Because of a budget dispute between Quorum Court members and Jefferson County Judge Gerald Robinson, more than 300 county workers haven’t been paid for weeks, their insurance is on the verge of being canceled and their unpaid bills are piling up.
This realization was the inspiration behind Wednesday’s Call To Action luncheon and food and product giveaway of the Central Arkansas nonprofit Heroes Behind the Line, said organizer Travis Browning. The event was held in White Hall.
The group’s motto is “Be the hero…”
Browning is a full-time sheriff’s deputy and a veteran, and he’s also the founder and director of the all-volunteer service group made up of first responders, including law enforcement, emergency medical service personnel and firefighters.
The organization was founded to provide help to first responders and veterans with post traumatic stress disorder and other work-related stresses.
For many Heroes Behind the Line members, it was personal.
“Many of our members have worked in Jefferson County or in Pine Bluff, and others have family who work there,” Browning said. “First responders are already dealing with a stressful job, and now they have to worry about feeding their families.”
So last Thursday, Browning and other members decided, “We’ve got to do something,” and decided to host the luncheon and giveaway, Browning said.
They put a plea out on social media, but “not much happened until Monday” when county officials couldn’t settle their budget dispute.
Offers of help started pouring in, and Browning said, “Heroes don’t always wear a cape.”
Countless individuals, businesses, churches and other groups stepped up prior to the Wednesday event.
Groups brought giveaways like food, cleaning supplies and personal products that county employees could take home after they ate.
“It was pretty amazing,” Browning said.
It was a must-do for Robinson & Fuller White Hall Funeral Chapel.
Matt Mosler, pastor of the New Life Apostolic Church in White Hall, was instrumental in helping Scott Robinson, his wife Amber and his partner Chuck Fuller decide what they could do.
Robinson said, “Many were already feeding them, so we wanted to do something different,” so they prepared about 20 gift baskets with cleaning supplies in about two days.
“We’re not taking sides (in the dispute). Going weeks without a paycheck is a devastating situation. We wanted to help and show them that we cared,” he said.
The funeral home on Dollarway Road, along with Midtown Tire & Auto on Fifth Avenue in Pine Bluff, served as donation drop-off points.
THE LUNCHEON
Held at the White Hall Community Center with countless volunteers, the luncheon was aided by The Wood Shed BBQ, feeding almost 200 Jefferson County employees.
The White Hall barbecue place on Highway 270 brought enough to feed about 350, and Bryan Atwood was one of the heroes to step up, Browning said.
The leftover food was taken to first responders, who were still on duty, he said.
“We just partnered with Heroes Behind The Line and give them a discounted price for the food because we wanted to help,” said Atwood. “No need for any special recognition…that’s just what people should do when people are hurting. We have been blessed at the Wood Shed and choose to pass that blessing on when given the opportunity.”
Many of White Hall’s firefighters and law enforcement officers have friends and family working for the county. There are times when the city relies on the county for first responder services.
White Hall Mayor Noel Foster said, “We wanted to help.”
The city-owned White Hall Community Center on Dollarway Road offered the usage of its facility and support staff at no charge.
Jamie Buffkin, the center’s director and a woman of faith, said, “It was a very positive atmosphere. Everyone was so gracious and so humble. It was emotional, and we were thankful to be a part of it.”
Travis said a number of food pantries and Central Arkansas churches stepped up, including ones in Pine Bluff and White Hall.
All day Wednesday, Travis said the donations continued to pour into the community center.
THE FELLOWSHIP
The luncheon was more than food; it allowed employees to gather, talk and share their individual circumstances and hardships.
It was also a way for the community to rally around its employees and show that they care and for Heroes Behind the Line to offer mental health counseling, which is their specialty.
They also invited utility companies willing to work with their Jefferson County customers who couldn’t pay their bills because of the layoff.
But Browning said the county employees are still in need and encourages everyone to donate food or money to the cause.
He said to contact his group for those who have special needs, such as a particular baby formula.
The White Hall Community Center will continue to collect and hand out food and other items.
Foster said, “I want to personally thank the organizers and sponsors for hosting this event together.”
“A lot of heroes stepped up,” Browning said.
For more information on how to help, go to the Heroes Behind the Line’s Facebook page or call (501) 301-4295.
Heroes Behind the Line delivered supplies for Wednesday’s luncheon and giveaway. (Special to The Commercial/Heroes Behind the Line)
Supplies kept arriving on Wednesday. (Special to The Commercial/White Hall Community Center)