The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office Auxiliary Unit has now got their website functional. You can check there for ongoing events, what they’re planning, how you can help and contact them. On the calendar tab a list of when and where the gator that’s being raffled will be appearing is included so you can make plans to see the gator in person.

Check out the website at:

Get out there and get involved!
A seed of loyalty watered with showers of appreciation and fed by community is what got the Pickens Sheriff’s Office Auxiliary Unit going. President Ray Jackson saw a need and fostered it through to its current status – an arm of relief for those who serve to protect us.

The mission statement of the group further defines their role in Pickens County:

“To support PCSO (Pickens County Sheriff’s Office) and it’s employees in sickness and hardships and through these employees we support the citizens of Pickens County during disasters.”

There are lots of opportunities for our civic-minded community to give back but few as community-wide embracing as that of the Auxiliary Unit. In their efforts to assist PCSO by helping financially, with medical needs, hardships, sickness and obtaining safety equipment, they are nurturing the community by relieving some burdens those public servants carry. By doing so, PCSO is able to better focus on their job-related duties thus bringing a higher level of service to citizens.

The 30-member strong group got its start three years ago when Jackson and Sheriff Donnie Craig put their heads together. Craig says when he took office in 2009 it was right after the tornado that struck the western part of the county. That incident gave rise to a concern about where people would go in a disaster and how they’d be cared for until they were able to get back on their feet.

Craig said,

“Many people have said that’s not my concern but it’s my responsibility as an elected official.”

Jackson and his initial members started out with a yard sale which brought in more than $1000 and instituted a quarterly dinner for PCSO. Since then they’ve made themselves available for public events taking roles such as parking attendants, garbage crews and various other duties that would be paid to other entities otherwise. Why not offer themselves and garner that income for the necessities of the department?

But it doesn’t stop there. As needs have been recognized the group has continued to expand their scope of operations from solely focusing on department needs to further aid the community by taking the helm of emergency shelter operations, seeing Craig’s concern for emergency response to fruition. Through their vision and execution of that vision, Deb and Glen Galloway, auxiliary members, have spearheaded the shelter. They have established rules, regulations, chains of command for efficiency and even gained attention of the American Red Cross.

Because they used Red Cross policy as a basis for their ideas the organization has provided training for auxiliary members and has agreed to allow the shelter to operate independently until it exceeds local capability at which time they can be contacted to step in to assist and take on the financial responsibility from that point until it is passed back into local hands. As this idea has developed the Red Cross has indicated should this endeavor of mutual aid prove successful they will use the Pickens Auxiliary success as a model for other communities.

Jackson said this support goes back to the deputies and employees of the sheriff’s office.

“It takes a special person, it takes dedication, a sacrifice of time, to help people that are protecting you. So it’s our motto ‘to serve those who serve’.”

They are seeking their charitable organization 501(c)(3) status but while the wheels of government move slowly, they forge ahead. They’ve been around three years now and 100 percent of their profits go to the sheriff’s department and shelter operations. They do realize the benefits of achieving that charitable status in that many people want to donate but without it being tax deductible it’s a hindrance.

While seeking that status they continue to ramp up their presence. The group is hoping their website will be operational by March 9 and they’re also preparing for a giveaway that should stop people in their tracks.

September 6 at JeepFest will provide an opportunity for those in our community to play their lucky hands in the auxiliary’s latest undertaking: a raffle for a 2014 Gator. More specifically, a John Deere 4 wheel drive XUV 625i with a custom-built trailer. Tickets will be $20 and only 1500 will be sold, keeping the chances of winning higher. Both pieces are worth more than $13,000.

In the event those 1500 tickets are sold the auxiliary has plans to buy another Gator and trailer to open up a second raffle. But have no fear, that first raffle will be separate so if indeed they do acquire a second unit your chances of success will not be diminished. These proceeds have been specifically allocated for tasers and bullet-proof vests for deputies, a worthwhile cause that the members hope can be achieved as the county seeks to keep budget costs lowered. So by purchasing a ticket you’re not only helping support your deputies in their jobs, you’re also helping keep your taxes and millage rates minimal.

You may view the Gator and trailer outside the PCSO office at this time and at various events throughout the spring and summer. The raffle will open April 6 but once the auxiliary website is operational, you can view a calendar of events where the tickets will be sold and the vehicle will be displayed throughout the raffle period.

Of course Sheriff Craig is excited about the possibility of updated equipment for his department but he’s also humbly thankful for the effort the group makes on their behalf.

“We have yet to have a need from the office or the community that hasn’t been met by them,”

he reported.

For more information about the auxiliary or for raffle tickets you may contact President Ray Jackson at the sheriff’s office, 706-253-8900, or through email: [email protected].