On Saturday, March 23, The Smarr and Smith Foundation will hold its third annual gala on the campus of Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus.

The yearly gala is the organization’s biggest fundraiser. The foundation memorializes Americus Police Officer Nick Smarr and Georgia Southwestern State University Police Officer Jody Smith, both of whom died in the line of duty while serving their community.

As way to honor their lives and devotion to the people they served so bravely, community members joined forces to create The Smarr Smith Foundation. The organization raises money to give to Americus Police, Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, and the Georgia Southwestern State University Police Department to supplement agency budgets to purchase needed items and supplies.  Some of the foundation funds provide scholarship monies for officers to continue their educations. 

As of Thursday afternoon, a few seats were still open at the gala. Members of the Smarr Smith Foundation always seek support, throughout the year.  If you’re interested in purchasing tickets for the gala, learning more about the organization and finding other ways you can help, please visit the Smarr Smith Foundation website.  The Smarr Smith Foundation also has a Facebook page.

To learn more about the circumstances that led to the tragic murders of these two heroic officers, WRBL News 3 has more information available here.