First responder softball tournament raises money for Christmas bikes

BY CLAY NEELY

A first responder softball game raised more than $4,000 dedicated to providing bikes for kids this Christmas.

Lt. Jennifer Reasor from the Coweta County Department of Corrections helped organize the inaugural Battle of the First Responders event and rounded up eight teams from local agencies to play ball.

The Coweta County Prison team battles it out with the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office.

PHOTO BY REBECCA LEFTWICH

Members of the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office, Newnan Police Department, 911/ EMA, Georgia State Patrol, Peachtree City Police Department, Fayette County Sheriff’s Office and LaGrange Police Department all fielded teams that competed over two days.

The event also featured a Home Run Derby, which was won by Trevor Green of the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, who hit a total of seven home runs to take the trophy. In the end, LaGrange was named tournament champions, but every team’s participation helped raise money for Christmas With A Cop, the annual shopping spree sponsored by the Newnan Police Department. The program typically serves more than 120 children annually.

Members of the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office team included front, from left, Shawn Searels, Christian Spinks, Toby Nix and Cathleen Seabrook; back, Chris Ricketson, Amy Hughes. Michael Yarbrough, Josh Gilbert, Jay Holloway, Daniel Smith, Jacob Black and Drew Fausett.

Funding for Christmas With A Cop also comes from the annual golf tournament and the upcoming car show hosted by NPD.

Participants in Christmas With A Cop are given $250 to spend on anything they want. However, a bike would typically use up the entire amount.

Reasor said the Department of Corrections wanted to make sure any child who wanted to purchase a bike could get one without using up their allowance.

Newnan Police Department Sgt. Edward Lee oversees the Christmas With a Cop program, and he said the bike giveaway and ongoing partnership with the Department of Corrections is much appreciated.

The bikes will be purchased by the DOC, assembled by inmates, and then hidden during the Christmas With a Cop program.

“If a child wants to buy a bike, we stop them, tell the warden and then show them the bikes,” Lee said.

Fayette County Sheriff’s Office slugger Trevor Green shows off his trophy after winning the Battle of the First Responders Home Run Derby with seven home runs.

Applications for Christmas With a Cop are expected to open at the end of the month after the conclusion of the car show, which is scheduled for Oct. 21 at the Coweta County Fairgrounds.