LAUREL, MT – A nonprofit aiming to support local first responders in Laurel held a fundraising event earlier in August in an effort to help secure new bulletproof vests for the Laurel Police Department, with the event being referred to as Cornhole for a Cause.
On August 23rd, the Laurel Police Protective Association, a nonprofit headed by Laurel Police Sergeant Jackson Booth, held their second annual Cornhole for a Cause at Thompson Park in Laurel, where participants were able to enjoy a number of activities alongside local first responders while benefitting the Laurel Police Department’s effort to obtain upgraded bulletproof vests.
LPD Patrol Sergeant Haley Swan, who helped organize this year’s event, detailed the community relations benefits associated with the fundraiser, telling a local news outlet, “I think it's good for the community just to get together with local law enforcement and county. You know, we're not in uniform all the time. We're also people.”
Sgt. Swan shared how the nonprofit is partnering with a fellow pro-first responder organization called SHIELD616 in the collective effort to secure at least 15 news vests for LPD officers, which run approximately $2,500 apiece.
“The police department's trying to update the vests that we currently have to newer vests,” Sgt. Swan stated, adding, “We're currently working with SHIELD616, and the vests that we'll be getting will all be from donations.”
The city of Laurel, which could better be described as a small town home to approximately 7,200 Montanans, isn’t exactly flush with cash with respect to upgrading police equipment – with the city’s latest budgeting information showcasing slightly over $3,800 on the LPD’s equipment fund for the current fiscal year, which is meant to support 22 full time officers.
During the fundraising event, would-be cornhole teams could register to participate for a $60 registration alongside opportunities to purchase raffle tickets for items donated by various local organizations and businesses.
Additionally, the Montana Cornhole Company and B. James Design and Woodwork helped in sponsoring the event via donating the boards and beanbags used during the tournament.
Overall, Sgt. Swan said the fundraiser went well in comparison to last year’s event, telling the local news outlet, “I'd say it was pretty successful for our first year. We had a good turnout. This year, we have a good turnout as well.”
On August 23rd, the Laurel Police Protective Association, a nonprofit headed by Laurel Police Sergeant Jackson Booth, held their second annual Cornhole for a Cause at Thompson Park in Laurel, where participants were able to enjoy a number of activities alongside local first responders while benefitting the Laurel Police Department’s effort to obtain upgraded bulletproof vests.
LPD Patrol Sergeant Haley Swan, who helped organize this year’s event, detailed the community relations benefits associated with the fundraiser, telling a local news outlet, “I think it's good for the community just to get together with local law enforcement and county. You know, we're not in uniform all the time. We're also people.”
Sgt. Swan shared how the nonprofit is partnering with a fellow pro-first responder organization called SHIELD616 in the collective effort to secure at least 15 news vests for LPD officers, which run approximately $2,500 apiece.
“The police department's trying to update the vests that we currently have to newer vests,” Sgt. Swan stated, adding, “We're currently working with SHIELD616, and the vests that we'll be getting will all be from donations.”
The city of Laurel, which could better be described as a small town home to approximately 7,200 Montanans, isn’t exactly flush with cash with respect to upgrading police equipment – with the city’s latest budgeting information showcasing slightly over $3,800 on the LPD’s equipment fund for the current fiscal year, which is meant to support 22 full time officers.
During the fundraising event, would-be cornhole teams could register to participate for a $60 registration alongside opportunities to purchase raffle tickets for items donated by various local organizations and businesses.
Additionally, the Montana Cornhole Company and B. James Design and Woodwork helped in sponsoring the event via donating the boards and beanbags used during the tournament.
Overall, Sgt. Swan said the fundraiser went well in comparison to last year’s event, telling the local news outlet, “I'd say it was pretty successful for our first year. We had a good turnout. This year, we have a good turnout as well.”
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