For the 10th year, Lowndes County volunteers will be honoring local first responders near the anniversary of 9/11.
Salute to Lowndes County’s Finest will take place this Friday at The American Legion. While the event takes place once a year, The First Responders Recovery Fund has been established to help local first responders and their family year round.
The fund, financed solely by donations, provides an extra financial cushion in time of need, according to Bruce Johnson, one of the event’s coordinators.
“It helps bridge that gap where insurance coverage falls short of the family’s needs,” Johnson said. “If maybe a loved one in their immediate family gets sick or heaven forbid passes away, and they need some financial assistance, it’s there.”
Salute to Lowndes County’s Finest was established after local businessman Mark Smith visited the World Trade Center site after 9/11 and decided to create an event to honor local heroes. After several years, the benefit fund was established as another way to give back locally, Johnson said.
In his time as the event’s coordinator, Johnson said a first responder has never asked for help.
“They never come to us, we have to hear about it and go to them,” he said. “It goes against their nature to ask for help. They’re always helping others. This isn’t charity. As far as I’m concerned, they’ve earned it.”
Johnson encouraged community members to give to the event or the fund.
“It’s just a means of giving back to a group of individuals who can’t be compensated for what they give us. Even this fund, it’s there to help them when they’re in need but there’s not an amount on a paycheck that you can give somewhat to compensate them risking their lives for us.”
Friday’s event, which is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., is expected to serve 300 local first responders, Johnson said.
To donate, contact Johnson at 662-328-1042, Ext. 104.
Sarah Fowler covered crime, education and community related events for The Dispatch.
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