Event will raise funds for public safety

Safety takes center stage at an Evans fund-raising event Saturday.

Several Columbia County emergency service agencies plan to participate in Public Safety Awareness Day at the Evans Wal-Mart shopping center parking lot in front of the Peppermill restaurant to raise money for the Augusta Red Cross Heroes Campaign.

"It started with the Red Cross asking me to get a committee together to help raise money for their Heroes Campaign, which is where they make an effort to raise $50,000 in Richmond and Columbia counties to help meet their budget needs," Columbia County Emergency Services Director Pam Tucker said.

The event will feature several safety demonstrations and information booths from emergency response groups and private businesses.

Demonstrations will include the Columbia County Sheriff's Office canine unit; bicycle safety; a DUI golf-cart cone course; the office's all-terrain vehicles and motorcycle units; and the Special Response Team.

Other informational and safety displays will include the I.D. A Child program, Gold Cross Ambulance and Air-Med helicopter services, fire trucks, self-defense information and an appearance from Smokey Bear.

Peppermill and Mot's Barbecue will serve barbecue chicken and pork dishes.

Raffle tickets are on sale to win a Mossberg pump-action 12-gauge shotgun, a Harley-Davidson leather jacket and girl's and boy's mountain bikes. Raffle tickets cost $5 each and can be purchased at the event or at the county EMA office, the Columbia County Justice Center, the sheriff's office, the Martinez Fire Department Headquarters and Peppermill. A drawing will be at 3 p.m. at the safety event. Winners will be announced at that time but do not have to be present.

All of the money raised through the raffle will be donated to the Red Cross, Tucker said.

"We look at it as a double win - donations for the Red Cross and a great day for the public to learn about safety and to meet the people of the agencies that protect them," she said.

IF YOU GO:

WHAT: Public Safety Awareness Day

WHEN: Saturday, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

WHERE: Parking lot in front of Peppermill restaurant, 4461 Washington Road

INFORMATION: Call the Columbia County EMA office at 868-3303.