Local emergency responders benefit fom Fred's fundraiser

Those on hand for the check presentation ceremony at the local Fred's store Tuesday included, from left--Piggott Fire Chief Bradley Scheffler, store employee Lisa McComb, store manager Pamela Fry and Piggott Police Chief Bill Alstadt. (Times photo/Tim Blair) [Click to enlarge]

Thanks to the efforts of the staff of the local Fred's store, checks were presented to both the Piggott police and fire departments Tuesday morning. The money was generated by the Fred's "Hero Hats" and 9/11 operating profits donations in an effort to give back to our local heroes.

In a check presentation ceremony at the local store, Piggott police chief Bill Alstadt and fire chief Bradley Scheffler accepted checks for their departments in the amount of $490.95 each.

"Each year since 2002, Fred's has commemorated the fallen heroes of 9/11 through a fundraiser for the first responders that serve each store location," local store manager Pamela Fry noted. "The campaign was a big success again this year, with Fred's donating over $314,800 chain-wide."

The money was generated by the sales of "Hero Hats" by employees, which were then hung in the window in support of local emergency response teams. The program also benefited from all operating profits from store sales on Sept. 11.

"Deanna Robinson, a cashier at our store, really got behind the effort and did a great job," Fry added. "This year's donation is over twice as much as last year and she really played a big part in making this effort a success."

Since the program began, Fred's has raised and donated more than $1.6 million for local fire, police and sheriff's departments.

"We sure appreciate this -- we'll be using these funds to help with our D.A.R.E. program in the local schools," Alstadt said of the donation. "We're looking at some additional training for our firefighters, and this will likely be used to pay for that," Scheffler added.

"This is our way each year of saying thank you to the men and women who put their lives at risk every day to protect our lives and property," a company spokesman noted. "We hope the emergency teams found it rewarding to pass by a store and see all those "Hero Hats" hanging in the window in their honor."

Fred's operates 669 discount general merchandise stores, including 24 Fred's franchised stores, as of Jan. 1. Those wanting more information about the company may visit the website at www.fredsinc.com