Law enforcement motorcycle group to host community picnic

Nevada Daily Mail

The local law enforcement motorcycle group continues to find ways to serve the community, this time through their First Sacred Sons Community Picnic to be held next Saturday to raise money for school supplies.

"It's mainly to help our community with the kids who are less fortunate and the parents who have maybe hit a hard time," chapter president and Vernon County Sheriff's Office detective David Johnson said of their goal for the event.

The fundraiser, to be held at TCB Towing, will include a bounce house donated by Auto Spot and portable misters to be provided by the Vernon County Ambulance District if the weather that weekend is warm. Those activities as well as a meal will be provided for a small fee, with all proceeds going towards supplies for children attending schools across the county.

"It helps the child with their esteem, I believe," Johnson said, adding the children might have more confidence and be more ready to learn if they have a new book bag and other supplies. "I think they'll do better in school with some encouragement."

Johnson said he would also check with the area schools to see if they have protocol on providing meals for children whose families cannot afford them. If the school is unable to provide those meals without pay, he said they might try to use funds raised to pay for those meals.

"If they're hungry, they're not going to pay attention in school," Johnson said.

Johnson said area businesses have already said they will donate supplies, adding they plan to ask other local businesses to participate as well. Individuals can also make personal donations straight into their bank account at First National Bank by saying they want to donate to the Itus Virtus account.

"If it goes good, maybe we'll try to grow a little bit each year," Johnson said of the event, saying members of the community have begun to accept their organization as part of the "good guys," when so many negative things have occurred around the country.

Although they do not have a specific amount set as a goal from the event, Johnson said they hope to raise enough money to help not just Nevada schools, but those in other areas of the county as well.

"That way everybody in our county can benefit a little bit from it," Johnson said. "Because we're all about helping everybody in our county."

The event will begin at 11 a.m. on July 18, and will continue until 4 p.m.