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Day of Love will raise money for the family of Regional Transit District Security Officer Scott Von Lanken, who wasshot and killed near the intersection of 16th and Wynkoop around 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 31. Dan Skvarca, Operations Manager and Proprietor of Mercantile Dining & Provision, got the wheels in motion for the fundraiser that will take place on Tuesday, February 14 and in which many Union Station businesses will participate.
"Scott was a valued member of our community and he will be greatly missed," said Skvarca. "We wanted to create a way for the community to join together to celebrate his life and do something helpful for his family in the wake of this senseless tragedy."
Von Lanken, who was 56 year old, was a father of two, pastor and a former Wisconsin police officer. He lived and Loveland and worked as a contract RTD security officer since 2011. On Valentine's Day, several Denver Union Station restaurants and retail outlets, along with other neighborhood establishments, will donate 10% of all proceeds raised to Officer Von Lanken’s family.
Participating merchants include Mercantile Dining & Provision, the Cooper Lounge, Terminal Bar, Pigtrain Coffee Co., Milkbox Ice Creamery, Snooze – an A.M. Eatery, Tattered Cover, Next Door Union Station, Stoic & Genuine, Hopdoddy Burger Bar and Protein Bar. Denver’s Alpine Bank and IMA Financial Group have pledged to match all monies raised next Tuesday, up to $3,000. For a complete list of participating outlets, please visit www.unionstationindenver.com.
RTD Transit Police and Allied Universal, Officer Von Lanken’s employer, have set up a memorial fund to help support his family through the Rocky Mountain Law Enforcement Credit Union. To make a donation directly, please contact the credit union at www.rmlefcu.org or 303-458-6660.
UPDATE: We were informed on Tuesday morning that the Union Station Alliance has committed to donating $20,000 to Officer Von Lanken's memorial fund and Alpine Bank, IMA Financial Group & DaVita have pledged to match up all monies raised today, up to $4,500.