First responders honored with dinner in North Baldwin

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STOCKTON, Alabama — More than 200 first responders will be honored during the second annual First Responder Appreciation Dinner, which will be held Thursday, Sept. 12 at Matthews Landing at Lower Bryant Landing in Stockton.

“We are really excited,” said Carol Messer with the North Baldwin Friends of First Responders group in a phone interview on Sept. 4. “We have close to 200 RSVPs so far and are expecting more.”

They are expecting a total of around 300 people to attend the event.

“We started this event with the North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce as a way to show our appreciation for what our first responders do for our community and beyond,” Messer said.

Donations are made through the North Baldwin Chamber Foundation, a 501 (c )3 non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible.

In all, 26 first responder groups in the North Baldwin area will be represented at the event, including the Bay Minette Police Department; Bay Minette Fire Department; Baldwin County 911 Operators; Medstar Air Care 1 (based in Stapleton); Stockton Volunteer Fire Department; Baldwin County Sherriff Department (BCSO); North Baldwin Alabama Marine Patrol; North Baldwin State Troopers (ALEA); North Baldwin Sherriff’s Search and Rescue; Medstar; Baldwin County Emergency Management Agency; North Baldwin EMS; Stapleton Volunteer Fire Department; Little River Volunteer Fire Department; Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department; Perdido Volunteer Fire Department; Pine Grove Volunteer Fire Department; Rabun Volunteer Fire Department; Tensaw Volunteer Fire Department; White House Fork Volunteer Fire Department; Lottie Volunteer Fire Department; Alabama Conservation Enforcement Officers; Alabama Power; Baldwin EMC; North Baldwin Utilities; Poarch Band of Creek Indians Fire Rescue.

“We decided this year to include the power and utility companies,” Messer said, “since we are in the middle of hurricane season and they are always the first to respond when we have a storm.” Messer said she also wanted to thank all of the sponsors for this year’s event, including: Poarch Band of Creek Indians; Pine Grove Baptist Church; The First of Baldwin County; North Baldwin Infirmary; Chuck Stevens; Stockton Civic Club; Alabama Land Title Co. Inc.; United Bank; Alabama Power; American Pride Petroleum; Just a Tan; Norris Funeral Home; Stockton Equipment Company; Banks Memorial Funeral Home; Edward Jones – Ryan Nowotny; Walmart; North Baldwin Chamber Foundation; North Baldwin Utilities; Landing; Unknown Bluegrass Band; Byrd’s Eagle Printing; Blooming Fabulous; Robbie’s Florist and Gifts; Lucy Rucy’s; Streets; Stage Coach; Pearl and Addie’s Café; WaterOak Coastal Catering; South Alabama Vending; Pepsi.

“I think we got everything donated, except we had to spend about $100 on bread and Conecuh sausage,” she said. The menu also includes Boston Butt, Cole slaw, additional sides, drinks and dessert.

While the event is not open to the general public, Messer said, they are always open to donations and volunteers to help with the event.

Plans are already underway for next year’s event, Messer said. You can make donations to the North Baldwin Chamber Foundation (in the memo line note to “Friends of First Responders”), 301 McMeans Ave., Bay Minette, AL, 36507, or mail to P.O. Box 310, Bay Minette, AL 36507.

If you would like more information on how to donate or volunteer for next year’s event, you can contact Messer at 228-257-1888 or email coachmesser@gmail.com.