Charity Basketball Game Raises Thousands for Injured Suwanee Police Officer
March Madness broke out at Lanier High School on March 15 when Suwanee police officers took on some Lanier High School teachers in a basketball game to help out a school resource officer injured while on the job. Officer Rolando Jimenez was seriously injured Feb. 13, when he was struck by a car while directing morning traffic.
Suwanee police officer Rob McCoy wanted to help the family as Jimenez focuses on his long road to recovery.
“I have worked in law enforcement for eleven years, and I have seen officers in financial need when hurt on the job,” McCoy said. He added that the basketball game was inspired by the annual excitement of the NCAA basketball tournament.
Approximately 200 people attended the game, which included a charity raffle where they raised close to $8,000 to help the Jimenez family.
“We were very pleased with the turnout with such short notice,” McCoy said. And he attributed the night’s success to the support of the Suwanee community, in particular the Suwanee businesses who donated items for the charity raffle.
McCoy is currently planning a second event in conjunction with North Gwinnett High School, where Officer Jimenez also helped out from time to time.
In the meantime, donations are being accepted on Officer Jimenez’s behalf through the NobleHeroes Foundation, which is a nonprofit organization that helps police, firefighters, and EMT personnel when they are injured or disabled. To make a donation, visit www.nobleheroes.org.
BY: Amy Wilson
