Safety Foundation Revs Up to Help Fallen Heroes

The Smyrna Public Safety Foundation’s first Standing Together Benevolent Motorcycle Ride and Raffle takes place Saturday, Aug. 13, to benefit public safety officers in need.

The event was originally planned for May and included a classic car show, but had to be canceled due to severe weather. The rescheduled event includes a longer motorcycle ride and a raffle for prizes like a 2012 Harley Davidson Street Glide, a Glock pistol, a one-week vacation stay at a Panama City Beach condo and a Luminox Black Out watch like the kind worn by Navy SEALs.

The event kicks off at 10 a.m. with registration at the The ride revs up at 11 a.m. with a 40-mile motorcycle ride through Cobb and Paulding counties. The ride will be followed by a picnic at Cobb Park.

Participation in the ride costs $20 per motorcycle and $10 for each additional passenger excluding the driver. Admission to the event includes entrance into the raffle. Lunch following the ride costs $5. Event t-shirts are available for $10.

All proceeds from the ride and the picnic will benefit the SPSF Benevolent Fund, which benefits public safety officers in need. Tickets can be purchased online or at Earl Small’s Harley Davidson, C-COM 911 or Smyrna Fire Station No. 1. Only 1,500 tickets will be sold.  

The SPSF is committed to helping fallen officers even when they are no longer active in public safety efforts. One officer benefitting from the Benevolent Fund is Jed Minyard, a Smyrna police officer who was badly injured in an on-duty motorcycle accident last November. According to Michael Smith, Smyrna Police Department spokesman, Minyard is still recovering and it is unknown whether he’ll regain full use of his right leg.

Those who wish to donate, but can’t participate in the ride and picnic can do so here.

Don't forget to mark your calendars for the and be a part of what promises to become Smyrna’s biggest event each year. The gala is scheduled for Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. at Brawner Hall, 3180 Atlanta Road in Smyrna. It features live entertainment, delicious food, and both live and silent auctions of goods and services from area businesses and residents.

For information on becoming a sponsor, donating items or funds, or volunteering your efforts, contact Jim or Karen Carter, jimcarter1@charter.net, karencarter@charter.net.