Deputies and other staff members associated with the Hall County Sheriff's Office were treated to a catered BBQ luncheon and dinner on Friday, all thanks to an anonymous donor looking to show appreciation for members of the county's law enforcement division.
Sheriff's Deputy Stephen Wilbanks, who was a guest on the Friday edition of WDUN's Afternoon News Wrap, said the event was catered by Rick's Smokin' Pig of Gainesville after proprietor Richard Shaw was approached by the donor several weeks ago.
"They collaborated on it, talked about the idea, and the anonymous citizen agreed to fund everything and Richard stepped up to the plate and agreed to cater the event for us," he said.
The event was held at the Chicopee Woods Agricultural Center, with staff freeing up the building's activity hall to accommodate the roughly 300 individuals who were expected to be fed.
Wilbanks said he worked with event organizers to ensure that all HCSO staff, including those that work evening and overnight hours, could sit down for a meal.
"It's hard to take care of the folks on rotating shifts and night shifts, sometimes they get left out," he explained. "When Mr. Shaw and I discussed that, that's when he volunteered without hesitation to come in and also set us up an evening meal so that those folks who sometimes get neglected could also benefit from it."
The effort made by the unknown donor is not being taken lightly by those on the receiving end of the gesture, especially in light of recent confrontations between law enforcement and the public.
"With the way that the climate is in law enforcement today, nationwide, it seems like...all we hear and see are negative things, and communities that are lashing out toward local law enforcement, and it's easy to let that influence our viewpoint and our opinions of communities," Wilbanks said. "But things like this, and other kind gestures that citizens are doing for us every day, serve as a refreshing reminder that we actually live and work in a great community here in Hall County, and [that] we have the support of the vast majority of our citizens."
Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch also commented on the gesture in an email Friday afternoon:
“With the current climate for law enforcement in the country and so much negativity in the national media, it’s humbling and refreshing to know that we live in a community that supports us and all other public safety personnel. It truly is our privilege to serve Hall County, and we sincerely appreciate the kind gesture by this anonymous citizen and Rick’s Smokin’ Pig.”
http://accesswdun.com/article/2016/7/428289/unknown-donor-gifts-hall-co-deputies-with-free-bbq-lunch-dinner