As this monthly newsletter is being written, 13 heroes are arriving home. Eleven Marines, one Navy corpsman, and one soldier were murdered in a terrorist attack in Kabul, Afghanistan during the evacuation process. Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers are with each and every Gold Star family.
August was a busy month with presentations, events, and new fundraising merchandise.
On Sunday, August 15, BTBNC staff presented a total of $273,149 along with memorial plaques to the families of Watauga County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Chris Ward and Deputy Logan Fox. $151,091 was given to the Ward family and $122,058 was awarded to the Fox family.
Ward, 36, and Fox, 25, died on April 28 during a stand-off that began with a welfare check, lasted for nearly 13 hours, and resulted in five deaths.
Present were Watauga County Sheriff Len Hagaman, Family members Timothy Fox, Candace Ward, Annaleise Moody, and various patrol officers who were shift partners with Fox and Ward. Also present was Laura Freeman Brock from Badcock Furniture of Elkin who raised an additional $3,300 for the Sheriff to be used as needed for their department.
BTBNC staff members present were Lindsay LiCausi, Anthony LiCausi, Gadi Adelman, Melissa DeLong, Theresa Carver, and Ashleigh Bowers.
Back The Blue NC would like to thank the thousands of people that donated to the Sgt. Ward and K9 Deputy Fox funds. The outpouring of generosity was not only from NC, and from around the entire United States, but from other countries around the world as well.
BTBNC introduced several new fundraising items that are now on the store website. Our new BTBNC rubber bracelets have our name/website "www.BACKTHEBLUENC.org" on one side and like our tee shirts have "DEFEND THE POLICE' on the other side with the thin blue line in between.
The BTBNC keychain has to be seen to be appreciated, it has a metal BTBNC logo attached to a key fob with matching white thread!
Finally, we partnered with Savvy Oak Candle Company, a local NC candle manufacturer. This is an exclusive scent just for BTBNC! ‘Blue Line Flame Candles’ are a lavender and vanilla mix scent, the candles and wax melts are 100% natural soy wax candles made with fragrance oils containing no harmful chemicals or toxins. The 3 different size candles come in glass jars with the BTBNC logo!
Our mission statement, "Giving back to those who are willing to give their all" is more than just a saying or words. Back The Blue NC will continue to raise funds for future law enforcement needs throughout the State in the future. We cannot achieve this without your support.
Please consider joining our 10-33 Assistance Program: https://www.backthebluenc.org/1033
Purchases of all our merchandise can be made through our website store: https://www.backthebluenc.org/shop