Elks
Bay City Elks serve Bay City police officers during the 2012 Celebrating Hometown Heroes event.
(Courtesy)
BAY CITY, MI —
The Bay City Elks Lodge wants to say thank you with a picnic.
The thanks are going out to the "people who safeguard our community every day," said event organizer George Lynch, Bay City Elks exalted ruler.
All Bay County police, firefighters and emergency medical technicians, and their families, are invited to the second annual Celebrating Hometown Heroes event at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 27, at Bigelow Park on Evergreen in Bay City.
"We don't want anything in return, the Elks are about charity and giving back to the community," said Lynch. "We just want the families to come out so we can say thanks."
Last year, about 100 people attended, and Lynch is hoping for 150 people this year.
The Elks hired That Guys BBQ to grill up pulled pork and a 7up distributor is donating soft drinks for the event.
"We wanted to give back to those that give so much of themselves every day," Lynch said. "They deserve our thank-yous."
The Elks is a charitable organization that supports veterans and special needs students and awards scholarships.
This year, the Elks is putting in a school supply drive to donate to charitable organizations in Bay County, "so the supplies will go to the families that need them the most," Lynch said.
Bay City Elks Lodge #88 was awarded the Gratitude and Beacon grants from Grand Lodge, the governing body of the Elks. It is using part of that money on the Celebrating Hometown Heroes event.
"When was the last time someone stopped a cop and said thank you?" Lynch asked.