Monday, June 5th was a very sad day for officer Caleb Neil and the entire Cobb law enforcement family. Blue Thanksgiving was at the Active Shooter Training at Alatoona High School preparing to feed officers, when the energetic and positive day came crashing down when we learned that K9 Chase could not be saved. Our hearts go out to officer Neil and his family who are grieving this loss.
Officer Neil and his wife, Samantha have both been a part of our Thanksgiving Day meal project and have helped deliver meals to on duty officers in Cobb with us each year. We consider them members of our Blue Thanksgiving family and are heartbroken for them. 
The story as posted on media outlets from the Cobb County Police Department read as follows:
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On June 5, 2023, K9 Chase passed away in the line of duty. Chase was a Belgian malinois born in Hungary on August 13, 2018. Chase began his career with the Cobb County Police Department in April 2020 with his handler K9 Officer Neill.
Chase was a dual-purpose K9 trained for narcotics detection, criminal apprehension, tracking, building searches, and evidence recovery. Chase seized thousands of dollars worth of illegal narcotics, with numerous arrests and apprehensions.
Chase was named after fallen Locust Grove Police Officer Chase Maddox, who died in the line of duty on February 9, 2018, just months before K9 Chase was born.
K9 Chase was in his kennel when the air conditioning system malfunctioned in Officer Neill’s patrol vehicle. Preliminary information indicates that other safety systems did not properly activate and the temperature quickly rose in the vehicle.
K9 Chase was found unresponsive in the patrol vehicle by K9 Officer Neill. Life-saving measures were started by Officer Neill, other Cobb Officers, and Cobb County Fire personnel (also attending the active shooter training); K9 Chase was then transported to a nearby emergency veterinarian clinic. But the efforts were not enough to save him, and he succumbed to his heat-related injuries.
K9 Chase was a beloved officer of the Cobb County Police Department and will forever be missed by us all.

This year Blue Thanksgiving was contacted about  feeding officers and other first responders attending the Active Shooter Training at Alatoona High School in Acworth.  After six days of training officers, firefighters, EMT's, School police and other first responders, we are proud to say that we successfully provided approximately 800 burgers, dogs, bags of chips and more to about as many first responders in attendance.  The food was good, and the attendees were grateful for the lunch they otherwise would not have received.  We thank all our sponsors, and supporters for your donations.  Without you, we couldn't do this type of work.  Your support is appreciated by the officers we serve and all of us!  And a huge "Thank You!" to the board members, volunteers and officers who helped cook the burgers and dogs, helped with set up, serving, and break down every day.  We look forward to being a part of this event again next year!  

The Cobb County Police Department Honor Guard will be making a trip to Washington, DC, for police week to honor the six Cobb County Police Officers whose names are forever carved on the Memorial of officers killed in the line of duty.
The Memorial features two curving, 304-foot-long blue-gray limestone walls. Carved on these walls are the names of more than 22,000 officers who died in the line of duty throughout U.S. history, dating back to the first known death in 1786.
Blue Thanksgiving, Inc., has created a campaign and is accepting donations. Please visit the link above if you would like to donate.
https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MTgyMDg1

In 2018, an active volunteer suggested we host a golf tournament to help raise funds for our Thanksgiving Day campaign.  At the time, we knew little about how to plan such an event and the thought of pulling something together that we knew so little about, was just too much to consider.  In December of 2022, a supporter approached us at a fundraiser for another nonprofit and introduced us to a well known golf individual who plans golf tournaments in the area for a number of non-profits.  After meeting with him, and discussing the details, we decided to move forward with our first annual golf tournament, and chose to take it to Brookstone Golf and Country Club with Monday, August 21st as the date.  Proceeds from this tournament will help to fund our Thanksgiving and Christmas campaigns.  Our Thanksgiving Day campaign focuses on providing traditional hot Thanksgiving Day meals to officers who are working the holiday.  This is a large undertaking and we expect to send out over 400 meals to officers, admin and 911 who will be working, while most of us will be spending time with our families.  The "Blue Family Christmas" gala offers officers and supporters an opportunity to celebrate the holidays together while raising funds that will help officers suffering with financial hardships due to catastrophic events, or life-altering medical diagnosis.  The golf tournament will benefit both of these projects and we hope you will come be a part, and show your support for the men and women who serve in law enforcement all over Cobb County.  For more information on the tournament, including sponsorship and how to register your team, please reach out to Bob Pierce at 678-467-4387 or email us at info@bluethanksgiving.com.  For information on sponsorships and tickets to the Blue Family Christmas gala in December, visit bluethanksgiving.home.qtego.net.  More information on the gala will come soon, so stay tuned! 
      Registration is open at ​https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MTc3NjY3

On March 25th, Cobb County did something they have never attempted.  Every agency in the county came together for a day of education and an opportunity to connect with the public.  Citizens were able to engage with the department leaders and discussed many topics, from policing to emerging technology and what they can do to help keep Cobb County one of the best places to live, work, and play.  All the city municipalities were represented, including police departments with Marietta, Smyrna, Powder Springs, Austell, Acworth, and Kennesaw.  Cobb Police and Sheriff's office were both there as were representatives with Cobb fire.  
Blue Thanksgiving was asked to facilitate lunch for all in attendance and we were proud to be a part of this incredible day of fun, fellowship and education.  Our own (Retired Chief) Tim Cox, (Deputy Chief) Steve Kucynda and Douglas Hill were busy tending the grill, while board members and volunteers assembled burgers and dogs.  Everyone in attendance enjoyed a great lunch outside under pavilions on this day filled with sunshine and mild temperatures.  We would like to thank the management at Publix on Cobb Parkway and Jiles Road in Kennesaw for their continued support and for their donation, which made this lunch possible.  If you missed this event, you'll want to be sure and attend the next one!  We look forward to next year's forum and hope that we will be again invited to be a part!

What an incredible evening was had by all who attended the 2022 Blue Family Christmas Gala at the Governor's Gun Club in Kennesaw on December 14th.  Officers and their companions were treated to a beautiful formal event filled with music, gifts, a fabulous dinner, a huge silent auction, Father Christmas, dancing and even a live auction.  Sponsors for this event included Governor's Gun Club, Tito's Vodka, Crane Elder Law Firm, Willis Family Chiropractic, Chris McEntire Heating and Air, The Stewart Team, Hello Fancy Media, West Cobb Family Dentistry, PeacePix, LLC, and a number of private individuals.  Donations from over 100 businesses and individuals including Glock, The Atlanta History Center, The Fox Theater, Chick-Fil-A, Texas Roadhouse, The Atlanta Braves, Mac's Chophouse, and many many others made up the silent and live auctions held that evening.  Nothing Bundt Cakes in Kennesaw donated beautiful and delicious "Bundlettes" for everyone, and the incredible group, "293 Band" outdid themselves with the music!  If you missed this event, you really want to make sure you are a part of the next one.  The date is set for December 13, 2023, and we are in early planning stages for the 2023 Blue Family Christmas Gala.  Once again, we will be raising money to help officers in need during the holidays and information on who the 2023 officers will be for this program will be announced when we are closer to the holidays.  This year, we sponsored five officers and were able to make a substantial contributions to each one, thanks to the success of the gala, and the generosity of our supporters.  We simply cannot say "Thank you!" enough!  So here's to everyone who made the 2022 Blue Family Christmas program and gala such a huge success, and wishing you a very happy, healthy and prosperous year!  See you at the gala in December!

If you attended the 2022 Blue Family Christmas gala and are looking to find photos you took with Father Christmas, friends, loved ones or just yourself, click the button below!  Each photo in the gallery can be reprinted from home, ordered in a variety of sizes and on a variety of papers, canvas or even gift items like mouse pads, tee-shirts and coffee mugs!  You may also save the digital copy, share to social media straight from the page or even email!  And any purchases of prints or other items with your photo booth images, will benefit Blue Thanksgiving, Inc.!  Have fun and be sure to share!  And for all the other photos taken at the event by guests, along with a video of the evening from one of our sponsors, Monica Farber and Hello Fancy Media, please visit back to this page soon, as more is yet to come!

The silent auction to benefit our five officers chosen for this year's Blue Family Christmas program is officially open for bidding!  There are many incredible items available to bid on, and you're sure to find something for everyone on your Christmas list!  To bid, you must register at qtego.net/qlink/bluethanksgiving and provide a cell phone, email and credit card.  Your card will only be charged, if/when you are the highest bidder, after the auction has closed at 9:30pm on December 14, 2022.  All bidding is done via computer or cell phone, and if you are outbid, you will receive a text alert notifying you, so that you have the option to bid again.  Please remember that all won items MUST be collected between 9:30pm and 10:00 on December 14, 2022 at the Governor's Gun Club, located at 1005 Cobb Place Blvd, Kennesaw, GA 30144.  Have fun and good luck!