Public Safety Dinner honors those that serve and protect

Published 5:13 pm Friday, September 25, 2015

By BECKY CRISSMAN
becky.crissman@cordeledispatch.com

CORDELE — To honor the men and women who serve and protect our community each day the Cordele-Crisp Chamber of Commerce held their 23rd Annual Public Safety Appreciation Dinner Thursday night.
The event was held at the Cordele Lions Club from 6-7:30 p.m. and all area public safety personnel were treated to a BBQ chicken dinner with all the fixin’s catered by Smoakies BBQ of Cordele. Several local businesses contributed items that were given away as door prizes. Chamber president Monica Simmons says the dinner is to acknowledge those that serve our community every day.
“This is our way of just saying thanks,” said Simmons. “I think it is more important now than ever with all the violence and attacks on law enforcement. They need to know that the people of this community support them.”
Simmons said funding for the dinner is contributed each year by a number of sponsors and the chamber is proud to be able to organize the event each year.
Sheriff Billy Hancock said everyone in attendance seemed to be enjoying the evening.
“It was a great atmosphere,” he said. “It was very jovial and fun. The night allowed public safety officials and support staff the opportunity to let their hair down for a minute and just be human. It is great to see our chamber and community believe in us as they do when the very few in society are making a loud noise and wanting to put public safety in a bad light.”
Hancock said it truly speaks volumes that the chamber has organized this dinner for 23 years. He also says it is very humbling when the people of the community thank you for the job you do, that you want to do.
“It is an honor to serve the people of this community,” he said.