Law Enforcement Foundation to hold fundraiser Sept. 23

Sep. 20—OXFORD — Residents who want to show their appreciation to law enforcement officers will have a chance this weekend while enjoying food and fellowship.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Appreciation Foundation (ALEAF) will host a special "Draw Down Dinner" on Saturday, Sept. 23, at 6 p.m. the Oxford Civic Center.

Ticket holders will have the chance to win $10,000 and for a little extra will be able to have a second chance at the grand prize.

ALEAF was founded 10 years ago as a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting ALEAF's National Police Week efforts every May during which free lunches are provided for law enforcement officers serving in Calhoun and Cleburne counties.

The funds are also used to help pay for training and equipment and contribute to a benevolent fund to assist officers who are experiencing medical or financial emergencies.

District Attorney Brian McVeigh and his wife, Angie, started the tradition of free meals during National Police Week for officers a decade ago.

"We will feed every officer in the 7th District during Law Enforcement Week," said ALEAF member Henry Mullinax. "That is a total of 535 officers. That week also provides thousands of dollars of door prizes for our officers all provided by community support."

He said after the first year of hosting a free breakfast, McVeigh recruited him and the late County Commissioner Eli Henderson to "be involved and try to grow this thing."

"The first year brought in 100 a day, but the problem was the shift changes," he said. "So, we moved it to a luncheon where we began serving more than 300 per day. That is more than 1,000 meals we serve within that week."

Mullinax said during last year's special week there were $32,000 of door prizes handed out to officers all provided by businesses and members of the community.

"I have never walked into a business and not left with something for the officers," he said. "Every business I have had the pleasure of calling on has been supportive of what we do. That says a whole lot about our community."

Mullinax stressed there are no administrative costs associated with the nonprofit except for $500 a year for an accountant to do the required bookkeeping.

"We are there for officers every day of the year and not just for that week in May," he said. "We recently had an officer who found he and his family without a house after it burned. We provided financial support for them. There was an officer's family dealing with cancer and we provided financial support for him. We do this type of thing all year long."

Saturday's event will feature three food bars with Southern cooking such as pot roast and chicken tenders; a shrimp bar with cocktail shooters and scampi; and a salad bar with fruits and vegetables.

A charcuterie grazing table will be available for those with a variety of tastes and several different desserts along with tea and water.

"I promise you'll have a good time," Mullinax said. "The food alone is worth the price of the ticket."

"To me, having law enforcement officers has always been one of the most underappreciated privileges you have in this country. They provide the ability to use your freedom," he said. "The people we want to show our appreciation to through this effort are probably some of the most important and underpaid people we have and also the most mistreated and misunderstood."

"When you are driving along in the rain and see an officer in their starched dress uniform standing in the pouring rain changing a tire for an elderly person, couple or young lady, that shows a dedication to serve," Mullinax said. "We have a ton of officers with serving hearts and we should be just as dedicated to being there for them."

Tickets for Saturday night's event are available for $100. For $125, the tickets are given "insurance" meaning should the ticket be drawn before it is the winner it is placed back into the drawing for another chance.

Reserved sponsor tables for eight people, including four tickets with "insurance" and sponsorship announcements, are available for $1,000.

For tickets, call or text any of the following: Henry Mullinax — 256-225-3411; Tobi Burt — 256-310-8288; Steven Lines — 256-610-2659; Holly Box — 256-473-4475; Alex Ference — 256-310-2245; or Kim Henderson McCarson — 256-310-1896.

Staff Writer Brian Graves: 256-236-1551.