As many of you know, we have been sponsoring the only ongoing yearly event that has been known as
"Law Enforcement Appreciation Day" in Canton, North Carolina. As a result, we have helped put
together this event for the last three years.
As a result, we receive emails like this one from the Shelby County Sheriff's department in Alabama, in regards
to a fundraiser to pay off the mortgage for the widow of Officer Philip Davis who was shot and killed during a
routine traffic stop on 12/04/2009. The campaign is to raise $200,000 in 20 days.
Sheriff Chris Curry's email….
PLEASE READ ALL OF THIS TO INCLUDE THE EXPLANATION OF THE TWO WOLVES AT THE END.
"You do not get by taking, but receive by giving."
Most, if not all of you, have heard me say the quote above. Now is the time
that each of us can practice this lesson. How ironic that I sat in church
Sunday morning and Pastor Paul Lawler talked about the "joyful giver". He
stressed that those who give out of a sense of duty do not reap the huge
returns given to those who give happily and without expectation of reward.
Yesterday, Monday morning, I attended a meeting at Pelham City Hall. When
contacted last week and invited, no purpose was given for this meeting.
Mayor Don Murphy just wanted my input on a project he was starting. Below
is a newspaper article from the Shelby County Reporter giving details of the
project. Mayor Murphy, Police Chief Tommy Thomas, city council members,
business leaders, fire department members, government officials, ministers
and others totaling over 40 people were in attendance.
It is very simple. To honor the memory of Pelham Police Officer Phillip
Davis, a twenty day fund raising campaign began. The goal is to provide
$200,000 to Paula Davis and pay off the mortgage on her home. Now as a Mom
alone, she has the responsibility and financial obligations of her 9 month
old little boy, and a 2 year old precious little girl. Put yourself in
those shoes.
$200,000 in 20 days is $10,000 a day. As I sat in that meeting, I made a
personal commitment to meet one day of this goal. $10,000 divided by 200
employees at the Shelby County Sheriff's Office is $50 from each of us.
Everyone who works here should have gratitude for the blessings that we
receive. Law Enforcement is a family, and we enjoy the respect and honor
connected with this family. Each person who was eligible for a step raise
this year is receiving it. They may vary in value from $600 annually to
perhaps as high as $1500. I stood in support of that step raise because
each of you does a job most people would not or could not perform. I
believe in you.
Paula Davis needs to believe in you in the next twenty days. I know in my
heart that almost everyone here can afford $50 in spite of Christmas
expenses, gasoline costs and other things. I also know that there are a few
of us who honestly cannot afford it. Medical costs, child care and family
emergencies may make $50 a hurdle you cannot clear. But those of us who
know someone in that position can pay the extra $50 for them with a joyful
heart. If any wish to contact me privately, and want to participate but
simply cannot, I will make the donation for you.
The parable below was provided to me by a friend, a patriot and a giver of
his time and talents. He is a retired Navy Commander, and spent many years
teaching survival and evasion techniques to Marine and Navy sailors, Seals
and aviators. He knows first hand what personal inner strengths keep you
alive. I felt this was fitting to accompany this appeal. Which wolf will
you feed starting today?
The parable of Two Wolves - One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson
about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, My son, the battle is
between two wolves inside us all. "One is Evil - It is anger, envy,
jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment,
inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is Good -
It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence,
empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith." The grandson thought
about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf wins?"
The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."
To send funds to the Davis Family Mortgage Payoff Fundraiser through
AlaCop.us and SupportPoliceOfficers.com, you can do either of the following:
Go to SupportPoliceOffice rs.com and click on the Donate link at the bottom
of the page. This will take you to our PayPal service where you can donate
using a credit/debit card. In the comments section, just put in Philip Davis Fund.
Send your Check of Money Order to AlaCop, Inc. at P.O. Box 627, Millbrook, AL 36054
Either way will qualify as a tax-deductible donation. We will make sure
that the funds are forwarded within the 20 day period.