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By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor

ALABASTER – The Alabaster community will gather around their first responders and show how much they value their sacrifice and service during the 10th annual Alabaster Police Appreciation Dinner.

The Alabaster Police Department will be treated to dinner with a host of prizes and gifts during the appreciation dinner which is set for Tuesday, June 10 from 6-8 p.m. at Champy’s Famous Fried Chicken in Alabaster.

“I think this is probably the most exciting one we’ve done because it’s the 10th annual event,” said Dena Bedsole who has organized the event each year since its inception.

During the event, students and community members will form an arch over a blue carpet to welcome officers into the restaurant for all of the festivities.

“We are anticipating this year to have tons of high school kids to create a tunnel and cheer for them like their paparazzi as they come in,” Bedsole said.

Organizers will be distributing door prizes and every officer that walks in the door will receive a bag full of gift cards. Currently, they are on track to award the officers approximately $10,000 in cash and $5,000-plus in prizes.

Champy’s will close its doors to the public for the evening and provide live music and appetizers at no charge for the officers in attendance. Cultivate Church will pay the bill to feed every officer at the event.

In addition to members of the APD, students participating in the Alabaster Cadet program have been invited this year to partake in the festivities and enjoy a free meal alongside local police officers.

“We have invited the cadets to be a part of the dinner which I think is really cool because the whole goal of the cadet program is to (create) and have new Alabaster police officers in the future,” Bedsole said.

The Alabaster Police Appreciation Dinner first began 10 years ago after Bedsole and her husband, Russell, chose to secretly pay for dinner. After successfully gathering donations, they decided to turn the charity into an annual gift to Alabaster officers.

“It’s grown and grown every year,” Bedsole said. “Everybody wants to do good and to give and to support the police department. The only thing that I’ve done through this event is create an avenue for people to do that.”

Bedsole shared that her greatest hope is that other cities start to copy Alabaster and host their own events showing appreciation for local law enforcement.

“I want copycat cities,” Bedsole said. “I want (other) cities to do the same thing.”

Bedsole is still collecting donations of door prizes and money for the Alabaster Police Appreciation Dinner. Those interested in donating can call Bedsole at 205-369-3939 or send an email to Dmbedsole@bellsouth.net.