BY AMANDA PEVEY
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
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The 2nd Annual First Responders Trunk or Treat hosted by Alabama Backs the Blue was held on Sunday, located at the Coaches Corner Parking Lot in Wetumpka, Alabama.
Each child was given a ticket to receive a free hot dog, chips, and a drink. Organizers passed out 300 tickets for hot dogs they had made for each child and in less than an hour and half, they were all out. It was a much larger crowd this year.
Over 300 children plus their families came out to this fun and safe event hosted by the Alabama Backs the Blue. First responders, churches, as well as local businesses were there handing out candy to the children and some of the vehicles had their trunks decorated for Halloween as well. The children enjoyed meeting all of the first responders at this event and had the opportunity to take pictures with them as well.
Alabama Backs the Blue is a faith-based non-profit organization that provides local support for our law enforcement. They have partnered with ALLEAPS, River Region Chaplain Service, 1:1 Foundation for Chaplain Services and Peer Support. The founder and President of Alabama Backs the Blue is Jessica Colley.
Colley’s passion for law enforcement began at the age of 10 with her Dad and since then she has been involved with law enforcement in one form or another. Her father was an Autauga County Deputy when he passed away in January 2021. Colley’s husband has been in the service for 25 years.
He has served as Deputy, EMT and Volunteer Fireman in his 25 years of service. Colley is also a retired Military Police officer.
Colley started this non-profit organization in August 2020 during the worst times due to COVID and the amount of hatred for law enforcement.
“People just do not realize the stress of the First Responders careers. We hope by doing these events that it will help people get to know our law enforcement and first responders better and for the kids to see, these are good men and women who will be there when they need them. It’s not a question of ‘if’ it’s a matter of ‘when’ we will need them, because we all will at some point.,” Colley told the EAN. “It may even encourage some kids to want to pursue these careers one day. We are already planning for next year’s event to make it even bigger. We are looking for Utility companies and more First Responders to get involved next year and if any local business wants to join they can as well”
Alabama Backs the Blue would like thank a few outstanding groups of people who either gave large money donations to help with the cost of this event, item donations, or have provided time and resources to make this event one of the best events. There are also many others who have donated candy and cash at one of the drop off locations.
- Coaches’s Corner (Paul and Heather Norton)
- Living Word Church (Pastors Daren & Andrea Davis)
- Alabama State Fraternal Order of Police
- Elmore County EMA
- Wetumpka Fire Department
- Jake Baker
- Greg & Catherine Jones
- John Southerland
- Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
- Woodcraft Café
- 231 Total Car Care (Julius, Leslie Reed & Family)
- Wetumpka Window Tinting (The Steele’s)
- Wetumpka Police Department
- Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division
- Calvary Baptist Church
- Riverside Chevrolet
- Reload 24 (Mallory Anderson)
The next event that the Alabama Backs the Blue is hosting is the Holiday Market on November 21,2021. It will be at the Coaches Corner Parking Lot from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A special appearance with Santa Clause will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is a total of 50 vendors at this event, and they will also have food trucks and music as well. Alabama Backs the Blue will have merchandise available to sell at this event too.
For more information on how to get involved with Alabama Backs the Blue please go to their Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/alabamabackstheblue.
There is also a private group you can join at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1210883689250187.
If you feel led to donate to this amazing organization and to support the Alabama Law Enforcement please go to their website at: www.alabamabackstheblue.wixsite.com.
You can also learn more information about the founder of Alabama Backs the Blue, Jessica Colley, and find ways to support this faith-based non-profit organization. Every little bit counts and it’s a great way to support our Alabama Law Enforcement. See More Photos Below!
