First responders supported their first annual Meet & Greet for the “Bridging the Gap” program this past Saturday, October 19, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. on the grounds of the Winnfield Police station. The Winnfield Police Department, Winnfield Fire Department, and the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office were in attendance to fellowship with community leaders, residents, and children

There was plenty of assistance in making this program successful.  Teen Challenge personnel were on hand to provide authentic jambalaya.  Other participants included the CASA program and the “Operation Save a Kid” foundation.  Many businesses provided donations of food, gifts, and trinkets for all to enjoy.  Those businesses included the Family Dollar/Dollar Tree which is also a national sponsor of the National Night-Out Program.  

First Responders used this event to introduce this program for future participants.  The National Night-Out Program is a community-based program that encouraged neighborhood and block parties such as this one to allow the communities to meet and interact with first responders.  A real fellowship atmosphere was developed this year that included prayer by Fire Chief Brian Montgomery and release of balloons dedicated to victims of gun violence over the last few years.  

Community Liaison Officer Jessie Phillips has spent a lot of time and effort to put this program together with the goal to push for a better Winnfield, along with a better understanding of the roles of all first responders. He and his wife, Councilperson Teresa Phillips, have always been supporters of events as they relate to their community, and run the “Operation Save a Kid” organization to fund the Annual Shop-with-a-Cop program every year for the past 18 years.