The Heroes Club Partners in Public Safety and Law Enforcement
Writer / Ryan Kennedy
Photographer/Sarah Browning
The law enforcement officers and firefighters of the City of Carmel and Clay Township put their lives on the line every day in order to protect residents and their families. They also protect the businesses where citizens work and shop.
When public servants are killed in the line of duty, their dependent family members may require additional assistance. These public safety officials who ensure our safety should never be without a safety net themselves. The Heroes Club ensures that they never are.
The Heroes Club was founded in September 1996 when a group of Carmel-based business executives and concerned citizens came together in search of a way to support local public safety officials. Today, the Heroes Club provides a community forum for both citizens and businesses to express their appreciation as well as show their support for those who keep the community safe.
The foundation of this support exists in the form of an accidental death insurance policy, provided to a designated beneficiary of any firefighter, police officer, or public safety employee who falls in the line of duty within Clay Township and the City of Carmel. The policy covers the women and men of the Carmel Fire Department, the Carmel Police Department and members of the Hamilton County Sheriffs Department and Indiana State Police who serve the City of Carmel and Clay Township.
Originally, the policy would pay $50,000. After the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the need for a safety net became more evident and the coverage was increased to $150,000. Today, the benefit stands at $400,000, funded by the members who support the Heroes Club every year. Annual membership dues cover the cost of the insurance premium, which is paid out each January.
The Heroes Club is a 501(c) (3) organization, meaning that membership fees are tax deductible.
One important thing about the organization is that it’s 100% volunteer-based every dollar actually goes to the bottom line, says Heroes Club president Tom Melangton. When you become a donor, your entire contribution goes directly to support our public safety officers. It’s one of the largest policies in the world funded by a volunteer based, non-profit organization.
The Heroes Club also provides grants for training equipment and any other needs the local public safety officials may need.
It could be portable defibrillators for the police vehicles. It could come in the form of many different things, Melangton says. We just want to continue to support them and give them whatever they need to always be on the front end of technology.
When a member of the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office died from COVID-19 last year, the Heroes Club donated money to help cover the memorial service and the luncheon afterwards. The Heroes Club also donated money for the Carmel Police awards banquet as well as for the Carmel Fire Departments awards banquet.
On Oct. 10, 2022, the Heroes Club held its flagship event, the 25th Annual Golf4Heroes Golf Outing. The outing provides an opportunity for members of the Heroes Club and the Carmel business community to show their support for local public safety officers. Participants in the outing join firefighters and police officers in a round of golf. Each community player sponsors a public safety official with their golfing fees and hole sponsorships. The community players and public safety officials are paired together for a unique opportunity to interact.
The event was held at the prestigious Woodland Country Club in Carmel and featured prizes, plenty of food, a live band and a challenging round of golf.
Its just a great day, a fabulous opportunity to bring everyone together, Melangton says.
For more information about how to become a member of The Heroes Club and support those who protect and serve the citizens of the City of Carmel and Clay Township, visit theheroesclub.org and download the membership brochure, join online or send an email to info@theheroesclub.org.
