By Vanesa Brashier, editor@bluebonnetnews.com
The first of two First Responders Appreciation luncheons for this week has been moved from the Jack Hartel Building to the Liberty Center inside Liberty City Hall due to recovery efforts from Tropical Depression Imelda underway at the Hartel Building.
The free luncheons are set for Tuesday, Sept. 24, at Liberty Center, 1829 Sam Houston Ave., Liberty (inside Liberty City Hall), and Wednesday, Sept. 25, at Stancil Exposition Center’s log cabin in Cleveland. Both luncheons will be held from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Currently, the Hartel Building is being used as a Red Cross shelter to help victims who were evacuated from their homes due to flooding from Imelda. Instead of postponing the event, organizers Kem Kirkham-Arnold and Steve Primeaux with Texas Elite Hospice felt it is was important for the event to go forward.
“The storm is the most dynamic example of why we need people like these guys and gals in uniform. When things like this happen, they have to shoot straight into action, whether that means jumping into a boat, on a horse, or in a fire truck, patrol car or ambulance,” said Primeaux. “We just want to show them how much we appreciate them.”
Any first responder is welcome to choose to attend either of the luncheons depending on which is closer. Kirkham-Arnold is opening up the invitation to members of the Cajun Navy if they still happen to be close-by after responding to the storm. Elected officials are also invited to attend.
This year marks the second year for Texas Elite Hospice to host the first responders luncheon. Last year, it was held in Cleveland. This year, organizers split the event into two days and two cities to make sure that all agencies throughout the county have an opportunity to attend one of the luncheons, which are scheduled to coincide with September being First Responders Appreciation Month.
Other sponsors for the luncheon are Pace-Stancil Funeral Home, Bluebonnet News, KORG 95.3 and Trinity Armory. Local businesses and individuals, including Allison Funeral Home, Attorney Donny Haltom, State Rep. Ernest Bailes and Artist Joyce Odegard, are donating door prizes.
The door prizes include:
- Liberty event: Leather boot bag donated by State Rep. Ernest Bailes, service gun donated by Trinity Armory and Texas Elite Hospice, big screen television donated by Allison Funeral Home, one-year first responder membership to Trinity Armory donated by Trinity Armory and a family will or NFA trust by Donny Haltom.
- Cleveland event: Leather boot bag donated by State Rep. Ernest Bailes, service gun donated by Trinity Armory and Texas Elite Hospice, one-year first responder membership to Trinity Armory donated by Trinity Armory, a family will or NFA trust by Donny Haltom and a diamond painting donated by Joyce Odegard.
The meal for both events will be barbecue pulled pork, sausage, chicken, baked beans, potato salad, drinks and bread pudding.
Organizers thank the City of Liberty for graciously allowing the Liberty Center to be the site for the luncheon in Liberty after the Hartel Building became unavailable.