Honoring First Responders -- Our Heroes

Each year, the club hosts three cookout lunches for our local first responders, who are community heroes. During COVID, the club necessarily changed the lunches from full service/banquet style meals to pick up lunches, which greatly decreased club members' interaction with our first responders. This year, the committee greatly improved the events, sending an emailed invitation to participants, expanding the menu, having members greet first responders as they arrive, serve lunch, and express to each participate the club's appreciation for their service to the community. In October, we hosted a cookout for all law enforcement officers and support staff. Attending were 90 officers and staff from City Police and County Sheriff's departments and 25 members of the club. Our BBQ team grilled hamburgers, hotdogs, and committee members provided fresh buns and fixings, sides, and freshly made desserts for the meal.  Our members joined officers at the tables and enjoy sharing the meal and offering our appreciation for their service. In February, the expanded/improved heroes' lunch for first responder linemen was held at Camp Pineywoods for 45 participants with 15 members assisting. In March, 90 fire fighters and emergency service heroes were hosted for lunch at their facility with 20 members participating.