A unique fundraiser to help Project Lifesaver, an organization geared to benefit those suffering from Alzheimer’s, dementia, Down syndrome, and other cognitive conditions, will be held this Thursday, Nov. 2 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Jack’s Place, located at 270 East Main Street in Jasonville. 

Local law enforcement officers are teaming to raise funds to help support this program serving all of Greene County. All tips received during the evening will be donated to Greene County’s Project Lifesaver. 

Project Lifesaver was established in 1999 as an initiative of the 43rd Search and Rescue Company of the Chesapeake Sheriff’s Office. The primary mission of Project Lifesaver is to provide timely response to save lives and reduce potential injury for adults and children who wander due to Alzheimer’s, autism, and other related conditions or disorders. The task of searching for wandering or lost individuals with Alzheimer’s, autism, Down syndrome, dementia or other cognitive conditions is a growing and serious responsibility. Without effective procedures and equipment, searches can involve multiple agencies, hundreds of officers, countless man hours and thousands of dollars.

Through the program, participants are given a plastic holder with a vinyl band to be worn around the wrist or ankle. It’s waterproof and meant to be worn 24 hours per day. Locked inside, is a battery that emits a signal every second of every day. The signal is not audible to humans; however, each signal has a unique frequency and can be tracked on the ground within a mile and in the air over several miles until a missing individual is found.

“911 dispatchers take a large amount of calls of all different natures. When a call for a missing child or adult with a cognitive disorder comes in, the fear increases. The more time that passes, the higher increased risk. This program aids in locating these individuals quicker and helps bring them safely home,” explained event coordinator and Greene County Sheriff’s Department employee Kelly Portteus.  

Currently, the Greene County Sheriff’s Department has purchased the tracking the equipment and has trained personnel on how to use the equipment. This was made possible through donations. The department hopes to be able to offer this service free of charge to those who need the program by fundraising and seeking grant opportunities. 

“I fully believe that this program is well worth doing whatever we can to assist these families that are coping with these situations,” Portteus said. “Families can have some comfort in knowing that while the band does not prevent wandering, it does give them comfort knowing the program can help bring their loved one home.”

Sponsors for this year’s event include: Midwest Motors, Bill’s Auto, Casa SeVilla, Tieman Tires, Todd Stipp, DDS, Light House Custom Meats, Byers Home Furnishings, Crossroads Care, Shakamak Family Pharmacy, Briar Creek Kennels, Rash Home and Hardware, Linton Sporting Goods, Graves Plumbing, Pizza Villa, Eric Siepman, Jasonville City Council and Clerk-Treasurer, Larry Watters-Mayor of Jasonville, Greene County Courthouse Security, Greene County Prosecutor’s Office, GreeneStreets, Monical’s Pizza, China House, and LaMar’s. 

Donations for the program can be sent to: Project Lifesaver c/o Greene County Foundation, 4513 West State Road 54, Bloomfield, Ind., 47424. For more information, visit www.projectlifesaver.org.