200 Club of the Coastal Empire F.A.Q.

How did the 200 Club get its name?
In 1950 a Detroit businessman asked 100 of his friends and associates to help the family of a slain police officer. Since then 120 such clubs have developed in many cities and they all use the word "hundred" in their name.

What does the 200 Club do?
The purpose of The 200 Club is to help provide for the surviving spouses and dependents of law enforcement officers, firefighters and paramedics who lose their lives in the line of duty. This includes all federal, state, county and local officers, firefighters and paramedics stationed in and working out of 20 counties within the "Coastal Empire".

Do we cover all family members?
Our benefits go to surviving spouses, dependents and even surviving parents if they were actually dependent on the deceased for their support. Our educational assistance is available to children and even those children from former marriages.

Do all deaths qualify for coverage by the 200 Club?
No. When a law enforcement officer, firefighter or paramedic dies as a result of a law enforcement or a firefighting function in the line of duty, the 200 Club will respond immediately. The club also responds to certain off-duty deaths and critical injuries of active law enforcement officers and firefighters.

What support does the 200 Club provide?
Within one week of a fatality, the 200 Club provides the surviving spouse (or if no spouse survives, then to a dependent child) a check for $10,000 to take care of any immediate needs. In approximately two weeks the 200 Club ascertains the family’s debts and pays them off up to an additional $15,000. The children and the spouses are eligible for educational assistance. Every year thereafter, the 200 Club sends birthday and Christmas U.S. Treasury bonds to the children, money for Thanksgiving and Christmas, family dinners and red roses on Mother's Day.

What level of support has been provided in the past?
Since the 200 Club started operating in 2001, the Club has provided benefits to 28 families of fallen law enforcement officers and firefighters. Total benefits paid out have exceeded $350,000.

Don’t the police or fire agencies give adequate benefits to employees who are killed in the line of duty?
Benefits vary from agency to agency, most of our counties do not have pension benefits. When tragedy strikes the family needs funds for immediate expenses. Often bank accounts are frozen and other death benefits can be delayed for months.

How is money raised?
Funds are raised through individual and corporate memberships, donations and special events.

How much of my membership dues go to the beneficiaries?
All of it. The costs to operate the 200 Club such as legal, tax filing, accounting and administrative are donated by it's members. There are no salaries or overhead expenses.

Is my membership or contribution tax deductible?
Yes. The 200 Club is a Georgia not-for-profit (501(c) (3)) charitable organization. All contributions are tax deductible within the limits of the law.

Why do we do it?
We do it to express in our own way our gratitude for the job that every law enforcement officer, firefighter and paramedic does for us to make our lives safer. Should one of them die in the line of duty, our actions acknowledge our obligation to their families in the best way we know how.

How can I help?
Join the 200 Club and give back to the families of those that protect you. You can fill out an application online to join the 200 Club. You can encourage families and friends to join or donate!

Can I join as an active duty police officer or fire fighter?
Yes, we have many members that want to help their fellow officers, firefighters and paramedics.