October 13, 2015 (More Photos) - Volunteers who helped - from left: (Front row) Patricia Samuels, Miranda Thornburg, Amy Lindley, Lisa Albers, Kayla Williams, (left row) Stephanie King, Donna Dugger, Clay Samuels, Tori Brazeal, Amber Horn, Kristin Peace
Center Police Department Ladies Auxiliary, business owners, and community members supported the initiative of a Center man who wanted to do something positive for law enforcement and hosted a law enforcement appreciation luncheon on Thursday, October 8, 2015.
The man who organized the luncheon was Clay Samuels, a 2008 graduate of Center HS. Samuels posted on his Facebook around the first of September asking if anybody would be interested in putting together some kind of appreciation lunch or dinner for law enforcement.
Clay Samuels "I was watching the news and it just seemed like every time I turned on the television there was something happening as far as law enforcement was concerned, you know like, disrespect a cop or cops being murdered. And I mean, I've always respected police, but you don't really stop to think about the fact they are out there facing stuff like that potentially happening every time they leave their house you know. And it made me just feel like I just wanted to do something to show appreciation."
In Samuels' Facebook post requesting help he reference his military family and friends receiving respect for their service; however, felt the service of police officers can go under-appreciated. He received an overwhelming response from others wanting to help.
After coordinating with the Center Police Department Ladies Auxiliary, the event came together five weeks later and was held in the John D. Windham Civic Center parking lot. Officers from all over the county were already on site attending a required legal update training course. Officers enjoyed fried catfish and chicken prepared by the Shelby County Cookers as well as side dishes and desserts donated.
Samuels posted on Facebook after the event - I would like to take the time to seriously thank our team of volunteers who made our Law Enforcement Appreciation Event such a huge success. The whole community came together in such an awesome way and made our event even bigger and better than we had hoped for. I especially want to thank [Kristin Peace, Torie Gilchrist, Amy Lindley, Donna Dugger, Lisa Albers] who really stepped up from day 1 and started organizing, making contacts, and getting things done. None of this would have been possible without ya'll.
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