Back the Blue returns to Auglaize

WAPAKONETA — The Auglaize County Commissioners will be hosting a canned food drive to support law enforcement starting Thursday.

Those who bring canned goods to the commissioners’ office in the annex building will receive a blue light bulb to shine Sept. 20 to Sept. 26.

Let’s Back the Blue Organizer Anne Niemeyer said because of the cancellation of Police Week activities, she picked a different week to light Auglaize County blue.

She said area hardware stores, such as Lowe’s, Walmart and True Value all have blue lights. She said through her neighbor-to-neighbor campaign she is encouraging area residents to ask their

neighbors to participate in the display.

The lights distributed through the food drive were funded by area businesses.

Commissioners will also be shining blue lights on the courthouse for the week.

“I’m happy that the commissioners are doing this as a way to give back to law enforcement,” she said.

She called the effort “a win, win,” as local food banks Mercy Unlimited and God’s Storehouse would benefit and people could get lights to show their support.

“Whoever is shining that light supports law enforcement,” Niemeyer said. She believes this will be a big emotional boost for area law enforcement officers and on her block, there are already several houses with blue lights showing.

Niemeyer explained her reason for the big display.

“We are very blessed here in Auglaize County. We don’t have the situations that law enforcement in the bigger cities find themselves in,” she said. “But police have been painted with such a broad brush this year that it gets to you after a while. If when you turn on the news, and all you

see are negative stories about law enforcement, it kind of wears on you.

“This would be a response to that — to let law enforcement know that we’ve got their backs.”

Her goal is to have communities support their local departments in umbrella groups. She said St. Johns, Buckland and Uniopolis could still support for the Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office.

Niemeyer hopes to raise money through a “Got Your Six” raffle for different department wish lists, some of which include items like portable breathalyzers, taser replacements and active shooter protection kits.

Niemeyer said 100% of proceeds go toward local law enforcement agencies.

More information can be found at LetsBackTheBlue.org or by calling 419-234-6414.

She said Let’s Back the Blue has organized a bulb distribution in Waynesfield, noting that bulbs can be purchased at the Waynesfield Municipal Building, 300 N. Westminster St., for a $5 donation and proceeds benefit that department’s wish list.

On Facebook, Waynesfield Police Chief Nathan Motter thanked local residents for their support and called it “overwhelming.”