Church serves police at appreciation dinner
Certified in February through ProLiteracy, new Collierville Literacy Council tutors Nancy Beeson (front, left), Emily Williams, Sandy Williams, Mary Kay Roy, Laura Kuhn; Cyndee Ross (back), Jeff Ross, Margaret Woodward and Don Smith meet weekly with students.
Members of Collierville Bible Church spared no detail in putting together the 2013 Collierville Police Officer Appreciation Banquet.
From f lowers and candles to seating charts and table service, church volunteers went the extra mile to show their appreciation for the city’s police force. The event, in its third year, was the idea of senior pastor Jim Fleming. After attending a defensive handgun class at Front Sight Training in Pahrump, Nev., with officers from other jurisdictions, Fleming was overwhelmed by a realization of the challenges police officers face.
Impressed by the twoday course Fleming went back to his congregation and sought their support in making this training available to Collierville’s police officers.
It was decided that the congregation would send four officers each year to the Front Sight training course.
Wanting to show their appreciation for all Collierville’s officers, not just those selected, the church also decided to hold an appreciation banquet for officers and their spouses each year, at which they would present the training class awards. “We are making sure the Collierville officers know they are appreciated. Who doesn’t do a better job when they’re appreciated? That’s one way we can make Collierville a better place; by encouraging those who protect and serve us,” Fleming said.
Maria Randall, a mem- Volunteer Dan Fry serves Lt. Philip Arnold some vegetable medley at Collierville Bible Church’s Police Officer’s Banquet. Attendees also enjoyed table served soup, salad and bread in addition to the buffet style main courses of marinated grilled beef tenderloin and seafood stuffed salmon and side dishes. ber of the church who lives in Collierville, took the day off from work to volunteer at the event. She helped with preparations throughout the day and then dined with officers. “They put their lives on the line every day for us, and they don’t get enough appreciation. This is just a little something we can do,” Randall said.
The seating was arranged so that there was an equal mix of church members and officers at every table.
“I really love the opportunity to get to know the officers on a personal level. It really puts a face to the people that keep us safe,” Randall said.
Patrolman Brian Hailey attended with his wife, Romilly. Hailey, who has been with the Collierville Police Department for three years, said this was his first time attending the banquet. “There are always people that try to do something for us like dropping off cookies at the station but this is different. This is really a big event and it’s great,” he said. They said the banquet was also a chance for the couple to have a nice dinner together. With Romilly working days and Brian on the midnight to 8 a.m. shift opportunities like this are few and far between. “With his shift it’s not like I can meet him for lunch,” she said. “And it’s great to have a chance to put face to names (of the other police officers) of the people I hear stories about.”
The entire Collierville Police force, around 100 officers, was invited to attend.
Those on duty were encouraged to come by and pick up a “take out” version of the evening meal when they could.
Church members attending the dinner paid $ 40 per person, which covered their meal and an officers’ meal. Around 200 people attended the dinner, not including the around 50 volunteers that made up the wait staff. Among the speakers were Fleming, pastor Nick Brown, and Police Chief Larry Goodwin.