ROCKINGHAM — Several Richmond County businesses honored the “boys in blue” for Law Enforcement Appreciation Day on Thursday.
Evolution Health Club offered free energy drinks to officers as “a small token of our appreciation for keeping our community a safe place,” according to owner Blake Altman.
By 6:30, Altman said the downtown gym had given out 24 drinks to police officers from both department’s, deputies from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and troopers with the N.C. State Highway Patrol, but added that it was still early.
Godfather’s Pizza offered a discounted lunch buffet for $5 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“Unfortunately, we didn’t have any law enforcement come in for buffet, but we will definitely do this discount again soon,” said Crew Supervisor Kaylnn Leviner. “We want them to know how much we appreciate all they do.”
The Grille owner Marsha Reynolds went one step further.
Reynolds offered a free lunch combo to all law enforcement officers.
She said about 25 officers — including those from the Rockingham Police Department, deputies, as well as correctional officers — had taken her up on the deal by 6 p.m., with two hours left to go.
Even the county’s top lawman, Sheriff James Clemmons, stopped by Thursday evening.
Godfather’s offers a 15% discount to all first responders each Tuesday and law enforcement and other first responders are among those eligible for membership discounts at Evolution.
The Hamlet Senior Center provided a free breakfast for the Hamlet Police Department, which included biscuits, orange juice and coffee.
County Tourism Director Meghann Lambeth also made a slideshow with photos from all three county agencies and posted it to the Visit Richmond County Facebook page.
According to nationalcalendarday.com: “Several organizations came together to create National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day in 2015 to thank officers across the country for all the daily sacrifices they make for their communities.”
National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day is celebrated each Jan. 9.
