Jay Leno is returning to The Firehouse Theatre for five nights of sold-out shows, Sunday, December 19 through Thursday, December 23.
5 Nights of Leno, which is presented by The Bit Players and Firehouse Theater in association with What’s Up Newp, will feature a performance from the former Tonight Show host, followed by q&a.
Proceeds To Benefit Newport FOP
Leno asked for all proceeds from the event to be donated to the Newport Police Department.
When asked to comment on the event, Newport Police Chief Gary Silva tells What’s Up Newp, “I think it is very gracious for Mr. Leno and Frank Fusaro of Firehouse Theatre to present this event. I anticipate it will be well attended and appreciate their support and consideration of the men and women of the Newport Police Department”.
Silva clarified, “The police department as a form of municipal government is not involved. Rather, the Newport Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 8 is. This is the police department union. There is a subtle difference between the police department and the FOP”.
According to Charity Navigator, Fraternal Order of Police Newport Lodge No 8 is a 501(c)(8) organization, with an IRS ruling year of 2018, and donations are tax-deductible.
What’s Up Newp reached out to Scott Moody, President of the Newport FOP, for comment on the event. He provided the following statement on December 15.
The Newport Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #8 (“FOP”) is very thankful and appreciative for the kind and generous donation being given by Newport resident Jay Leno for the benefit of the men and women of the Newport Police Department and the residents of the City of Newport. The FOP intends to utilize the proceeds from Mr. Leno’s donation for the well-being of all Newport Police Officers, to enhance the training received by and equipment used by Newport Police Officers, and to further support the charitable causes that the FOP contributes to every year.
For example, in the past the FOP has used its resources to purchase a state-of-the art drone for use by the Police Department, to purchase IFAK’s (individual first aid kits) for Police Officers, to purchase and maintain gym equipment for the Police Department gym used by Officers, and to provide enhanced and additional training opportunities for Officers. Also, every year the FOP supports various charitable causes such as an annual Christmas Basket Event, community policing events, and local sports leagues and other deserving organizations, and provides charitable donations from the “no-shave” event.
The proceeds from Mr. Leno’s generous donation will further the FOP’s ability to support the advancement of the Newport Police Department and to support these worthy charitable causes.
– Scott A. Moody, President, Newport Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #8
Tickets
Tickets, which were priced at $50, went on sale just after 1 pm on Monday, December 13 sold out in less than an hour.
Leno Raises Money For Newport Firefighter
In October 2019, Leno teamed up with The Bit Players and What’s Up Newp to put on a show at the JPT Film & Event Center, which raised $30,000 for a Newport firefighter battling cancer.
Leno at The Firehouse Theater
Leno is no stranger to the Firehouse Theater, on November 27 he surprised a sold-out audience on hand to see The Bit Players with a 30-minute set of stand-up comedy.
When The Bit Players got a call at the Firehouse Theater in August 2019 an hour before their show on Friday night from Jay Leno asking if they had any time for him to do a few minutes of stand-up comedy? They went along with it, never expecting it to actually be him, it turned out to actually be him and he surprised the audience with a twenty-minute comedy set.
The Bit Players
An improv comedy troupe, The Bit Players perform at The Firehouse Theatre every Friday at 8 pm and Saturday at 7 pm & 9 pm.
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Jay Leno surprises Bit Players audience with a 30-minute set of stand-up comedy
Jay Leno surprises crowd at The Bit Players with twenty-minute comedy set
Jay Leno, supporters raise more than $30,000 for Newport firefighter battling cancer
