Public employees across the nation give back to their communities in extraordinary ways every single day. From donating to food banks to helping neighbors and protecting their communities, public employees have always been there when their community needs them the most.
Here are two stories of public employees in service to their communities.
Louisa County teacher running to teach lessons beyond the classroom by Macy Moors. Katharine Fletcher, a teacher at Louisa County High School in Virginia, is running the extra mile — literally. Fletcher, who is raising money for college scholarships for high school students, has raised more than $70,000 over the past six years the annual Lion Pride Run has been taking place. She plans to run 105 miles to Washington, DC, from Louisa County. Her efforts over the years have helped 25 students go to college. “Louisa County is a wonderful place, and I love these kids and I’m excited to go out there and support them with this run,” Fletcher said. “Even though sometimes I think we forget that or doubt ourselves, so really, I’m hoping that they can see that they can do perhaps more in whatever road they’re going to travel in life,” she said.
‘We honor them by pedaling’: Law enforcement officers ride in Tour De Force bike ride by Frank Fernandez. For the last 25 years, the Tour De Force bike ride has helped raise money for families of police officers that are dealing with the financial obligations in the aftermath of an officer’s death. The bike ride spans 270 miles from North Miami Beach in Florida to Daytona Beach Shores over the course o four days. This year, one of the officers who participated was Volusia County Sheriff’s Deputy Mark Mathieson, who rode in honor of Deputy Frank Scofield. Scofield passed away in 2019 after he was struck by a motorist while riding his bike. “I wanted to personally honor him by completing the whole event and raising money to be donated in his honor,” Mathieson said. “I figured that would be a good tribute in his name and also a way to carry on in his legacy. It was something that he did and he seemed to enjoy.” Mathieson raised $2,000 for the event.
Be sure to check back the week after next for more stories of public employees giving back to their communities!
