Next Thursday, Nov. 4, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., local law enforcement officers will pull out their best serving skills white waiting tables at JoEtta’s Pizza Villa in Linton and Pizza Villa II in Jasonville. Tips received by customers they serve will go to Greene County Project Lifesaver.

“This fundraiser is important to the Greene County Sheriff’s Department because we want to continue to provide this service to our clients at no cost. These families already have more of a financial burden to deal with due their loved one’s cognitive disability than most families,” said Greene County Sheriff’s Department (GCSD) Major George Dallaire. “The fact we can provide this service free of charge just helps them a little, and some may not be able to afford this potentially lifesaving service if there was a cost to them.”

Project Lifesaver is a community based, public safety, non-profit organization that provides law enforcement, fire/rescue, and caregivers with a program designed to protect, and when necessary, quickly locate individuals with cognitive disorders who are prone to the life-threatening behavior of wandering.

Those utilizing Project Lifesaver wear a small transmitter on their wrist or ankle that emits an individualized frequency signal. If that person would go missing, the caregiver notifies their local Project Lifesaver agency, which would be the Greene County Sheriff’s Department. Trained individuals would then use the individual’s frequency signal to locate them.

“This program benefits a small section of our community, but they are some of the most vulnerable. For me and many who donate, it is the fact you know you are doing something to help others in your community,” Dallaire said.

Officers scheduled to participate at JoEtta’s in Linton are Dallaire, Bloomfield Town Marshal Kenny Tharp, GCSD Deputy Terry Wade, and Greene County Jail Officers Antony Nelson and Steve Dobson.

Those scheduled at Pizza Villa II in Jasonville are Greene County Sheriff Mike Hasler, Worthington Town Marshal Jim O’Malley, Jasonville Police Chief Ryan VanHorn, JPD Officer Andrew Duguay, WPD Deputy Marshal Ryan Montgomery and Brian Woodall from the Greene County General Hospital Security Department.

“This is a great time to come meet some of your local law enforcement and contribute to a worthy cause,” Dallaire said. “This program gives the client’s families a little peace of mind knowing there is a plan if the client wanders off.”

In 2019, the event raised $2,030. The fundraiser was put on hold in 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns.

“These donations allow us to purchase batteries, wrist bands, and replace or add additional transmitters,” Dallaire said, noting the annual operating cost for Project Lifesaver is $2,000.