Sean C. Morgan
Sweet Home Police Department Community Services Specialist Gina Riley interrupted lunch at The Point Restaurant Thursday afternoon to present a Public Service Award to Mike Hall, the owner of the restaurant.
Hall is the first civilian to receive the award. Carol Ann Salsbury, a dispatcher who retired earlier this year after about 30 years with the department, was the first to receive the award, a certificate and a “challenge coin.”
“We started talking about civilians,” Riley said. “The first one brought up was Mike. It was really easy to figure out whom to give it to.”
Hall assisted the department with its “Steakout” fund-raising event, but that isn’t the only reason, Riley said. He is involved with much more, supporting the nonprofit Little Promises Daycare recently during its annual auction. He also serves on the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
He is an active member of the community, she said.
“I’m very honored,” Hall said. “I just believe being part of this community, it’s our duty as local business owners to support our local community.”
The Police Department hasn’t had a way to really recognize people for the little things they do, Riley said. This is a way to do that.
“I can’t remember a time I’ve ever needed anything from Mike that he’s said no,” Riley said. When she mentioned the Steakout, “he was just all over it.”
Hall made it happen, and his staff at The Point tolerated police officers while they served for about four hours on Oct. 16, Riley said.
The program included a “whodunnit” scenario involving restaurant patrons, along with a drawing.
The department took in more than $1,200, which is being used to fund children’s programs, including a new Sharing Tree and the “Wrap with a Cop” program.
Department personnel saw a need, and in coordination with the Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District, put up another, different Sharing Tree, Riley said. The new tree doesn’t double up on what SHFAD is doing.
The Police Department tree isn’t as large and it targets families with children older than 12 and families just on the edge of qualifying, because of income, for the SHFAD tree, she said. Those families probably won’t apply, and the Police Department encourages them to apply for its program.
The police program has 14 families signed up, Riley said. Like the traditional fire department tree, people can take a name from the tree and shop for Christmas gifts for a child. The department will use funds it has raised through the Steakout to purchase gifts as well. Someone will shop for all of the children with stars on the tree.
The department will chauffeur a special Santa to deliver the presents, Riley said.
It’s another way to create a liaison between the department and children who might see police officers in a different light, Riley said.
For information about either Sharing Tree, call the Police Department at (541) 367-5181 or SHFAD at (541) 367-5882.