SAN ANTONIO – The 100 Club of San Antonio is preparing for their annual spaghetti dinner fundraiser in the wake of the Dallas police officer shootings.
The organization serves the children of fallen officers and firefighters in Bexar County.
"I remember as a child, and as we grow up, knowing that my father might not possibly come home," said Malinda Lanford, daughter of slain Elmendorf police Chief Michael Pimentel.
Pimentel's end of watch happened Aug. 23, 2014, when he was gunned down during a traffic stop.
Lanford said she remembers when two officers came to her door to tell her the tragic news.
It is a feeling that you don't want to ever have again," she said.
The 100 Club of San Antonio is preparing for their annual spaghetti dinner fundraiser in the wake of the Dallas police officer shootings.
The organization serves the children of fallen officers and firefighters in Bexar County.
"I remember as a child, and as we grow up, knowing that my father might not possibly come home," said Malinda Lanford, daughter of slain Elmendorf police Chief Michael Pimentel.
Pimentel's end of watch happened Aug. 23, 2014, when he was gunned down during a traffic stop.
Lanford said she remembers when two officers came to her door to tell her the tragic news.
"It is a feeling that you don't want to ever have again," she said.
Nearly two years ago, the 100 Club of San Antonio came to Lanford's family's aid.
"Preparing some food in that critical time when you're not thinking, getting other families from out of town that needed to be here, without their help in that crucial moment, it would've been hard to do,” Lanford said.
The organization is now preparing for its 19th annual spaghetti dinner. More than 200 volunteers rolled about 20,000 meatballs Friday morning. Organizers said they hope to sell 5,000 plates and raise more than $30,000.
This year's fundraiser has even more meaning following the attack on officers in Dallas.
Marco Pena replaced Pimentel after Pimentel’s death. The current Elmendorf police chief said he has a message for the families of the fallen Dallas officers.
"We're here to support you guys in prayer. The 100 Club is there to assist the families as well, whether financially or emotionally, whatever they need. Just hang in there," Pena said.
The spaghetti dinner takes place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Christopher Columbus Italian Society. It’s located on 201 Piazza Italia. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online.