FEB. 2025. Blues Vol 41 No.2

items or the bidders for

items or the bidders for same, he repeatsonce, twice, three times the purpose andthe beneficiary, consistently underscoringall the reasons for a generous donation –say an autographed J. J. Watt jersey – or anextraordinarily high bid on it. No potentialbeneficiary is off-limits to Helfman, whosefundraising talents almost always benefitofficers in predicaments encountered bothand on and off-duty. Ask him and he willtell you that the men and women in blueroutinely perform dangerous, life-threateningtasks safely and soundly, only to meetproblems beyond their control when they’renot on Houston streets.Quite simply, this unconditional money-raisingspirit throbs throughout thebloodstream inside Alan Helfman. He admitsthat he’s a salesman who uses histalent making pitches to help officers inneed. Selling cars also is in his blood. Hisshowroom office is easy to find, off in thecorner on the north side, his desk positionedunder a large photograph of BabeRuth and Ted Williams (Williams signed it).That and his University of Texas Bachelorof Business Administration diploma (1979)decorate the walls alongside framed declarationsof appreciation from, among others,former HPOU President Ray Hunt. “He goesabove and beyond on every single fundraiserwe do,” Hunt said. “There has never been98 The BLUES -- FEBRUARY ‘25

a time that I’ve called Alan Helfman that hehasn’t delivered. He forms the perfect pictureof a person who delivers invaluableservice to every police officer.”Now after some 20 years of endless fundraisers,Helfman has raised over 2-milliondollars for the Houston based ATO-Assistthe Officer Foundation as well hundredsmore local officers.Just last year, he donated ten wheelchairsto the foundation.“Alan Helfman has been a dedicated supporterof Law Enforcement for many years.He continues daily to provide resourcesand do anything possible to help law enforcementorganizations from providingvehicles, to helping purchase other tools tohelp officers safely do the job. But this palesin comparison to what he does to help individualofficers. Alan has not only shownup to help with over 100 benefits for injuredor fallen officers but has also donated hundredsof thousands of dollars of his ownmemorabilia to raise money. His selflessacts of kindness go far beyond the HoustonPolice Department. Anytime an officer isinjured, no matter the agency, Alan is theredoing whatever he can to help. It is trulyan honor to call him a friend!” said DouglasGriffith, President of the Houston PoliceOfficers UnionOne might wonder: Why does he do this?The BLUES - - FEBRUARY ‘25 ‘25 99 99