North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Department Holds Record-Setting Fundraiser for the Special Olympics

During its August 3-5 "Cops on Doughnut Shops" fundraising effort at Krispy Kreme, 1300 Highway 17 South, the North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Department raised $38,047.50 for the Special Olympics.

The Cops on Doughnut Shops fundraiser is familiar to many communities across South Carolina and the nation. However, the North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Department effort stands as the most successful Cops on Doughnut Shops fundraiser anywhere to date.

It is also interesting to note that the North Myrtle Beach Krispy Kreme is the most profitable Krispy Kreme location in the United States.

At the start of the August 3-5 fundraising effort, North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Director Jay Fernandez, who has always supported the Special Olympics, promised his personnel that, if they raised $10,000 he would have his hair dyed Garnett red in a tip of the hat to the University of South Carolina. City Manager Mike Mahaney pledged that, if Public Safety personnel raised $25,000 he would have his hair dyed part Clemson University orange and part Coastal Carolina University teal.

Today (August 8), the two lived up to their promises and received their dye jobs at the North Myrtle Beach Public Safety building. Many hands were invited to apply parts of the total dye jobs, and all participated with great zest!

Congratulations to North Myrtle Beach Public Safety personnel for their record-setting fundraising effort!

A tube of red on the left for Jay Fernandez and, tubes of teal and orange on the right for Mike Mahaney…

The realization sinks in… This is actually going to happen!

Dana Griffin, Public Safety coordinator for the record-setting fundraiser, applies the first dab of dye to Jay’s Hair

Mayor Marilyn Hatley and Councilwoman Nicole Fontana were among those who contributed to Mike’ coloring.

Jay Fernandez decides that a little stress eating is in order…

All dolled up, Jay Fernandez and Mike Mahaney are proud of their new hairdos…

People express relief in different ways….

This appears to be THE MOMENT that Jay Fernandez saw his dye job for the very first time…

And then, it’s back to business…

Congratulations to our Public Safety Department for a Great Job! And many thanks to Mike Mahaney and Jay Fernandez for being such good sports and great leaders!

NMB Public Safety Officer Keith Williams invites Windy Hill Residents to a May 14 "Meet Your Public Safety Officer" Event at Yow Park

North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Officer Keith Williams invites Windy Hill residents to join him on Saturday, May 14, 9am-11am, at Yow Park, 508 Windy Hill Road, to meet him and other Police Officers and Supervisors who patrol the Windy Hill neighborhood daily. (Some of the public safety employees will be joined by their families.) The event will include a bouncy house and prizes for kids, patrol cars, and an opportunity for residents to ask questions and get to know some of the Public Safety Officers who care about and keep your community safe.

Officer Keith Williams joined the Public Safety Department in August 2015. Prior to that, he served in the United States Marine Corps as a Military Policeman and retired with the rank of Sergeant Major in 2012 after 25 years of service.

One of the greatest honors in his life was to serve as a Marine, during which time he completed several combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

After retiring from the Marine Corps, he served as a law enforcement officer in San Diego, CA for two years before deciding to head east to be closer to family.

Officer Williams was raised in Burlington, NC and married his high school sweetheart, Dawn. They have been married for 25 years and have three children, ages 10, 16 and 20.

In describing his objectives for his Windy Hill community focus, Officer Williams said, "I want residents to know that I am here to serve and protect all of them. I want to meet everyone and get to know their needs and concerns. If they see me driving around, they can feel free to stop me to ask any questions, express concerns, or just say hello."

Officer Williams added that, if he doesn't know the answer to a question offhand, he will  "research it, find the answer, and get back to you."

Hope you can make it to Yow Park on May 14!