Back the Badges at Wheelhouse supports Crime Stoppers, 100 Club of Southeast Texas
Posted on Thursday, October 6, 2022 at 12:36 p.m
PORT NECHES: An upcoming fundraiser is set to support the blue as well as the badge.
Southeast Texas Circle of Hope hosts Back the Badges, an event where proceeds are shared between Crime Stoppers of Southeast Texas and the 100 Club of Southeast Texas.
The event is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on October 22 at the Neches River Wheelhouse in Port Neches.
Emmett Hollier, president of Circle of Hope, said the event shows support for the men and women in uniform who wear the badge and allows the community to interact with them.
Southeast Texas Circle of Hope will host Back the Badge, a fundraiser for Crimestoppers of Southeast Texas and the 100 Club of Southeast Texas. (Courtesy photo)
There will be food for sale, a silent auction, raffles and live music. Plus there’s stuff for the kids including face painting, bouncers, snow cones, ice cream and The Wheelhouse restaurant will also be open.
Hollier said they have invited all police agencies, sheriff’s office deputies, officers, fire departments and game wardens in Jefferson, Orange and Hardin counties.
The event began in 2016 after five Dallas police officers were shot and killed.
“That year we met at the courthouse in Beaumont and had motorcycles and cars to parade; one group went to Hardin County, one to Orange County and one to Port Arthur and prayed, then they were escorted back and met at the Beaumont Police Department,” Hollier said.
A second event was held three years ago, this time at The Wheelhouse under the name Celebrating the Blue. This year the event has a new name and adds its support to all who wear the badge, including fire departments.
From the agencies in attendance, several first aid vehicles will be on hand for the public to see up close.
Jeremy Raley, administrator and campus coordinator for Crime Stoppers Southeast Texas, said as a 501(c)3 nonprofit, help from any source is greatly appreciated.
Funding for Crime Stoppers rewards comes from donations or fundraising and is a huge help to the organization.
Crime Stoppers also has a presence in many school districts.
Raley said the campus-based portion of the organization is in all but one local county school district and some private and charter schools.
“We’re giving students a way they can try to keep their school safe by giving tips and being rewarded for it,” he said.
As part of this outreach, representatives visit schools and address issues such as vaping, exploitation, guns, drugs, teen dating violence and sexual assault.
The 100 Club of Southeast Texas helps support the families of fallen heroes.
