Outstanding Citizens of Dawson

OuTSTanDInG

DaWSOn a publication of

January 2016

2 | DAWSON COMMUNITY NEWS | dawsonnews.com

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

A look at those who love Dawson

Each year, Dawson County News accepts nominations for those that go above and beyond in their daily lives to make our community a better place.

From a retired firefighter who continues to serve his town and a school principal that makes sure her stu-

dents feel special, to a doctor with the desire to make positive changes and a reformed drug dealer that wants to show the world people can change, this section showcases 12 stories of Dawson County’s outstanding citizens that thrive to go that extra mile.

‘Good doctor’considered visionary for change

By Michele Hester

mhester@dawsonnews.com

For years, the sign outside Larr y Anderson’s medical practice read “Good doctor l o o k i n g fo r a fe w g o o d patients.”

“Believe it or not, when I first moved here, it took two weeks before we had our first p a t i e n t ,” h e said.

Today, now that the thrivAnderson ing prac tice has moved into the second floor of the Northside-Dawson building, the sign is gone, but Anderson laughs about what many would consider an archaic marketing ploy.

“We still get at least one patient a week because of that old sign,” he said.

That downhome, small town interaction has made Anderson one of Dawson County’s most recognizable family doctors.

“He knows everybody. He has so many connections,” said his friend Gary Pichon. “Larry is the consummate gentleman.

He always has in mind the welfare of other people, not just as a doctor, but also with the church, in government, with the Rotary Club, the Vietnam

Special to the Dawson County News

Dr. Larry Anderson does more than reset broken limbs and diagnose coughs. His friends consider him a visionary for positive change.

veterans groups, his profession association and the free clinic.”

Anderson was part of the group, along with the late Mark Weaver, that helped launch and open what is now

known as the Good Shepherd Clinic in the basement of Grace Presbyterian Church back in 2009.

“His contributions to the free clinic…that’s really a benefit

to those people in our community that have fallen through the cracks of society,” Pichon said.

With a mission to make Dawson County a better place

by providing health care for those who have none, the free clinic now operates a space provided free of charge by Northside Hospital.

“When I saw that Northside had moved their imaging center into this new building…I asked them to donate that space to the free clinic,” Anderson said. “Then we needed furniture so they allowed us to go into their warehouse and pull out all the furniture that we needed. “ They pay the utilities, except for the phone, and they give us a lot of supplies.”

Anderson said there is a simple trick to making such connections.

“You just have to ask,” he said.

Longtime friend Mike Berg takes credit for steering Anderson to Dawsonville.

“I told him we needed him here, because we didn’t have enough doctors,” he said.

Ye a r s l a t e r, B e r g s a i d Dawson County is a better place with Anderson in town.

“He’s genuinely interested in the community,” he said. “He’s a visionary thinker. He sees problems and looks for solutions, looks for ways to get from here to there. I lean on him a lot and I respect his opinion.

“He’s a positive force for our community.”

dawsonnews.com | DAWSON COMMUNITY NEWS | 3

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

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Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Kim Bennett and her staff volunteered to man the concession stand during a Dawson County High School football play-off game.

Special to the Dawson County News

Educator makes students, parents feel special

By Sudie Crouch

For the Dawson County News

Having a motto like “Every Moment Counts…Every Student Matters,” may seem like a lofty g o a l, b u t fo r R o b i n s o n Elementary S c h o o l Principal Kim Bennett, it ’s something that comes as a natural part of her job description.

With this Bennett being her first year as principal, Ms. Kim – as she prefers to be called – moved her main office to the lobby portion of her tworoom office suite and made the inner-most room a conference room to be closer to the students and staff.

“My goal has always been to make a personal connection with all of my students. I want to know their names, their hobbies,

Special to the Dawson County News

Kim Bennett with her children, Morgan, Matt and Mason.

their likes and dislikes. I want them to have someone that they can trust— I want them to know that someone cares about them and that they are truly valued.

From the moment they get off the bus or out of the car, until they leave our school, I want each of them to experience a warm, car-

ing and nurturing environment thatpromotesandcelebratessuccess for all,” she said.

Bennett’s career in education began in 1994, at Lumpkin County Middle School before she began working at Robinson in 1996.

Kim and her husband, Tim, are

both Dawson County School System graduates, and knew this communitywaswheretheywanted to raise their three children (Morgan, Mason and Matthew).

Since being at Robinson, Kim has taught special education in all grade levels and was the assistant principal before being appointed principal beginning in the 20152016 year.

“The best part of my job has to be that I have the opportunity to work with the most amazing staff, students and parents in D a w s o n C o u n t y ,” s h e said. “Coming to work every day is such a blessing.”

Parent Jodi Carlton said Bennett’s commitment to her students extends to her partnership with the parents to do what’s best for the student. “Kim’s attitude is always, ‘What do we need to do to….’ and never “We just can’t,’” Carlton said. “ B e fo re we m o ve d t o Dawsonville, I met with my children’spreviousadministrator,and

she was a great principal, as well.

Still, I always had to fight for certain services and rights for my children, one of whom as Asperger’s, and the other who has medical issues that have been complicated, at times. Kim has never made me fight — my child has gotten what he needs at RES, and when there have been struggles, she has made sure that adjustments were made.”

But for someone who’s devoted her career to education and helping children, it’s all in a day’s work.

“By working in Dawson County I have been allowed me to work with many outstanding leaders, men and women that havededicatedtheirentirecareers to making our school system the best it can be for our students,” she said. “A parent nominating me for this is quite overwhelming. I do what I do each day because I love my job and I love my students. Someone actually noticing that is very humbling.”

dawsonnews.com | DAWSON COMMUNITY NEWS | 5

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Congratulations to all our 2016 Chosen Citizens of Dawson County!

Thank you to each of you for your commitment/service to our community.

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Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Retiredfiremancontinuestoservecommunity

By Michele Hester

mhester@dawsonnews.com

Watching kids squeal and scream out with joy as they splash through the water sprinklers at Rotary Island, Ken Grosch knows he was part of something truly special.

“It reaches out to the whole community. I’m proud to say I see that as a major accomplishment,” he said. “It benefits every single child in the community.”

A service project by the Rotar y Club of Dawson County, Rotary Island is a three-dimensional, interactive splash pad featuring a 40-foot diameter with five aboveground water sprayers and six ground-level sprinklers at Rock Creek Sports Complex.

The mini-waterpark is open each summer from Memorial

Day through Labor Day. Admission is always free.

Grosch, a longtime Rotarian, served as project manager for the construc tion of the waterpark.

He also took several months off from his Grosch company to make sure the project was completed to his optimal satisfaction.

“I love the way it turned out.

I think it’s a great thing for the kids,” he said.

For his commitment to the club and the waterpark , Grosch was presented with Rotary’s prestigious Robert S. Stubbs Guardian of Ethics Award in December.

“I could not think of anyone

else that exemplifies ethics and vocational service more than these two,” said President Brooke Anderson.

Surprised by the recognition, Grosch said he was “flabbergasted” to receive the award.

“I t really humbles me, because there are so many people in this community, that do more than I do, that never get the recognized for whatever reason they deserve,” he said. “God bless this community and all of the good people out there.”

In addition to his involvement with the Rotary Club, Grosch is also an active volunteer with Family Promise, which aims to find housing for homeless Dawson County families, and Saint Vincent de Paul, a initiative that assists local families in need.

Congratulations to the 2016 Outstanding Citizens 2013 of Dawson County!

We’re proud to serve a community fi lled with such exceptional people.

Thank you for all you do to make Dawson County outstanding!

Rotary Club of Dawson County presented Ken Grosch with the club’s Robert S. Stubbs Guardian of Ethics Award Dec.4.

Michelle Hester Dawson County News

Congratulations to Our

2016 Outstanding Citizens of Dawson A special congrats and sincere thanks to

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for your generosity and commitment to our deputies.

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dawsonnews.com | DAWSON COMMUNITY NEWS | 7

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Pastor makes community part of his mission

By Sudie Crouch

For the Dawson County News

Brian Haas moved to Dawson County in 2014 from California and hit the ground running.

Even before he launched Mountain Lake Church’s Dawson C o u n t y Campus, he knew he wanted to make service to the community a church misHaas sion. And with a vision for the church to be, as Haas describes, “for the community,” the focus has been on meeting the needs – before they even have a building.

Services are currently held

in a rented space in the Dawson 400 Cinema.

To make sure the church was able to fill the biggest need,hesoughtoutthepeople who could help point him in the right direction. One of those people being Beverly Maloney, homeless liaison with the Dawson County School System.

“Beverly and her staff have a great finger on the pulse and needs of the community,” Haas said. “We (Mountain Lake Church) may not have a facility, but have hands to help.”

Working with Maloney, Haas and the volunteers help provide school supplies through the Back pack Program, shoes and coats.

Haas says it’s not a “donate and ditch” effort, either.

Volunteers not only drop off

the needed supplies but help sort and organize it for easy distribution.

“A church is more than a building,” Maloney said. “It’s about relationships and Brian’s great at getting people excited about building community and to care.”

Haas also helps provide food for the backpack program, which makes sure there are canned goods and foods available to be sent home with students who may need it.

“Not long after he came here, he rode with me to see some of the areas (with the most need),” said Dawson County Sheriff’s Capt. Tony Wooten, who heads up Backpack Buddies program.

“He’s been a great help to the community. He’s always been one I can count on.”

For Haas, it all goes back to

being able to put the best interests of the community first and doing as he describes, meeting a need. Sometimes, those needs are bigger than just a pair of shoes but may be a refrigerator or stove. Pulling resources and seeing how to find a way to meet that need is something Haas not only is able to do – but enjoys.

“It’s never a church only thing,” Haas said. “It’s just meet a need.”

In addition to working with the school system and Wooten, Haas also works closely with the Rotary Club, to help find areas of need where he can help and continues to seek out other initiatives where he can be of service.

“I’m proud to be a part of the efforts to make our community better,” Haas said.

Special to the Dawson County News

Brian Haas, left, and volunteers from Mountain Lake Church’s Dawson County campus help provide school supplies through the Backpack Buddies Program, shoes, and coats.

8 | DAWSON COMMUNITY NEWS | dawsonnews.com

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Lions Club member carries on parents’ giving spirit

By Michele Hester

mhester@dawsonnews.com

Growing up, Heather Hulsebus remembers seeing her parents consistently supporting their neighbors.

“If they needed groceries or toys someoneneeded or if someone was just going through Hulsebus a rough patch,” she said. “My mom and dad have always gi ve n w i t hout a s eco n d thought. If there’s been a need, they’ve always fulfilled it. And they didn’t do it for recognition. It was about doing it because somebody needed help.”

Hulsebus now tries to carry

Special to the Dawson County News

Heather Hulsebus, far right, is active with the Dawson County Lions Club.

on that giving spirit day in and day out.

“It’s what we are supposed to

The Dawson County Republican Party & Linda Clary Umberger would like to congratulate Heather Hulsebus, Norman Samples & Dan Pichon on Being Recognized as Outstanding Citizens of Dawson County 2016!

do. We are supposed to help our neighbor,” she said.

A longtime member of the

Dawson County Lions Club, Hulsebus said the organization’s mission to empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding fits with her personal mantra.

“I want to leave this world in a better place than it’s currently in for the greater good of people,” she said.

A member of Browns Bridge Community Church, Hulsebus said her faith is also a driving force to her commitment to give back.

“It’s God’s will. I’m not supposed to just sit idly by and watch things happen. I’m supposed to be a part of making that change. And we all have an opportunity to do that,” she said. “I just kind of release a lot of things to my faith and that he’ll guide me where I’m

needed.”

Hulsebus is also active in local politics.

“I’m currently and have been president of the Foothills Republican Women and I was secretar y of the Dawson County Republican Party,” she said.

Both, she said, give her a platform to help educate women on political issues that affect them.

“I feel that we can bring women’s issues forward on a lot of different levels that maybe they weren’t aware of,” she said.

As for the future, Hulsebus said running for office is not out of the question, though no official plans or decisions have been made.

“I see myself leading and continuing to serve the people of the county,” she said.

Congratulations to our 2016 Dawson Outstanding Citizens Thank you for everything you do in our community.

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Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Tavern manager helps feedhungryonChristmas

By Sudie Crouch

For the Dawson County News

When Scotty Seay took the job as manager at the Dawsonville Tavern, he had one request of the owner, Donavon Hyder: To allow him to feed the hungry and less fortunate on Christmas Day. Hyder agreed, and this year, the Dawsonville Tavern played host to S e a y ’s e v e n t – o r maybe it’s a mission – to feed those who need a meal on Christmas Day. “My wife Jennifer and I were so honored to be a part of this process with Scotty. When Seay he asked, we immediately said yes. Scotty has a huge heart, and he is always looking for ways to give back,” Hyder said.

Seay humbly dismisses any praise for his efforts, giving credit to the more than 30 volunteers who helped with the event.

Nearly 600 people received meals on Christmas Day 2015 in Dawson and surrounding counties, with Seay saying many were delivered to veterans, shutins and the women’s shelters, as well as to emergency and medical personnel who couldn’t come into the tavern to eat.

Seay says “it took a village,” to pull off the dinner, which cost close to $2,000.

Rhinehart Foodservice donated more than $1,000 of the food, not including the homemade desserts that Seay said rolled in once word got out. The tavern not only provided the location, but also donated time and money as well.

Born and raised in Forsyth, Seay calls Dawson County “home” and wants to help his community as much as he can.

The seasoned restaurant veteran has always found joy in feeding people, something he says he learned from his mother.

“The good gifts in life are love, food and fellowship. You got to put the love

Dr. Larry Anderson has been proudly serving the Dawsonville Community for over nine years as your neighborhood doctor.

Special to the Dawson County News

Seay organized a Christmas dinner that fed nearly 600 people in 2015.

into the food,” Seay said. “You just have to show love and get a little food in your belly.”

Instead of wanting the praise to be heaped on him, Seay is quick to shift the focus to those he looks up to, which includes his family, and another Dawson County resident, Gordon Pirkle.

“When we were done with the dinner on Christmas, and I was getting ready to clean up, I walked out in the tavern, and there was Gordon, cleaning. That’s a memory that stays with you,” he says of Pirkle, adding that he gets a lot of his inspiration to help the community from him.

“He says he gets it from me, but he stretches it. He out gives me,” Pirkle said. “He’s always given back. I can’t say enough about Scotty. He is what an Outstanding Citizen ought to be.”

Again, Seay doesn’t want any glory for his efforts.

“It’s not about me, it’s about a higher power,” Seay said. “It’s never about me.”

Seay is already looking forward to feeding those who need a meal on Christmas this year.

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10 | DAWSON COMMUNITY NEWS | dawsonnews.com

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Local teen decides to make a difference

By Jake Alvarado

For the Dawson County News

Age has no say in whether or not you can make a difference. Just ask Jarod Posey.

Posey, 14, was just a middle schooler when he was inspired by his neighbors doing charity work to do some giving back of his own.

“I found out my neighborwasdoing the Atlanta 2-Day Posey walk four years ago and I wanted to do a 5K to help out a charity in the community,” Posey said.

He was able to raise around $500 dollars for the Atlanta 2-Day Walk with his neighbors.

Posey, who is currently a freshman at Dawson County High School, has been organizing 5Ks for charity for the past four years and doesn’t have

any plans of stopping.

Each 5K that Posey has organized has taken place at Rock Creek Park in Dawsonville.

“The funds that I raised from my 5K go directly to the charity or company I helped raise money for,” he said.

Posey has had the opportunity to organize four events so far. Funds from his events have benefited organizations such as, Atlanta 2-Day Walk, Children’s Healthcare, Dawson County Special Olympics and Dawson County Family Connection.

His most recent event benefited the local family connection.

Nancy Stites, director of Family Connection, said she was thrilled to learn of Jarod’s plan to support the organization, which is part of a statewide initiative of community collaborative partnerships committed to making measurable improvements for children and families in Georgia.

“We were very flattered that Jarod

Congratulations

Kim Bennett

on being chosen as one of

Dawson County’s 2016 Outstanding Citizens We love you!

harborworshipcenter.com

chose Family Connection as a recipient this year,” she said.

Posey said his parents have also been a big inspiration to him.

“Seeing my parents give back to the homeless and to people at our church has been a motivating factor for me,” he said. “They’ve also been very supportive of everything that I have been doing and help me out whenever I need it.

“My parents have helped me receive donations and helped pick out which organizations or charities to donate to, and also drive me around everywhere I need to be to pick up supplies.”

Posey said the goal of his events is to simply give back and have fun.

“My 5K’s are about having fun and raising money for charities and organizations in need,” Posey said.

Posey lives with his parents, John and Jolene, along with his older Special to the Dawson County News brother Justin in Dawsonville. He also plays basketball for Dawson The most recent 5K organized by 14-year-old Jarod Posey benefited Dawson County Family Connection.

County High School.

Congratulations to our wonderful Principal

Kim Bennett!

You are so deserving of this recognition.

Every student, staff member, and parent at Robinson Elementary feel special because of you.Your tiger spirit is contagious and we LOVEYOU! WAY TO GO Mrs. Kim!

dawsonnews.com | DAWSON COMMUNITY NEWS | 11

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Environmentalist keeps Dawson beautiful

By Michele Hester

mhester@dawsonnews.com

Norman Samples was recently named Keep Dawson County Beautiful’s Volunteer of the Year.

He was the obvious member to recognize, according to board members, who said the 74-year-old won’t say no if he’s asked to help and will rearrange his busy schedule when volunteers are needed.

“Norman is always there for us,” said Kristie Hudson, a fellow board member for the volunteer organization that strives to bring meaningful change to Dawson County through quality of life services, like litter prevention, solid waste planning and coordination, environmental education, beautification and conservation.

Samples joined the group

nearly six years ago, in part to find a way to occupy himself after his wife Nancy passed away in 2008.

“She was sick for 30 years, and I took care of her,” he said. “ B e i n g involved in my community Samples kept me from being at home in that house alone.”

It was also his loving wife that served as his true inspiration as an environmentalist.

“She was the environmentalist before it was cool. If I threw a chewing gum wrapper out the window, she would make me stop and go back and get it,” he said. “She was a stickler for that kind of thing.”

And because of her insis-

tence that the world should be treated as a beautiful place and not abused with trash and pollutants, Samples said seeing garbage tossed out on roadways makes him a bit crazy.

“I just hate to see trash all over a road. I like for our county to be beautiful. I would like to get people educated on that, because every gas station, ever y grocer y store, everywhere you go has a trash can,” he said.

The Samples moved to Dawson County from sprawling Gwinnett in 2000.

“I feel like I ought to serve the community a little, and I love Dawsonville. I think it’s the best place in the world to live. I don’t know of a better place. If you’re not living here, you’re just out of luck,” he said.

Congratulations to 2 of our local Vietnam Vets

LARRY ANDERSON

DAN PICHON

for being chosen as Dawson County Outstanding Citizens of 2016.

Well deserved.

Thank you for your service to our country.

Norman Samples and Louise McPherson move pebbles from a stream at Rock Creek Park during a Keep Dawson County Beautiful workday last year.

Michelle Hester Dawson County News

12 | DAWSON COMMUNITY NEWS | dawsonnews.com

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Student cares for animals in need

By Jake Alvarado

editor@dawsonnews.com

It didn’t take much to inspire Shannon Porter to begin her Christmas charity for animals.

“One day in the car with my mom I realized that there are charities for sick children and homeless families but not any for homeless animals and I felt that I needed to start one,” said the 14-year-old D a w s o n County High School freshPorter man.

A commercial on the radio around Christmas time is what sparked the idea for Shannon and her mother, Cindy Lord.

Porter came up with the name Christmas for Critters for her charity.

“Helping out is not something I do out of obligation, but from my heart, because I’ve always loved animals,” she said. “When I figured I wanted to do it I knew that this was my purpose and it is what I was here to do.

“And the passion that I have for those animals helped create something new.”

One hundred percent of the funds raised by the charity are donated to the Dawson County Humane Society.

Porter’s mother has been the inspiring factor for her charity.

“My mom has always taught me to respect all of God’s creatures equally,” she said.

“She has also been 110 percent supportive of me, she has kept me going and pushed me to go farther every year and set goals for myself,” Porter said.

Porter started to raise money fo r t h e D aw s o n Co u n t y Humane Society when she was

Special to the Dawson County News

Above, Shannon Porter collects food and supplies for needy animals during the holidays with her charity “Christmas for Critters.” Left, she picks up donations left at Dr. Ed Holton’s office during last year’s Christmas for Critters event.

just 8-years-old when she found a newspaper article saying that the humane society needed money for a surgical center.

“Shannon took it upon her-

self to help out by going through her neighborhood and selling pencils to raise money towards the cause,” her mother Lord said.

Porter would also take any

m o n e y sh e re ce i ve d fo r Christmas and use it toward buying supplies for the humane society and deliver the supplies to them.

Now a freshman at Dawson County High School, Porter is yet to log any volunteer hours because she is not old enough at the humane society but still manages to help out by raising funds and doing her Christmas Charity for the shelter.

This past year Porter was able to able to gather $1600, exceeding her previous mark of $600 the year before along with

an enormous amount of food and supplies for the humane society.

Veterinarian Ed Holton, who had a collection box each year at All Animals Veterinar y Hospital, said the donations Shannon has collected have been a tremendous help to the shelter.

“We’re so appreciative,” he said.

If you are interested in helping out or want more information you can visit www.faceb o o k . c o m / ChristmasforCrittersOfficial.

dawsonnews.com | DAWSON COMMUNITY NEWS | 13

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

A mechanic by trade, Shawn Kilgore of Dawsonville is known to stop and help stranded motorists.

Michele Hester Dawson County News

Mechanic turns life around, helps motorists to give back

By Michele Hester

mhester@dawsonnews.com

Leaning over the engine of an SUV, Shawn Kilgore yells to his buddy in the front seat.

“You can crank it up now,” he said, and then he listened to the engine pure.

“That’ll do it.”

Following in the footsteps of most of the men in his family, Kilgore grew up learning tricks of the trade and earned his mechanics certification soon out of high school.

At 44, he’s now using that knowledge to give back to his community.

“If I see someone on the side of the road, I don’t care what time it is, who they are, it don’t matter. I’m going to turn around and see if I can help them. It’s just my Kilgore nature,” he said. “ M y g r a n d f a t h e r, Clyde Disharoon, was like that. It didn’t matter what time it was, people could come to my grandmother’s house, and he would get up and go fix their cars.”

His wife Misty said she’s proud of his good heart and the man he’s become.

“Shawn is a good hearted person who would give anybody the shirt off of his back,” she said.

That ’s the new and improved “Kilgore,” as he is known to friends. A year ago, he didn’t know where his life was headed.

But luckily, “by the grace of God,” he said he has found his way, and never wants to look back.

“I made mistakes. I know it. I hurt my family. I really broke their heart. I wasn’t sure if they’d ever be able to forgive me…again.”

Kilgore was living the life of the rich and famous, driving fast cars, partying at the best clubs in Atlanta---until authorities learned where the money he was spending came from and he was popped for trafficking methamphetamine.

He spent five years in prison the first time. Then he got out and tried to live the good life, but the memories of the past and his greed continued to haunt him.

“It was never about the high. It was the money and the power,” he said.

After another three year stint in prison on similar drug charges, Kilgore wants the world to know he’s a changed man.

“This last time was it. I’m done with that life. My life has never been better. I have peace now. Peace in my heart and peace in my mind,” he said. “I know that I’m doing something good for Misty, for myself and for the community.

“There ain’t no amount of money in the world that’s worth your freedom and your family.”

14 | DAWSON COMMUNITY NEWS | dawsonnews.com

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Blue Light Snacks makes sure officers can eat

By Sudie Crouch

For the Dawson County News

When the Price family moved to Dawson County from Kentucky a year and a half ago, they knew they wanted to participate in the sheriff ’s citizen law enforcement academy to find out more about what local law enforcement does.

For Cheryl and daughter Shauna, they never imagined they would end up finding a way to serve the officers instead.

It was during a ridealong with an officer that Shauna realized oftentimes, officers on patrol seldom get time to eat.

Twelve hour shifts can be exhausting – even more so when those officers are missing a meal.

Working accidents and re s p o n d i n g t o c a l l s leaves little time to even hit a drive-thru when seconds count.

“People think the deputies get an hour for their l u n c h b re a k – t h e y don’t,” Cheryl Price said.

“If they are stuck out on a call, they may not be able to get anything to eat.”

To help ensure the officers would have some nourishment on hand, the Prices began preparing and delivering more than 30 Blue Light Snack Packs to the Dawson County Sheriff ’s Office in the fall of 2015.

The Blue Light Snack Packs offer an assortment of items such as Slim Jims, granola bars, cookies and other items that will keep well in the officers’ patrol cars, along with mints and an antibacterial wipe. Also

File photo

Shauna and Cheryl Price, left, deliver more than 30 Blue Light Snack Packs to the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office to give deputies something to snack on during their shifts when they may not otherwise have a chance to eat.

included on the bag, is a sticker expressing their gratitude to the officers for serving the community.

Dawson County Sher iff Billy Car lisle said he was “shocked” that citizens would take up the initiative to do something like this for the officers.

“The officers are real appreciative,” he said.

“This helps them out a lot. It’s something to snack on until they can get a meal.”

Those meals usually don’t happen until after the end of their shift.

The family, including

father and husband, Bill, c u r re n t l y m a k e a n d deliver the bags every t wo we e k s. C h e r y l ’s Sunday school class at Concord Baptist Church has donated money to help fund the snack packs, along with donations from Ingles, Kroger, Food Lion, and BJ’s in Cumming. The family would like to deliver the Blue Light Snack Packs weekly and hope to eventually form a non-profit to make weekly delivery a possibility.

“We saw a need and wanted to be a blessing,” Cheryl says. “ I t ’s become ‘cool’ to be

Special to the Dawson County News

Cheryl, Bill and Shauna Price

against a police officer now and we wanted to change that.”

Carlisle said the gener-

osity goes a long way for his deputies. “Law enforcement gets such negative publicity, it’s

good to know there’s folks out there that really care and appreciate the work they are doing.”

dawsonnews.com | DAWSON COMMUNITY NEWS | 15

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

CONGRATULATIONS TO EACH OF OUR CHOSEN DAWSON CITIZENS! Thank you for your selfless contribution to our community.

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Wednesday, January 27, 2016

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