News Photo by Reagan Voetberg Alpena Police Department Officer Linessa Mellberg, Chief Eric Hamp, and Administrative Assistant Tracy Marquardt show the breast cancer awareness items available for purchase at the police station and city hall throughout the month of October. All proceeds go to Friends Together.

ALPENA — Alpena Police officersare once again donning a pink patch on their uniforms for the month of October in support of breast cancer survivors and their loved ones.

For the fourth year, the Alpena Police Department is offering breast cancer awareness themed items for purchase to raise funds for Friends Together.

The initiative started in 2022 when Officer Linnessa Mellberg, a breast cancer survivor herself, decided to raise funds to purchase breast cancer awareness police patches and get the rest of the department involved in the effort. That year, Friends Together was working to raise funds to match a $30,000 donation by an anonymous donor, and the police department joined in to help raise some of that money.

“We have a lot of things in our country that divide us … I’ve always said this is one area I think that we definitely can all unite on and get behind,” Alpena Police Department Chief Eric Hamp said. “We have a couple of our staff members who are survivors of cancer so it touches a little bit closer to home.”

This October, police patches, ceramic poker chips, metal challenge coins, and bracelets are all available for purchase at the police department from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. All proceeds go to Friends Together. Items can also be purchased at Alpena City Hall.

Since 2022, the initiative has raised $4,565 for Friends Together. Mellberg shared her experience with the organization.

“There was a volunteer at Friends Together that would help me out while I’m doing my stuff, being treated and being seen, that helped distract my son,” she said.

Mellberg said she could focus on her treatment without having to juggle watching her son. “They’re super helpful, even just to talk to,” she said.

Mellberg said that Friends Together have helped provide gas cards, accompany people to appointments, help people get involved in support groups, and even help family members get hotel rooms.

“They’ve done so much for our community,” Mellberg said. “Honestly, I don’t think people realize how much they do until they’re impacted or their family members are impacted with finding out they have cancer.”

The metal challenge coins are popular collectibles and trade items among law enforcement officers, Mellberg said. They are available for purchase for $20. Ceramic chips and bracelets are being sold for $5 each and patches are being sold for $10.

Reagan Voetberg can be reached at 989-358-5683 or rvoetberg@TheAlpenaNews.com.