of Santa Paula’s new award program recognizing police and fire personnel. Optimist Club President Cathy Hicks presented the award to Fogata noting his dedication to helping the club with their annual Christmas Parade and other community events.

New recognition program: Fogata
honored by Optimist Club of Santa Paula

January 13, 2016
Santa Paula News

The Optimist Club of Santa Paula started a new program and Santa Paula Police Sgt. Jimmy Fogata was the first recipient of a special award for peace officers.

Fogata was honored at a recent meeting held at the Knights of Columbus Hall attended by District 14/Zone 3 Lt. District Governor Eliot Golomb of the Canyon Country Optimist Club. 

The Santa Paula club, founded in 1961, follows the mission of Optimist, “By providing hope and positive vision, Optimists bring out the best of kids” whose lives the members are devoted to bettering.

“Jimmy is the first police officer we’re honoring,” said Optimist Club President Cathy Hicks. 

The club sponsors the annual Christmas and Halloween parades and “He’s been with us for every parade…and we can always rely on his advice and help for all our events.”

Fogata, who was accompanied by his family, Police Chief Steve McLean, Reserve Sgt. Dave Curran and Cadet Martha Reynolds-Brown, received a plaque, gift cards and a book.

“I’ve seen on Facebook that you like cooking,” said Hicks, who presented Fogata with a cookbook, noting that because of his career the book was aptly named “The Kitchen Detective”.

Fogata thanked his family and friends and noted Curran runs the Explorer program as a volunteer among other duties he performs.

Costs to stage special events and parades have been an issue in recent years for the Optimist Club and Fogata said he has tried to “mitigate…I know those costs can hurt your fundraising,” by redirecting revenue away from children’s activities and programs sponsored by the club.

“Santa Paula,” he noted, “is all about volunteers…”

Fogata joined the SPPD 28 years ago in June and he has acted as a patrol officer, hostage negotiator and was a K9 Officer, “That was my favorite, I loved working with the dogs…”

As the father of school age children Fogata said he has also staged fundraising events and appreciates the challenges. 

And that means on both sides of event planning: “I know I upset some people along the way,” by making sure rules are adhered to but “We have to keep it in order.”

“We usually honor a student of the month,” said Hicks, “but it’s also very important to honor our police and fire…we could not do the parades without the police. And they do help us keep the costs down to provide special events to the community…”

Funding is essential and the interruption of one major event, the Rotary Club Pumpkin Patch, meant a loss to the Optimists who handled the parking for the festival held every weekend in October. 

Hicks said the club is lucky to have many supporters that donate goods, services and cash for its programs and activities.

“I really appreciate what the Optimists have done for youth,” said Fogata.

Longtime Optimist Club Parade Coordinator Ron Merson noted that on a rare occasion he and Fogata had minor conflicts, “It’s really a pleasure to work with you!”

Fogata countered that he enjoys the parades and has special memories of riding in the procession with a K9 wearing dark glasses.

But, added, “My main goal is safety, that’s what it’s all about.”

“Santa Paula,” said Lt. District Governor Golomb, “is my favorite club…it’s remarkable what they do,” for and with the community and how often they do it.





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