SMYRNA PUBLIC SAFETY FOUNDATION BOARD & EVENT STEERING COMMITTEE Executive Committee Roy Acree - Deputy Fire Chief Kenny Burts Bob Crowe Shell Osbon Jim Carter Karen Carter Beau Chatham Kevin Drawe Amy Ford Kurt Greenlow Mike Jernigan Jason Lanyon Buddy Purvine Damon Wisdom Annie Banks John Carmichael
Event Steering Committee
Event Co-Founders Jim & Karen Carter Wendy Babchin – Event Chair Roy Acree Stacy Burnsed Kevin Drawe Amy Ford Kelly Nelson Amber Dawn Rice Gina Seibert Belinda Green John Carmichael Angie Carmichael
Media Contact: Stacy Burnsed 470-213-9308
[email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 31, 2013
Smyrna Honors and Raises Funds for its own Police and Firefighter Heroes with a 4th Annual Benefit Gala The Smyrna Heroes Gala is an evening of live entertainment, dining, silent & live auctions that offers a unique opportunity to reflect, honor and celebrate the men and women who protect our community. (SMYRNA) JULY 31, 2013–This September, the City of Smyrna, its residents, and local businesses will once again gather to honor, remember, and celebrate the men and women who answer our 9-1-1 calls and protect our community 24/7, 365 days a year at the 4th Annual Smyrna Heroes Gala. While the tragic events of 9/11 make September a fitting month to host the gala, this year also marks many notable examples, both nationally and locally, of how important and sometimes costly their service of protection can be. The Gala aims to increase awareness, funds and support for the Smyrna Public Safety Foundation (SPSF). The Foundation supports Smyrna’s firefighter, police officer, and safety heroes through programs that assist a variety of funding initiatives, including benevolent funds, public safety improvements and community outreach. The festivities begin on Friday, Sept.13, 2013, at 7 p.m. in Brawner Hall, 3180 Atlanta Road in Smyrna, Ga. Last year, more than 250 people came out in support of Smyrna’s local heroes. The gala, in only its third year, raised over 50,000 dollars. This year, the gala aims to increase attendance and fundraising by adding more entertainment, a patron ticket level and a special presentation in honor of several community heroes. Wesley Cook, one of Atlanta’s fastest rising music stars, along with Smyrna’s Campbell High Quartet, return to the line-up along with the introduction of a new headliner, The GLOW Band, a high-energy ensemble that remains one of Atlanta’s most in-demand dance party bands. Additionally, a special guest appearance by renowned artist Eric Waugh is planned. Waugh, one of the most recognizable and collected artists throughout North America, selling more than 40,000 original works, will be painting a commissioned piece for the gala at the event, live to Wesley Cook’s set. The painting will later be auctioned to the highest bidder during the live auction. A variety of foods from local restaurants and caterers such as Atkins Park-Smyrna and Zucca Pizza, as well as wine, beer, and specialty themed cocktails sponsored by United Distributors, will be served while guests move about the event visiting several auction rooms. Live and silent auctions will feature hundreds of items ranging from small collectible novelties to exotic trips and weekend getaways. Other items include, jewelry;
televisions; golf outings and lessons; theatre and concert tickets; celebrity, sports, film, and rock ‘n roll collectibles and memorabilia. A special presentation honoring community heroes and supporters, including Mayor, A. Max Bacon and event co-founders Jim and Karen Carter will begin at approximately 8 p.m. The last few years in particular have seen an escalation in regards to injuries within the Smyrna Police Department, further punctuating the need for programs like the SPSF and fundraising vehicles like the Smyrna Heroes Gala that support it. Numerous officers were injured on duty, one of which was last year’s highly reported hit and run accident seriously injuring Cpl. Gene Crawford. Officer Mike Smith of the Smyrna Police Department states, “Since its inception, the Foundation has been fostering a relationship between the community and public safety. I don't care how rough and tumble cops and firefighters think they are, in those critical moments, whether standing a post or going through a door not knowing what waits you on the other side, it’s comforting to know that someone has your back.” Proceeds benefit the SPSF, a non-profit organization committed to supporting our fire, police and safety heroes and the entire Smyrna community. You can learn more about our local heroes by visiting the “Meet Our Heroes” profiles on the Gala’s website. For tickets and more information about the Gala, see www.SmyrnaHeroesGala.com, Twitter: twitter.com/SmyrnaHeroGala and Facebook: facebook.com/SmyrnaAuctionforHeroesGala. About the Smyrna Public Safety Foundation (SPSF): The Smyrna Public Safety Foundation is a 501(c) non-profit corporation established between the Smyrna Public Safety agencies and local community businesses to provide support both in the community and in the professional endeavors of the public safety agencies within Smyrna. The Smyrna Public Safety Foundation's primary intent is to promote and support the Smyrna Fire and Police Department by raising funds to support current programs such as the “Shop with a Hero” annual event for area disadvantaged children during the holiday season and funding Public Safety Improvements, Community Service and Outreach Programs, Public Service Awards Recognition, and Disaster Recovery Donation Support. New activities and programs that the Smyrna Public Safety Foundation wants to add funding for are Increased Disaster Assistance, Safer Public Safety Employees, and Recruitment of Qualified Public Safety Personnel to meet city growth. For more information, see http://www.smyrnapsf.org. ###
