National Association of Counties * Washington, D.C.      Vol. 33, No. 23 * December 10, 2001

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Counties soothe communities’
turmoil with creativity

By Stacey Kennedy
editorial assistant

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Photo courtesy of Harrison County, Miss.

On Nov. 10, the county supervisors and city officials of Harrison, Hancock, Stone and Jackson counties, Miss, hosted a “God and Country Candlelight Tribute” to the Sept. 11 victims and their families. The event, which attracted approximately 800 attendees, featured among other activities, local choirs such as the Gulf Coast Youth Choir choir pictured here.

Bicycle marathons, concert performances, massive art projects replicating the American flag, fundraisers for charity — the projects undertaken by the Honor Roll counties to aid and celebrate America in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks, were as diverse and varied as the nation itself. The following is a small sample of those projects, all designed to restore a sense of community and humanity in counties across the country.

Funding recovery efforts
A fundraising event consisting of several Georgia counties, including Richmond, Columbia, McDuffle, Burke, and two counties in South Carolina (Aiken and Edgefield) raised more than $1.1 million dollars for charity. The community effort was sparked by advertisements through local radio and television. Citizens were able to make donations through their local banks and their respective mayor’s office. With approximately 10 percent of the funds donated by area firefighters, Augusta-Richmond County, Ga. Mayor Bob Young presented the donor’s check to New York City Mayor Rudolph Guliani in support of the Twin Towers Fund.

Innovations in information
Days after the attacks, the country awaited word of what was to come. As President George W. Bush called on service men and women, Vanderburgh County, Ind. honored those called to duty. Through the county auditor’s office, a Web site was created which featured relatives of county employees who would be serving in the military. Accessible to employees, the site included photos and stats of each officer, along with brief explanations of each branch of the military and its purpose within the scope of the United States Armed Forces.

Creative initiatives
“Cycling for America” drew upon the athletic and humanitarian efforts of Rockdale County, Ga. firefighters under the direction of their Battalion Chief, Walter Ellison. The 11-day journey took the riders across 1,049 miles, from Forsyth, Ga. to New York City, with pit stops in Richmond, Va., Washington, D.C., Trenton, N.J., Philadelphia, and Newark, N.J. With assistance from 93 other fire departments, the riders (approximately 110) ranged in ages from 19 to 75 years of age.

Prior to the trip, Rockdale County firefighters collected $159,000, which was donated to relief efforts. Also presented to New York rescue workers were gloves and socks collected and donated by a local Kiwanis Camping Group.

In a week’s time, citizens of Wilkinson County, Ga., donated enough emergency supplies to fill an 18-wheeler truck. The truck, donated by a local trucking company, furnished supplies to rescue workers at ground zero in New York City. Local television and media outlets spread the word of efforts being made to collect first aid kits, baby wipes, boots, masks and other materials considered useful for rescue workers by the Salvation Army. Local churches and schools also took part in collecting for the New York City relief workers.

The Oakland County (Calif.) Casual Day Fund, was developed for county employees who donate $1 each Friday to dress casually. At the end of the year, all proceeds go to charity. In light of the Sept. 11th events, the county donated $10,000 (money accumulated from January through September) to the Fallen Heroes Fund. A one-day $5 Casual Day was also held which helped officials raise an additional $8,000 for the charity.

In Allegan County, Mich., the maintenance staff of the Allegan County facilities management department created a 260-foot long, 156-foot tall replica of the American flag. Each stripe was 12 feet tall and the field of blue, 113 feet long by 84 feet high. The flag, almost one acre in size, is twice the size of a football field. With each star approximately 9 feet wide, the flag project took 16 hours and approximately 55 gallons of paint.

Bumper stickers were all the rage in Culpeper County, Va. The county, in conjunction with The Culpeper Star-Exponent, produced a commemorative red, white and blue bumper sticker adorned with a bald eagle, star and the words, “Don’t Tread on Us.” The sticker was produced and distributed inside one edition of each newspaper.

Rallying behind the country
Attended by more than 7,000 people, Our Community, Our Country was a rally in honor all those whose story would indelibly become a patch on the American quilt. Presented by Jefferson Parish, La., the event was held at the open-air Zephyr Stadium in Metairie, La. The gathering included performances by a local arts society as well as performances of patriotic music by members of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra.

Collection barrels were located throughout the stadium as event-goers were given the option of which relief charity they wished to donate. T-shirts displaying the American flag were on sale and all proceeds were also donated to charities.

Through donations of time, resources, and creativity, counties have taken the initiative to spearhead charitable efforts which enabled all Americans to triumph and provide a buffer to those who needed it most.