Richmond Hill Fire & Police Department and Bryan County Emergency Services Support the 200 Club During 13th Annual Public Safety Day
RICHMOND HILL, GA – February 17, 2016 – The Richmond Hill Fire & Police Departments and Bryan County Emergency Services are partnering with The 200 Club to make their 13th annual Public Safety Day bigger and better.
Slated to take place at the First Baptist Church, 9184 Ford Avenue in Richmond Hill from 10:00am – 3:00pm on Saturday April 9, 2016, this popular family friendly day will once again feature safety demonstrations, kid’s activities and a silent auction. However, for the first time The 200 Club will co-host the first Bryan County Red, White and Blue BBQ where attendees will be invited to ‘donate for a plate’ of delicious BBQ to raise money for the family members of fallen and injured first responders.
The 200 Club is a 501(c) (3) organization that provides assistance to the family members of fallen and injured first responders in 18 Georgia and 2 South Carolina counties including Bryan County. Its newest initiative – dubbed the “Red, White and Blue Campaign” because those colors represent the three services they assist with: fire, EMS and law enforcement – focuses on raising awareness of the club’s efforts, expanding its support base and raising funds for the families of fallen first responders. A successful event was held in October in Chatham County and The 200 Club’s ambition is to hold family friendly events throughout all 20 counties in which they operate. An exhibition of fallen first responders will be displayed during the day and the proceeds of the silent auction will be donated to The 200 Hundred Club.
The organization, now in its 15th year, strives to lessen the devastating effects of tragedies by providing immediate and significant financial assistance to surviving family members of those first responders who have lost their lives in the line of duty. To date, the group has given over $1.2 million to beneficiaries in Brantley, Beaufort, S.C.; Bryan; Bulloch; Camden; Candler; Chatham; Effingham; Evans; Glynn; Jasper, S.C.; Jenkins; Liberty; Long; McIntosh; Pierce; Screven; Tattnall; Toombs; and Wayne counties.
Chief Catlett with the Richmond Hill Fire Department said, “Several hundred first responders die in the line of duty every year, and many times that number are injured – all while working to save citizens’ lives and keep our communities safe. When a public-safety provider suffers serious injury or death on the job, the heartbreak and hardship endured by surviving loved ones can be unbearable. In addition to adjusting to new emotional realities or a life without a treasured family member, spouses and children must continue to meet financial obligations and keep their households running. Doing so often proves tremendously difficult, as families often aren’t prepared to deal with such a financial devastation. A donation to the 200 Club goes directly towards ensuring that families can stay in their homes, maintain a decent standard of living and remain in or enter educational programs.”
Chief Freddy Howell of Bryan County Emergency Services said, “First responders’ primary mission is to respond to people in need who are in emergency situations, which may include going into a burning building or responding to shots being fired. The nature of the work can be extremely dangerous and the pay is low. If tragedy should strike, causing a disabling injury or even taking the life of the first responder, the family is left to pick up the pieces. The 200 Club steps in and lives up to their motto or slogan ‘Helping those who help us’ which explains it all. We hope you can join us for a fun public safety day and in supporting this wonderful organization!”
