Smoking Shields was established in 2015 to address the lack of a fraternal organization of law enforcement professionals who shared their passion of enjoying premium cigars and a desire to help our nation’s heroes.
The main purpose of Smoking Shields is to provide financial assistance to law enforcement officers and military personnel, to help them and their families, in a time of need.
Smoking Shields FL was established in 2017 and is comprised of members from all aspects of law enforcement in Tampa Bay. Our chapter is one of 10 chapters in the United States.
Please click here to contact us about membership.
Members Only JC Newman Event
A special thanks to Bobby Newman for inviting us to the JC Newman factory to listen to Major Mark Nutsch speak about him and his team and their part in the war against terror after 9/11. If you have have seen the movie 12 Strong, then you watched a movie based on Major Nutsch and his team. Mark and a few of his teammates are now in the spirits world and have launched Horse Soldier bourbon. Thanks to the members that attended. Smoking Shields President Marc Hamlin made the announcement that we donated $5,000 to Southeastern Guide Dogs.
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Thank you to everyone that attended and made our first casino night a great success! We were able to raise just shy of $12,000 dollars! The Board of Directors and Bobby Newman thank you!
And here is a link to photos from the night:
Sponsors
2023 Smoking Shields National Summit
A big shout out and thank you to Life Members Angela Yue and Carlito Fuente and the staff of Grand Cathedral for hosting this amazing event. Through the generosity of those that attended and bid on the auction items we were able to raise $21,795. In addition to those monies raised, we received a check for $15,000 from Carlito and the Fuente Family Foundation for a total of $36,795.
Grand Cathedral
Smoking Shields National Summit
November 1, 2023
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Your Board of Directors has voted to add the status of Life Member to 7 members of Smoking Shields FL. Each of these members has a love for law enforcement and military personnel. They have made a huge impact to our organization by supporting us through donations, their time and of course some of them opened up their "homes" to us. Thank you all for what you have done to help grow Smoking Shields FL.
Oscar Cardoso
Pat Ferguson
Carlito Fuente, Jr
Joe Meketsy
Bobby Newman
Atul Solanki
Angela Yue
We raised $14,000! Thank you everyone for your support!
Smoking Shields would like to give an additional shout out to Carissa Hefta, Local Real Estate Expert with Keller Williams Tampa Properties for donating the 55” LED Smart TV for one of our Grand Raffle Prizes. You can look for Carissa on her following social media links via FB, Instagram, OR in person as she hand delivers (the raffle tv) accompanied by her Veteran Husband Daniel. Carissa looks forward to meeting you all and helping anyway she can!
Also a big thanks to member Bob "Hollywood" Martin for donating this gaming table which was part of the live auction. Other items in the live auction included a certificate from Seminole Hard Rock and Hotel and Opus X cigars.
The 2023 Smoker Fundraiser was held on March 11, 2023, at the Cigar Castle in Temple Terrace from 11 AM to 3 PM. Thank you to all the people and businesses that donated items to make this another great event. Each year we raise more money than the year before.
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The Cigar Heritage Festival presenting a $10,000 check to Smoking Shields FL. President Marc Hamlin accepting with other members of Smoking Shields Florida present. Thanks to all the volunteers that helped make this donation possible.
Members Only - Arturo Fuente Factory
What a night! Our sincere apologies if you were not able to make this event. Carlito invited us into his house and threw us a party to show his love and support for the men and women of law enforcement. Click here for more pictures.
Upcoming Meetings
Mon, Dec 11Grand Cathedral Cigar LoungeDec 11, 2023, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PMGrand Cathedral Cigar Lounge, 2201 N Florida Ave, Tampa, FL 33602, USAMeeting/Christmas party. It is very important to RSVP for this one since our host, member Angela Yue, is catering this meeting for us.
Mon, Jan 22Patriot Stogies A Fine Cigar LoungeJan 22, 2024, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PMPatriot Stogies A Fine Cigar Lounge, 6153 Massachusetts Ave, New Port Richey, FL 34653, USAReminder to buy 2 cigars from the host lounge and bring cigar donations for Cigars for Warriors
Mon, Feb 26Cigar LifeFeb 26, 2024, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PMCigar Life, 5724 Florida Ave S, Lakeland, FL 33813, USAReminder to buy 2 cigars from the host lounge and bring cigar donations for Cigars for Warriors