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PPD caravan of care delivers Thanksgiving meals
Caravan of Care
James, Stella, Gracelen and Lennix knock on a door with a Thanksgiving meal. - photo by Darryl Welch

PORTERDALE, Ga. – If you saw a caravan of Porterdale police vehicles making its way through the city’s streets Wednesday morning don’t be alarmed. They weren’t on the trail of a lawbreaker but were delivering 15 Thanksgiving meals to some of Porterdale’s citizens in need.

Caravan of Care
Porterdale police deliver Thanksgiving meals to local families in need. - photo by Darryl Welch

The meals were donated by McDonough Used Auto Parts, who have a location in Covington. Production Manager and Porterdale resident Donald McCroskey said this is the second year the family-owned business has donated meals. He said the idea came about while he was having a conversation with the business’ owner Jackie Satterwhite.

“He said ‘We’ve been so blessed. What can we do to give back to the community?’”, McCroskey said.

Police Chief Jason Cripps said the donated meals will give people who would not get to otherwise a chance to enjoy turkey and all the fixings on Thanksgiving.

“We’ve got a lot of people with needs here,” he said. “We enjoy giving back to the community. I’m proud of my village and I’m proud of my police department."

Porterdale’s finest were joined on the caravan of care by Cripps’ wife Holly and son James, along with McCroskey’s wife Shawna and children Stella, Gracelen and Lennix.

Stella, 11, summed up the mood of those involved after giving away the final meal.

“It’s cool to help people,” she said.

Oxford linemen among Gold Dome honorees
Jody Reid and Matt Brown linemen
Linemen Jody Reid (left) and Matt Brown (right) at the state capitol building. Photo via City of Oxford.

OXFORD, Ga. — Two Oxford linemen went to the state capitol on Tuesday as lawmakers honored the state’s linemen.

Senator John F. Kennedy presented a Resolution declaring March 11 as “Georgia Lineman Day.” Numerous linemen from around the state were invited to come to the Gold Dome, including Jody Reid and Matt Brown from Oxford.

“Georgia’s linemen are dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to ensure that electrical power is restored to homes and communities during times of crisis, often under dangerous and challenging conditions,” the resolution states. “...the swift and efficient restoration of electrical services by Georgia’s linemen during and after Hurricane Helene was critical in enabling the recovery process…”

The city of Oxford posted on Facebook, shouting out Reid and Brown and shining a light on the resolution.

“[Reid and Brown] deserve to be honored not just yesterday, but every day,” the post said. “If you see them out in town, be sure to thank them for everything they do!”