Chalmette bar holds fund-raiser to donate protective vests for Sheriff’s Office and money for the Fire Department and ambulance service; $2,161 raised

Posted: September 21st, 2016 | Filed under: Announcements, In the Community, News Releases, SBSO News
Shown at the fundraiser at Wimpy's bar in Chalmette are, from left, Parish Council member at-large Richie Lewis, employee Daffanie Buras, Parish President Guy McInnis, employee Michelle Varnado, owner Lori Cantrell, Sheriff James Pohlmann and employee Jessica Richardson.

Shown at the fundraiser at Wimpy’s bar in Chalmette are, from left, Parish Council member at-large Richie Lewis, employee Daffanie Buras, Parish President Guy McInnis, employee Michelle Varnado, owner Lori Cantrell, Sheriff James Pohlmann and employee Jessica Richardson.

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Sheriff James Pohlmann, Col. Robert McNab and Capt. Mark Jackson.

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Lt. Donald Sixkiller and Steve Goettz.

Lori Cantrell, owner of Wimpy’s bar in Chalmette, had been thinking for some time about wanting to help sheriff’s deputies by donating protective vests.

“I thought this was a good time to start,’’ said Cantrell, who decided to begin a yearly tradition of holding a fundraiser to benefit not only deputies but the parish Fire Department and paramedics with Acadian Ambulance, the parish’s ambulance provider.

“We need to keep them all safe like they keep us safe,’’ said Cantrell, who said she was bothered this year by people killing police officers around the country. “We wanted to help them keep themselves safe’’ with protective vests.’’

And through the desire to help deputies, the Fire Department and paramedics the fundraiser was planned.

The event, held Sept. 17, raised $2,161, she said. And other parish businesses helped in the effort, Cantrell added.

Sheriff James Pohlmann said he and his department appreciate it when people support law enforcement.

“St. Bernard is blessed when it comes to public safety,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said. “The Sheriff’s Office, the Fire Department and Acadian Ambulance are always here to help the public. So I am not surprised when the public shows its support.’’

Parish President Guy McInnis and Council member at-large Richie Lewis, who both were also there, echoed the sheriff’s comments.

“We have enjoyed community support,’’ McInnis said. “Our citizens have always supported first-responders.”

Lewis said, “It’s because of citizen support we have such a strong Sheriff’s Office that keeps us safe.’’