BY MELISSA PYLE
Special to the Telegraph
Imagine being in a crisis situation, being afraid, and confused. This can happen to adults, even young children in our community who are thrust into a set of circumstances they did not create and find themselves at the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office.
Now imagine, in that same moment, being greeted by a motherly, often grandmotherly face. Fears are subdued, toys are given, kind words exchanged. This is just one of the wonderful services celebrated at the Bradford County Auxiliary, also known as the “Pink Ladies,” annual banquet on July 9 at the Women’s Club of Starke.
Sheriff Gordon Smith explained their contributions to the community well in his opening comments at this year’s banquet when he said, “They are like a motherly figure to us … provide a friendly presence. The Pink Ladies help reduce the anxiety and stress associated with a visit to the sheriff’s office, not only for victims but also their families.”
Another service the organization provides, but is mostly unknown, is wellness checks. These checks are a free service to anyone who would like to sign themselves or a loved one up for daily calls. If a person does not answer the daily call, a deputy is sent to check on the resident. This service has saved the lives of people who otherwise would have gone for days without help after a fall or injury. Residents are encouraged to sign up by calling the sheriff’s office.
The auxiliary also offers an endowment scholarship with Santa Fe College and the banquet was an opportunity to recognize this year’s recipient, Shelby Burkhalter. Burkhalter was also last year’s recipient and is in the process of completing her nursing degree by December. Burkhalter thanked the group for providing this scholarship and said, “I wouldn’t be able to do any of it without the financial support of the scholarship.” Burkhalter said it is helping her move towards her future goal of becoming a flight nurse.
The annual banquet provides a time to recognize the hours of service each member has contributed, the fundraising efforts, and donations made to local fire, rescue, and law enforcement agencies. The combined hours of volunteer service was said to be over 3,400 hours. The annual fair fundraiser raised $6,800. President Linda Johns thanked all the volunteers who helped prepare the food at this year’s fair fundraiser, many of whom were local officials and law enforcement officers.
Johns explained that funds raised helped to purchase life saving devices such as jump kits and tourniquets. The most recent donation will be first aid kits to the Lawtey Police Department for all their road vehicles..
The banquet concluded with the officers for 2024 being sworn in by Sheriff Smith, promising to uphold and honor the Pink Ladies Auxiliary Code. The positions were named as follows: President Linda Johns, First Vice President Charlotte Williams, Second Vice President Loretta Edwards, Recording Secretary Virginia Lindsey, Correspondence Secretary Gertrude Griffis, and Treasurer Linda Hildebran,
Johns encouraged attendees to spread the word about the program and especially its need for new volunteers. The volunteers are a vital part of the Bradford community. Anyone interested in volunteering for any amount of time can contact the sheriff’s office to fill out an application form or call Johns directly at 904-263-0399.
