TO THE EDITOR:

Isn't it just great to live in a small town?

That was evident at the "Support Your Local Sheriff - Ride for Gary" event. Despite the threat of rain there was still an overwhelming outpouring of support for our local sheriff, Gary A. Rogers, and his family. It never ceases to amaze me how our community always pulls together to support each other in times of need.

It was truly heart-warming to see all the smiling faces working together and enjoying the fellowship of the day. Right from the start everybody was willing to pitch in and help in any way they could. The day would never have been such a success without the help of the entire community.

I'd like to take the opportunity to make a "special thank you" to the following:

To Mike Leathers of the Georgia Sheriffs Association, Georgia Sheriffs Youth Homes, and US Rider News for allowing my husband, Tim, to dedicate the bike, "The New Sheriff," to our sheriff and friend, Gary Rogers.

To the Stars & Bars motorcycle group for always supporting our causes whole-heartedly.

To Mayor Burns and all of the Washington City Council members for allowing us to use The Square.

To David Lee for providing the banner on The Square free of charge.

To Marilyn Wright for her work on the event T-shirts.

To all of the sponsors on the back of the event T-shirts for making the purchase of the shirts possible.

To all who made contributions behind the scenes: Beta Sigma Phi, Xi Delta Tau, Farmers and Merchants Bank, Mallorysville Baptist Church, the Rotary Club, Lions Club, Kyle Brown, James Jones, David Cravens, Ronnie Huffman, Tony and Marion Hammond, Jerome Wilson, Bob Kirkland, Myrlene Thornton, The Biscuit Place, The News-Reporter, and to the many who wish to remain nameless.

To all of the vendors who came out and worked all day just to make a contribution: Shriners Club, Joyce Blackburn, Bee Southern, Harris Custom Cycles, Georgia Sheriffs Association, Rockin' Rooster, Greg Rogers and Family, Jack and Marilyn Newsome, Washington Police Department, Pathway Community Church, Washington Fire Department and their wives, Wilkes County Sheriff 's Department, Debbie and Henry Anderson, Dan and Nita Allen, Alice and Ashton Hardin, Paige Rogers, Joy and Brooke Hardigree, Phil Morgan, Dawn Cosby, Susan Rogers, Lynn Bentley, Ken and Barbara Davis, Wyatt Harris, Jenna Grimaud, Amber Davis, Terry's IGA, and to the Jockey Club and Fitzpatrick Hotel for offering special discounts to all the riders.

To Rev. Dale Fincher for the blessing of the bikes and Jill Rogers for leading the bike run.

To the riders who came from all over Georgia and South Carolina and endured the heat and the rain.

To the Warren, McDuffie, and Lincoln County sheriff's departments for allowing our riders to stop at their departments and to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Department for having cold drinks available.

To Sam Reeves and Jerry Hackney for jumping in and organizing the chicken barbecue and to all of those who helped sell the tickets.

To all of Gary's family and friends who gave of their time and hearts.

To the community for caring enough to come out and pull together to show their support for our sheriff.

And most of all - to Gary A. Rogers for his many years of service and dedication to Wilkes County.

Thank you, and if I have left someone out, rest assured that God has not forgotten each act of kindness shown that day.

KELLY HARRIS Harris Custom Cycles