The 200 Club of the Coastal Empire

The 200
Club of the Coastal Empire

by Cindy Reid | Photography by
the 200 Club

Without the
brave men and women who risk their lives for our sake, our lives would be very
different. That’s why when tragedy strikes, the 200 Club (a 501 (c)(3)
organization) immediately responds with financial support to help lessen the
devastating effects.

As an
organization, the 200 Club of the Coastal Empire proudly and honorably provides
significant financial assistance, as well as fully paid college education to
the surviving spouse and children of law enforcement officers and firefighters
who lose their lives in the line of duty while protecting our communities.

In our
community, the 200 Club is a powerful force for good, a force that quietly
shoulders a tremendous responsibility to the families of first responders who
have lost their life in the line of duty.

From the Ashes of Grief, Hope Rises

It started in
1952 when businessmen in Detroit Michigan banded together to financially assist
the pregnant widow of a young police officer who was fatally shot while serving
an arrest warrant to a felon. Because one hundred people came together to help,
it was given the name “100 Club.”

Following
their example, more than 120 clubs with the same mission to support surviving
families formed throughout the country.

The 200 Club
of the Coastal Empire was founded to honor police officer Christopher
Argentinis, who gave his life while protecting others.

On December
11, 1999, 36-year-old officer Argentinis said goodbye to his family and
reported for duty with the Wareham Police Department in Massachusetts.

He would never
return home.

Struck by a
car while in a foot chase with a wanted drug offender, Chris succumbed to head
injuries two days later, leaving a wife and two young sons, ages 6 and 4.

After having
spent 12 years serving his community and while working undercover in a
narcotics task force, Christopher and his family made the ultimate sacrifice.

Creating the 200 Club

Chris’s
father, Tak Argentinis, was made aware of the 100 Club concept after his son
died. After moving to Savannah, he and his wife Renee decided to create what is
now the 200 Club of the Coastal Empire. To date, the 200 Club of the Coastal
Empire has given over $3.8 million to support the families of fallen first
responders in a 20-county area of Georgia and South Carolina.

Longtime
volunteer and Board member Mark Dana is now the President and CEO for the 200
Club and looks forward to expanding the organization’s mission to help heal and
support as many first responder families as possible.

“We’re going
to be increasing our regional engagement and we hope we can rely on added
community support as the club moves into this next phase of growth and
effectiveness,” Mark says.

Mark has been
involved for 14 years. “I was in law enforcement for ten years, then after a
career change to the hotel business, Tak recruited me to help with fundraising.
Then he asked me to be on the Board of Directors, and now I am the first
President and CEO of the organization. Our founder Tak is Chairman of the Board
and remains very much involved.”

Line of Duty Benefits

The 200 Club’s
line of duty benefits for active firefighters (including volunteer fire
department members) and law enforcement officers is an immediate and
significant cash payment to the surviving spouse and children and an
opportunity for a college education. They provide a fully paid college
education to surviving family members, including tuition, room and board,
textbooks, and a computer. Every year thereafter, the 200 Club provides meals
for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and red roses on Mother’s Day.

Mark says,
“Most people are surprised to know how much higher education costs and they are
always surprised to learn we pay all expenses, not just a stipend or
scholarship, for the children and surviving spouse. Any expense necessary for
their education is covered—from tuition, books, and computer to room and board
or apartment and utilities.”

 The 200 Club is currently supporting seven
college students, including one currently attending Barnard and one currently
attending Yale (which even with a scholarship costs over 100K per year)

“The
recipients are extremely thankful, especially the surviving parents, because we
have been able to relieve a huge financial stress from their lives,” says Mark.

He says
several spouses have also utilized the program and returned to school, one to
earn a Master’s degree in Elementary Education, and one to attend nursing
school.

They also help
families access the benefits they are entitled to receive. “We had 12 Covid
deaths, which are a “line of duty death” in our service area, so in addition to
financial support we stepped in to ensure the families received the federal
benefit funds they were entitled to,” says Mark, “We offered this service at no
charge of course and the families were very grateful as the application process
is arduous and we can use our experience to make it easier for them.”

Membership & Fundraisers

Once people
learn of the 200 Club and the work they do, they want to learn how to help.

Going forward,
the goal of the 200 Club is to increase membership. Primarily financial
donations made by the membership is how the club is able to serve the 20
counties they currently assist.

“By increasing
our membership, we can grow beyond the twenty counties, to a statewide level,”
says Mark.

Becoming a
member is easy—simply go to their website and click on the membership tab. As a
member you’ll make a pledge for a monthly contribution. The membership platform
can be from $20 a month up to 30K.

Many members
are first responders, and there is a First Responder Rate donation of one
hundred dollars a year. However, the 200 Club is open to anyone who wants to
support the surviving families.

In addition to
the financial support provided by the members, the 200 Club hosts fundraisers
to raise funds as well as awareness. Their number one fundraiser is the Pooler
Run for Heroes, which has been increasing in participation every year and is
held in May.

Upcoming
events also include the popular July 4th Whole Fully Smoked Boston Butts sale
and the Labor Day Cookout and Car Raffle Drawing.

Currently,
1,000 tickets are being sold for $100 each for the opportunity to win a brand
new car from The Grainger Companies. At the Labor Day event, the winner of the
car raffle drawing will be announced, and they can choose between a new 2022
Honda CR-V or 2022 Nissan Rogue. All taxes for the vehicle are paid by The
Grainger Companies and 100 percent of the proceeds from the raffle will benefit
the 200 Club. The event is free and open to the public and complimentary food
and drinks will be provided by the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office.

The 2022
Community Heroes Golf Tournament is also upcoming, and information and
registration details will be posted to the website soon.

Join to Support

Being part of
a community means supporting each other in times of need, especially those who
put their lives at risk for our benefit.

Law enforcement
personnel and firefighters face grave danger on our behalf every day they are
on the job. When one pays the ultimate price while keeping us safe, it is only
right that we as a community respond in support, emotionally and financially.
The 200 Club of the Coastal Empire is there to provide that support, and
members, old and new, are what make that possible.

For more
information about the organization and how you can help, visit  https://our200club.com