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The Demopolis Citizen Public Safety Alumni Association (CPSAA) is hosting a food and toy drive until Nov. 15. Demopolis City Hall, the police department and the fire department are all collecting nonperishable food items and new or gently used toys, while U.S. Jones Elementary School is collecting nonperishable food items only.

Westside Elementary School is also collecting toys with the CPSAA, and their drive will last until Dec. 12. There is no specific age range for the toys.

According to CPSAA President Jennifer Weabon, the collected toys and food items will benefit families in need in the Demopolis area. She also said that they are collecting turkeys and cooked food items that can be frozen such as rolls, pies or dressing to provide for Thanksgiving.

“We want them to enjoy Thanksgiving and have a full meal,” Weabon said.

Two classes at U.S. Jones and WES will also each be treated to a pizza party if they collect the most items for their particular drive.

CPSAA members are also selling raffle tickets for $5 until Jan. 30 for one person and a guest to spend three days and two nights at Soggy Bottom Lodge. The days are the choice of the winner as long as they fall between the months of February and September.

The money raised will benefit the CPSAA Scholarship Fund, a new addition to the mission of CPSAA and one that Weabon credits Director of Public Safety Tommie Reese with.

“He came up with the idea in January of 2018 … and now we’re actually getting it off the ground and developing it,” she said.

One scholarship will benefit any Demopolis High School senior and another will benefit a DHS senior who is the child of a member of the police or fire department. Weabon said that while no official scholarship amount has been determined, the goal is to provide $1,000 for each student for any university or career technical program.

Though she’s only been president since August, Weabon has been working hard to increase CPSAA’s community involvement and outreach.

In addition to the toy and food drive and the raffle, CPSAA is hosting Storytime at the Demopolis Public Library on Nov. 28 at 10 a.m. and a First Responders Ball at the Demopolis Civic Center on Feb. 9 at 6 p.m. Celebrations are also planned for National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day 2019 and further details will be available soon.

For more information on any of the events, contact CPSAA members Sheila Rodgers at 334-289-1212 or Sha’Kita Thomas at 334-289-3073.

(This article originally appeared in the Saturday, November 10 issue of the Demopolis Times.)