Time is drawing near as the Salute to Lowndes County”s Finest Committee strives to reach their fundraising goal. Their goal is to raise $10,000 for the First Responders Recovery Fund and the committee is asking local business leaders for their support.
“The contributions raised from this effort will be designated to the First Responders Recovery Fund that will be secured and dispersed through the Lowndes Community Foundation,” Mark Smith said, founder of the Salute to Lowndes County”s Finest event.
“The funds will be allocated to first responders and their families that live and work in Lowndes County in time of their own disaster such as a house fire, death in the family, illness, or injury,” Smith added.
With $1,750 pledged to date, the committee remains hopeful they will reach their Aug. 27 deadline.
Last year, the committee raised $2,700 to help the Columbus Police Department purchase a new McGruff the Crime Dog costume and program to get drug and crime prevention back into the schools. This year, the committee surveyed first responders and discovered a dire need across the board.
According to Columbus Fire Chief Ken Moore, the recovery fund will be an important safety net to local first responders.
“Firefighters, police officers, paramedics and all first responders every day risk their lives unselfishly to ensure we the public are safe and protected as we go about our daily lives,” Moore explained.
“We the public think very little about who these first responders are until tragedy enters our daily lives; they are our safety net. In honor of their sacrifices please give to the First Responder Recovery Fund and be a part of providing them a safety net should tragedy strike their lives while protecting we the public,” he said.
Columbus Police Chief Joseph St. John agrees that “when tragedies strike no amount of money can replace the individual or the sacrifice that their family has made.”
“However, in these times of crises, and these times do occur daily in Lowndes County, it is imperative to assist families in time of need,” he added.
In addition to funds, the committee also seeks in-kind donations to help with the Salute to Lowndes County”s Finest event with food and beverage items. The actual event–Salute to Lowndes County”s Finest–will take place on Sept. 10 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will feature a BBQ lunch that will be available on a come-and-go basis to Lowndes County First Responders.
As a member of the Salute to Lowndes County”s Finest Committee and the president of the Columbus Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association, Barbara Vanlandingham explains why she volunteers for the event.
“As citizens of Lowndes County, we owe our first responders a debt of gratitude and respect because they are prepared to jeopardize their lives for the well being of friends and strangers alike,” Vanlandingham said.
“Giving back to our community and thanking Lowndes County”s ”finest” is truly a wonderful feeling.”
To help support this cause, call Mark Smith at 662-328-1042 or e-mail to [email protected].
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