Friendship Center holds Police Appreciation Lunch

‘Thank you’ to all police officers for putting their lives on the line every day

Police officers in Williamsburg, Whitley County and Kentucky State Police received a little extra special treatment recently when they were invited to a lunch prepared in their honor.  Williamsburg’s Friendship Center President Jayma Moore said it was their way to say “thank you” to all the local police officers.

“They put their lives on the line every day for us,” said Jayma.

Jayma, who has been employed full-time as Plant Manager Assistant at Firestone Industries in Williamsburg for 16 years, took the position of President of the Board at the Williamsburg Friendship Center, in 2015.

She said she was encouraged by Sister Leann Herda to take the position, and is trying to make a difference for the center and the community.
Since taking the position, Jayma and Crystal Laschon, Vice President at the Friendship Center have been making some great changes at the Friendship Center with the help of Brenda Harville and Janette Bush.

Jayma came up with the idea for the Police Appreciation Lunch after seeing all the media coverage of the way police officers are being treated lately, and so she rounded up some help to make her vision happen. It was truly a group effort between a few businesses and some key players.

Jayma mentioned the idea for the luncheon to her boss at Firestone, Michael Weir, who has been very supportive of the work she does at the Friendship Center. When hearing about her idea, Firestone got involved and they donated all the decorations and table cloths.

When Jayma’s husband, Danny Moore, owner of Moore Excavating, got word of what they were planning, he also wanted to be a part of it and sponsor, so he donated all the drinks and desserts.

She then contacted Hawg Heaven Catering in London to order the meal. When she told the owners Jr. and Polly Smith of her plans, they wanted to be a part of it, too. Hawg Heaven Catering purchased all the food, cooked it and catered it to the Friendship Center for the police officers lunch for FREE. The meal consisted of pulled pork, grilled chicken breast, potato salad, baked beans, corn bread salad and a dessert.

There were approximately 35 police officers, who showed up for the event which was held October 4th.

After the lunch, the Friendship Center gave out Saint Christopher medals to the police officers as a token of their appreciation for what the officers do every day.