Jefferson’s Adopt-a-Cop organization was founded initially as a way to say “Thank You” to the members of the Jefferson Police Department, but organizers say it has expanded into an ongoing support movement.
“Our Jefferson Police Department is here to protect and serve us,” said group secretary Peggy Walker, “so we are asking for your support to serve them.”
To support their effort, the group is holding their first fundraiser starting at noon on Saturday. The Crawfish Boil will be at the Courtyard at Made In The Shade on Henderson Street, and will go until they are sold out. The price per person has yet to be set as it is based on the price of the crawfish when they are picked up at the distributor.
The group is also creating yard signs and car window stickers with their logo and will be selling those to help raise funds to purchase equipment the officers are required to pay for themselves. The signs are $20 and stickers are $5.
“Currently, each police officer must pay up to $1,200 for their required equipment,” said Walker. “We recognize that this is a hardship not only on the officers, but also their families. And we saw an opportunity to help out.” One-time expenses include items like their pistol and baton. Ongoing items include flashlights, ammunition, boots, mace, etc.
The group was organized at the first of the year and started off by supplying snacks and meals for the officers during their shifts and has started fundraising efforts to do more.
“We’ve received donations from Marion County residents to get things started,” said Walker. “We hope to have an established fund so we can keep supplying the officers, not only with their one time expenses, but with some of their ongoing ones too.”
The group is working to establish their official non-profit status so donations can be tax deductible.
Currently the group is focused on supporting the Jefferson Police Department but intends to grow and help support the Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies in the near future.
Officers of the group include group president Wesley “Shaggy” Jones; secretary Francene DePrez; and treasurer Walker.
For more information, or to join the group, contact Walker or DePrez via email jaac75657@gmail.com.Their FaceBook page is www.facebook.com/jeffersontexasadoptacop.
The group’s next meeting is at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 11, at the Historic Jefferson Railway Train Depot on the east end of Austin Street.