Blue Thanksgiving was proud to once again be a part of the Cobb Public Safety Forum on March 16 at the Cobb County Department of Public Safety Training Center.  Everyone in attendance including the public safety officers and representatives were treated to a cookout of hamburgers and hotdogs, bringing the total number of meals we provided with the active shooter training event to approximately 1400!  Multiple public safety agencies came together for this day of community education and relationship building.  Topics covered included community trust, active shooter response, emerging technology, gun safety, community engagement and teen talk.  To view photos of this event, please be sure to visit our Gallery page!

According to FEMA, An "active shooter" is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and other populated area. In most cases, active shooters use firearms and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims. Active shooter situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly. 
While first responders are regularly placed in situations where there is fear, tension and vulnerability, recent active shooter incidents have underscored the need for a coordinated response by law enforcement and others for additional training.  Cobb County has met that challenge by providing the training needed to ensure that people survive and get the best medical care on the scene and in transit, during an active shooter event.
Every year first responders in Cobb County come together for Active Shooter Training and once again, Blue Thanksgiving Inc. was involved in providing meals for everyone involved including Fire, EMTs, Law Enforcement, Role-players/Actors, Command Staff, Training personnel and others.  Over the course of six days, we were proud to provide lunch to approximately 1200 people involved in this training.  Hamburgers and hotdogs were grilled and provided along with chips, cookies and bottled water to all present.  
We would like to thank Publix in Kennesaw for their support, those who donated to help cover costs for this event, and the folks at ServeComm for the use of their catering trailer where we prepared, grilled and were able to produce these meals.  
For additional photos of this event, please visit our Gallery page!

​Every year across our country, law enforcement officers who can no longer bear the incredible weight of the badge, choose to take their own lives.  Families feel the pressure as well, and last year the divorce rate among law enforcement officers was at a staggering 65%.  Walking the "blue line" is a balancing act and while we cannot help these officer un-see the horrible things they all too often face, we can let them know that we care and offer support.  With the "Balancing the Blue Line" campaign, we hope to provide resources in the form of assistance with funding for professional counseling to officers who are struggling, seminars where officers and their spouses can receive counseling on relationships and marriage, financial and legal advise from professionals, and spiritual guidance from chaplains or clergy and more.  Events focusing on the family and building strong support systems among fellow officers will also be an important part of this program.  
While this program will start small, we hope to expand to reach and level of support as we continue to grow.  Please consider donating to help grow this program and watch our "What's Happening" page at www.bluethanksgiving.com for updates on this program as well as other campaign, projects and outreach events taking place.   
​For information on this campaign and to donate, visit https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MjAzMDMy

This year's gala was nothing short of an incredible evening.  Anyone that attended will tell you that it was beautiful, the music was great, the dinner was amazing and the auctions were impressive.  The evening of December 14, 2023 at the Governor's Gun Club in Kennesaw brought together approximately 440 law enforcement officers and their dates, sponsors, donors, and supporters.  Included in the evening's festivities were a step and repeat photo opportunity, a Tito's Vodka bar (as well as two others serving a variety of adult beverages), a photo booth, a 10 piece live band, a silent auction with 140 items up for bid and a live auction that included several firearms, jewelry, a private catered dinner party with Chef Larry, and more.  And speaking of Chef Larry; the dinner served was absolutely delicious.  The catering team at Governor's outdid themselves under the leadership of their chef.  Prime rib and parmesan crusted grouper were just two of the awesome dishes prepared to perfection.  The 293 Band were wonderful and guests couldn't help but get on the dance floor.  Santa Claus made an appearance and so did "Raphie" from A Christmas Story, complete with bunny suit and a Red Rider BB Gun (that sold on the live auction for $300.00!)  Officers received Christmas gifts and everyone enjoyed a variety of  "Bundtlets" from our sponsor, Nothing Bundt Cakes in Kennesaw. 
We would like to thank all our sponsors, donors, board members and volunteers who made this year's gala a success.  We have already scheduled next year's gala for December 6th at the Governor's Gun Club in Kennesaw and planning will begin again in January.  If you missed this year's gala, make sure you get your tickets early once they become available.  We will announce when ticket and sponsorship sales open here on our "what's happening" page, as well as on social media.  This event will sell out, so please book your seats early.  
We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

If you listened in to the "Black Your Blue" show on XTRA104 November 18th with A 2nd Chance Bail Bonds CEO Daniel Matalon and host Tug Cowart, you heard Blue Thanksgiving President, Kim Peace Hill and Director, Barbie Brown talking about all the things we're doing and what we have coming in 2024.  You may be wondering how you can donate to (or become a sponsor for ) our Blue Family Christmas campaign, or bid on silent auctions that are going be available.  If you're interested in a sponsorship, please reach out to us at 770-419-4027 or at [email protected].  If you would like information on the silent auction and how you can bid on everything from designer handbags and luxury products to sports memorabilia and trips abroad, go to https://bluethanksgiving.home.qtego.net.  Bidding will open on December 5th and close the night of the gala on December 14 at 9:45.  You will need to register your phone number to bid, and if you should win, all items must be picked up at the gala that night before 11pm.  

Officer Kurt Hudson began his career with Cobb County PD in 2017 and has been at Precinct 2 since graduating from the police academy. He is currently a Field Training Officer with a passion for sharing his knowledge of the requirements of the job with others. He not only works hard as a police officer, he also works a part time job three nights a week. Ordinarily, when he's not working, you will find him at the gym, or spending time with his girlfriend, Haley, or with his family.
In August, Kurt was diagnosed with testicular cancer. He had surgery later that same month and he has been in cancer treatment at City of Hope in Newnan, for the past several months. Unfortunately it was determined that the cancer had spread to his lungs, spleen and lymph nodes. As a result it was necessary to put a stint in his kidney to allow it to drain properly. Even though the cancer had spread, it is still classified as testicular cancer, which is 99% treatable.
Kurt has completed two of the four cycles of chemo and, although he has had some setbacks, overall he is responding extremely well to the treatment. Altogether, he has been out of work since late August; however, doctors are hopeful he will be able to return to work by mid-January. As a result, Kurt remains optimistic and upbeat about his future.
Please consider a tax deductible donation to help this officer and the others we are sponsoring this year at https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MTc2Mzc1

​Officer Kieon Winston started his career with the Cobb County Police Department in 2013. He also served in the National Guard from 2012 through 2018. Officer Winston has worked in several precincts to include Precinct 2, Precinct 4, and Precinct 5. In 2021, he joined the Cobb County Police Motors unit where he spends most of his days enforcing traffic. Officer Winston enjoys participating in county events as well as volunteering his time to help with PAL (Police Athletic League). Officer Winston is also a mentor and offers support and guidance to troubled juveniles, helping direct them toward a right path in life, through a program operated by Juvenile Court.
On September 21st, 2023, officer Winston was riding his motorcycle off-duty and was involved in an accident, resulting in major injuries. He was transported to the hospital where it was discovered that his pelvis bone was broken/fractured on the left side and shifted upwards from its correct location. He also tore his meniscus, ACL and MCL. Officer Winston had surgery the same day of the accident for the pelvis and will still need surgery for his knee. Due to this incident and his major medical injuries, he has depleted all his available sick time and leave hours and is not expected to return to full-duty for a year.
Please help us show this hero that this community stands behind him and his family by making a tax deductible donation through our Blue Family Christmas Campaign

As the month draws to a close, we are reflecting on all the things we were able to accomplish with the help of volunteers, and funding from our supporters.  On October 3rd, we started the month by presenting a plaque and oil painting with lunch (courtesy of Zaxby's in Marietta) to the Cobb County Sheriff's Office K9 Unit and Deputy Anita Lucas-Dykstra in memory of K9 Athos who passed on July 18. It was a touching tribute and tears were shed for their loss.  
On October 9th we were proud to be a part of the "Faith and Blue" event in Austell and enjoyed cooking hotdogs and handing out drinks and chips to the many attendees there who came to enjoy meeting and learning more about our public safety officers and law enforcement.  We also purchased the grill used and donated to the Austell Police Department.
Finally, on October 21st, we were invited to join members of the Cobb Community Foundation and two other nonprofits at the Chattahoochee Nature Center where board members, Robin and (deputy Chief) Steve Kucynda, spoke to guests  about what we do and how families can be involved.
As we look forward to November, our focus is on ensuring all our on-duty officers in Cobb County receive a delicious Thanksgiving Day meal.  This massive project involves over 20 volunteers who help prepare, stage, load out and deliver over 400 meals in a matter of only five hours!  If you would like to help with the funding for this incredible day, we need your help!  Please go to our "Donate" page to make a tax deductible donation!  And check back next month for photos and the full story! 

Our 2023 Blue Family Christmas Campaign and Gala is already building and we would like to invite you to join with us as a sponsor or guest at this year's gala.  We are offering a variety of sponsorship options with many benefits included.  We also have table and seats available for reservation and by clicking the link below, you can learn more about how to secure your sponsorship, table or seat at this incredible event.  So don't miss out!  The date is December 14 and the location is the Governor's Gun Club.  The evening will be festive, and the cause is great.  While this beautiful evening offers supporters the opportunity to celebrate the holidays with local law enforcement officers from various agencies in Cobb, we will also be raising money to help officers in need due to severe medical diagnosis.  A portion of the funds raised will also be used to help fund our new campaign coming in 2024, that will address the need for mental health and wellness resources for our officers.  (More info to come on that campaign, later)
Reservations and sponsorship information is available at:
Our Event Website