Community CHECK IN WITH PLANT CITY FOCUS Gracie Martinez Awarded Chief’s Award by PCPD

By Jennifer Jordan

On April 28, Gracie Martinez was awarded the Chief’s Award by Plant City Police Department’s Chief James Bradford. The born and raised Plant Citian, who currently manages at Outback Steakhouse in Brandon, has been volunteering for about five years for the Plant City Police Department.

Gracie volunteered for many events and did little surprises here and there for the officers, “I am proud to say that I am part of our very first Family Support Team at the Plant City Police Department. This is something they have never had here, and to be a part of the foundation of it has been amazing. Our mission is to provide support to our officers and their families in any way possible.”

Walking in the annual parades, such as the Christmas parade, creating treats for National Officer Appreciation Day, and feeding the officers at the Florida Strawberry Festival are some of the many things Gracie does for the department.

When asked her reason for volunteering, Gracie noted, “Aside from loved ones working at the department, I think my biggest motivation for helping them is to simply take care of those who take care of us. They work daily to keep us safe and deal with all the chaos in the world. They put their life on the line for us and truly care about the citizens of Plant City.”

When finding out about receiving the Chief’s Award, Gracie said she was in complete shock: “The things I do for the community aren’t to be recognized or praised. I simply do them to give back to the community that raised me.”

Hoping to continue her efforts at PCPD and eventually expand outside of it, Gracie said, “I do work full-time, but I am currently working towards starting my own non-profit for the youth here in Plant City. I’m working with local businesses and small business owners to hopefully throw a “back to school bash” later this year, completely free to the underprivileged youth of our town.”

Giving selflessly and never expecting anything in return, Gracie Martinez is the perfect recipient of the Chief’s Award.