Public Safety Appreciation

In recognition of last month’s Cobb County’s Public Safety Appreciation Week, SM&P staff were honored to meet with Marietta fire and police personnel. They came bearing boxes of grab-and-go snacks for some of their favorite law enforcement officers and firefighters. “We brought these goodies to show our appreciation,” said Sherri Dombi, SM&P executive assistant. “We feel it was the least we could do to express our love for these guys and gals.”

The community had the opportunity last month to meet the nominees for the 2022 Public Safety Awards at the Cobb Chamber’s Public Safety Appreciation luncheon. This event kicked off the county-wide Public Safety Appreciation Week. The awards were presented at the breakfast later in the month.

“The Public Safety Appreciation week and events are where we come together as a community to show our support and appreciation for all that our Public Safety providers do to make Cobb a safe, enjoyable place to live, work, and play,” said the Chamber’s Katie Guice.

“Being a first responder in Marietta is so much easier knowing we have the support of our community,” said Chuck McPhilamy, public information officer for Marietta Fire and Police. “Local first responders rely on this community engagement and support to serve and protect effectively. Sincere THANKS to all who took time to make thank you cards and drop off snacks for our team! And a special thanks to the representatives of Stearns-Montgomery & Proctor for dropping in to express their support for first responders. In a time when there is so much division in the world, it is even more meaningful to know that community partners stand by you.”

This year, the appreciation event is especially poignant. ”We lost two deputies in a recent shooting,” explained SM&P HR project administrator Kaelyn Pruett, “and the community has really come together. I spoke with both the officers and firefighters about the local county fairs’ aptitude in raising money for the families of these lost officers. They said that they were all able to express their gratitude and sympathies to each other, overall just proud that Cobb County was able to raise and donate money for the grieving families.”

“First responders put their lives on the line every day for all of us,” said Mary Montgomery, SM&P’s founding and managing partner. “And this year, they’ve had to go beyond what was already the extra mile they are known for.”

Public Safety Appreciation Week is a countywide effort to allow everyone the opportunity to say “thank you” to public safety personnel who protect residents of our towns and county each day. Community members are encouraged to demonstrate their support and share photos of their acts of thanks on social media by using the hashtag #CobbAppreciates.