Back Columbus Blue supports first responders

Long hours, heavy workloads, and responding to dangerous calls are all part of a day in the life of law enforcement, firefighters, and EMS. Back Columbus Blue (BCB) is an organization dedicated to standing behind the first responders who serve the community.

The group cofounded by Chaplain Paul Voohees and former State Representative Jed Harris supports public safety through fundraising for needed equipment, hosting appreciation events, and providing educational scholarships. Their mission statement reads: We believe that those who put their lives on the line every day deserve our unwavering support. Our organization works tirelessly to ensure that Columbus’s finest know they are valued and appreciated by the community they serve.

To carry out the goal, Back Columbus Blue will hold its 5th annual golf tournament on October 1 at Bull Creek Golf Course. Even before that date, BCB is looking for scholarship applicants, including first responders, their spouses, or their children.

“The golf tournament has been successful. More sponsors and players are welcome to take part and help us grow support for public safety. We want to increase the number of recipients and the amount given to each. BCB also needs potential scholarship recipients to apply before July 31,” said Harris, who now serves as Chairman of Back Columbus Blue.

For more information on the scholarship program, apply now: https://bit.ly/4fayrAW. The deadline for scholarship applications is Friday, July 31.

Last year, Back Columbus Blue awarded 11 scholarships, but they want to do more and have set aside $20,000 to help more applicants.

How Back Columbus Blue began

It all started in 2015 as a conversation between two men talking about how to support law enforcement and their families. What developed between Paul Voorhees, President of Ranger Joe’s in Columbus, a business that has faithfully served military and law enforcement communities since 1963, and his friend, former State Representative, Jed Harris, was the formation of Back Columbus Blue.

“Paul told Jed if he would invest his time, ‘I will invest my money.’ Within a few months, they met with then Columbus Police Chief Ricky Boren. Boren’s input led to the first Christmas appreciation meal we had catered at the Public Safety Building,” explained Jed Harris.

Those holiday meals continued to grow by serving other public safety officials and their families and adding St. Luke Methodist Church as another location to accommodate other shifts.

In 2021, the BCB golf tournament was added to raise more money to increase support. It has grown every year and now includes a Hole in One chance to win a Buick or cash.

“Throughout the year, we communicate with law enforcement agencies to determine their needs.”

How you can help

The support for public safety grows each year, and so does the need to help organizations like Back Columbus Blue, committed to helping those who lay their lives on the line to serve the community.

For more information on Back Columbus Blue, the upcoming golf tournament, or scholarship program, call 706-957-2583 or email [email protected]