By Amanda Pevey
Elmore/Autauga News
SEE MORE PHOTOS BELOW!
On Sunday, the Alabama Backs the Blue, a Nonprofit organization, held their third annual First Responder trunk or treat event at the Wetumpka Sports Complex. This event was completely FREE for all who attended. This year was the first year at the Complex, but a great location that allowed the First Responder vehicles to park and still have room for guests to walk around. Over 300 children enjoyed a FREE dinner that consisted of a hot dog, snacks and a drink. Attorney Dee Dee Calhoun donated all of the juice for the children.
Alabama Backs the Blue is a faith based Nonprofit organization that supports law enforcement. Their primary goal is to offer educational opportunities, financial assistance, scholarships, and public support for Law Enforcement Officers and their families.
“It was a hot one, but we won’t complain because last year we had to cancel the event at the last minute due to inclement weather,” said Jessica Colley, Founder and President of Alabama Backs the Blue.
She continued, “We were so disappointed in having to do so but the food was donated to a local shelter that was housing tornado victims, so it did not go to waste. We just thank God for the beautiful weather this year and for allowing us to continue with our mission of bridging the gap between the community and our local First Responders. We would also like to thank the First Responders for all that they do to keep us safe and we thank the community for showing up to this event to spend a little time getting to know them.”
Alabama Backs the Blue- Nonprofit, would like to thank the City of Wetumpka for allowing them to use the Wetumpka Sports Complex to host the FREE event for the community. They would also like to thank Trooper J.R. Southerland’s family for volunteering to help with the event again this year. They cooked, helped set up, served and helped tear down. They could not have done it without them. Thank you to 231 Total Car Care for everything they do each year. They brought a cooler for the drinks, set up a trunk and helped with tear down as well. They are also grateful for Living Word Church and Elmore County EMA for loaning them supplies they needed for the event.
Thank you to all who participated in this year’s event which also includes:
- Wetumpka Fire Dept.
- Wetumpka Police Dept.
- Redland F.D.,
- Emerald Mountain F.D.
- Haynes Life Flight & Ambulance
- ALEA Troopers
- Alabama Dept. Of Conservation & Natural Resources,
- 231 Total Car Care
- Wetumpka Window Tinting
- NikNaks Customs (shirts, tumblers, and more)
- Elmore County Food Panty
- Elmore County DHR
- Calvary Baptist
- Jacoby’s Diesel Repair
- Jackson Hospital ER
If you missed this event this year, make plans to come next year on October 27, 2024!
The next upcoming event that the Alabama Backs the Blue- Nonprofit does is their fourth annual Holiday Market on November 18th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Come enjoy some holiday shopping of homemade crafts, Christmas gifts, decorations, vintage items, local jewelry, food trucks and much more. Come meet Santa and the Grinch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. They are so very thankful for their vendors because they are the ones that provide the funds for the Halloween event. Please come and support them. For questions or for more information, please email: alabamabackstheblue@gmail.com
If you would like more information about the Alabama Backs the Blue, please visit their website at: https://www.alabamabackstheblue.org
You can also visit their Facebook page at: www.Facebook.com/alabamabackstheblue
