End of Watch Memorial Run and Jay Pro Rodeo get town’s help
The Jay council approved Monday night to donate monies to two different non-profit events that benefit local law enforcement and Jay area youth and the use of the town's new bleachers for a non-profit event.
Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Deputy Caleb Cook requested a donation from the town for the second annual End of Watch Memorial Run, which commemorates and helps law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty and their families with financial assistance.
The run will begin in Milton at 8 a.m., Thursday, May 16, make a loop around the county, have a team transition in Jay around 2 p.m. Friday, May 17, then continue to Bear Lake and end up back in Milton on Sunday, May 18.
Each runner carries one pound of weight and runs one mile for each officer who died. Last year, the event raised $10,000 and was 134 miles. This year, it will be 150 miles, Cook said.
“The point of this is to raise funds for the First Judicial Circuit Law Enforcement Association, to financially assist deputies injured or killed in the line of duty, the families that are left behind and any deputies or officers who find themselves in a financial time of need,” said Cook, “We're trying to take care of them so they can continue taking care of my co-workers.”
Cook said they need athletes to run and sponsors to help cover expenses as well as to donate to raise the money.
Jay Mayor Shon Owens suggested hosting the run's transition event in the downtown Commerce Street area instead of town hall, which council members were on board for.
“Our business owners have been working very hard to publicize what we've been doing downtown and if we could find a way to have a transition downtown, we could turn it into a little bit bigger event to help support that,” said Owens. “It's certainly something to think about.”
Owens made a motion to donate $250, which was seconded by Councilman Josh Holloway, and the motion carried.
Next, Frederick Barrow requested a donation from the town to the 18th Annual Jay Pro Rodeo, a non-profit event that benefits local schools, sports leagues, charities and surrounding communities.
The rodeo will be at 8 p.m. Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27, at Ted May Arena on Highway 4 and feature pro bull riding, saddle broncs, calf and team roping and other events.
Barrow said the rodeo helped several groups financially last year, including the football team with $2,000 for concussion equipment last year, the baseball team with $2,000 for jerseys and $1,750 toward batting cages, the drama club supplies for the play scenery, scholarships, benevolence, my Father's Arrows, and many other needs that come up through the year.
“The rodeo helps in so many ways,” said Barrow. “We put on the rodeo to raise money to help the kids in our area in every way we can. We just ask for your support.”
The council donated $500 for 16 years and $250 last year. Barrow explained that a grant has allowed the rodeo to have new banners made for the sponsors, which will be placed around the arena at the rodeo.
“If the money's available, I'd like to see us go back to the $500 level,” said Councilwoman Nina Hendricks.
Hendricks made a motion to donate $500 this year, which was seconded by Owens and the motion carried.
Barrow also asked the council if the new bleachers could be utilized at the arena for the rodeo and in a motion made by Hendricks and seconded by Owens, the council approved his request.
