VALDOSTA —
When the Valdosta Rotary Club began the Law Enforcement Appreciation dinner six years ago, it was with an altruistic eye towards recognizing officers for their service as well as to raise money to assist officers in need.
The dinner has exceeded expectations and has continued to grow each year.
As a result of the event’s success, today, if an officer needs assistance for any of a number of reasons, he or she has somewhere to turn. Those in charge of the Valdosta police and Lowndes County sheriff’s deputies often refer officers to Rotarians such as James Dominey when they recognize a need, and Dominey and others are only too happy to step in and help however they can.
Officers have received assistance for a number of reasons, including medical emergencies in their family, car accidents, a house fire, and other issues. Sometimes the needs are small and sometimes the needs are great, but one constant is the knowledge that if there is a need, there is somewhere to go to get help.
As Rotarians recognized, law-enforcement officials are there when the public needs them, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It’s not too much to ask for the community to come out one night a year and support them at this event, and raise the funds necessary to help officers when they themselves are in need.
The fact that the Law Enforcement Appreciation Dinner, tonight at the Rainwater Conference Center, is sold out is an outstanding testimony to the support officers receive from this community.
Thank you to the Rotary Club and thank you to the sponsors and attendees. It’s often said that law enforcement is a thankless job, but at least for one night, they will certainly be thanked and recognized for their service.
What We Think
Appreciation for those who protect and serve
- What We Think
-
-
Thoughts on graduation
Graduation ceremonies reflect how life marches on. For the students receiving their diplomas and degrees, graduation is a culmination of the majority of their lives’ work.
-
Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To Dr. John Gaston, retiring dean of Valdosta State University’s College of the Arts. For the past 10-plus years, Gaston has worked to build a more interconnected program with various artistic and communications departments working together. Given that you are likely to see one College of the Arts department collaborating with another during events is proof of Gaston’s success.
-
On the go this weekend
Take a breath.
-
Sharing the roads with motorcycles
With the recent pleasant temperatures and sunny skies, the number of motorcycles on area roads has increased.
-
Thank your local law enforcement today
Today, May 15, was designated Peace Officers Memorial Day back in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy was in office.
-
Visit musical roots this weekend
Beginning Saturday, May 18, Nashville, Ga., will be hosting a special Smithsonian exhibit, “New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music.” The exhibit will continue through the end of June and Nashville has done a tremendous job in promoting and planning for the exhibit.
-
Happy Mother’s Day!
A few years ago, a television commercial asked, Who first believed in you? Many folks may have instinctively answered by simply saying, Mom.
-
Thumbs up
THUMBS UP: To mail workers, volunteers and food bank staff for gathering food for the annual Stamp Out Hunger postal food drive today. A plastic bag designated for canned goods and other non-perishable food items should have arrived in your mailbox earlier this week. If you haven’t already, take a few moments to fill the bag with food and hang from your mailbox. If you didn’t receive the special Stamp Out Hunger bag, any plastic bag filled with food will do. This food drive helps feed thousands of South Georgians annually. Valdosta-Lowndes County often donates more food than nearly all other cities and counties in Georgia.
-
Celebrating nurses
She is considered the founder of modern nursing so it seems only natural that National Nurses Week would include Florence Nightingale’s birthday.
-
Helping the hungry: Mail it in!
Valdosta-Lowndes County continues revealing its generous spirit.
- More What We Think Headlines
-
Thoughts on graduation
