Law enforcement officers set aside their official duties last night and took on the responsibilities of servers at Jack’s Place in Jasonville to help raise money for Project Lifesaver, an organization geared to benefit those suffering from Alzheimer’s, dementia, Down syndrome, and other cognitive conditions. 

The officers, jailers, 911 dispatchers, and representatives from community corrections waited tables for the event and all tips were donated to Project Lifesaver. At the night's end, the group raised $3,000.36 through tips and sponsorships. 

Sponsors for the event included 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. 

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.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to the project can still do so. 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.