By HOLBROOK MOHR
The Associated Press
JACKSON, Miss. - Hurricane Katrina robbed many of Mississippi’s first responders of almost everything — homes, cars and time with families after perhaps the worst natural disaster ever to befall the state.
Now, state officials and others are planning a telethon in hopes of raising money to give something back to those who wear a badge. The fund-raiser is planned Thursday on the statewide public television network.
State Auditor Phil Bryant met Monday with officials from Mississippi Public Broadcasting and representatives of federal, state and local agencies to iron out the final details for “Back up the Badge.”
The two-hour special will feature the personal stories of some of the men and women who fought through crushing losses to serve others during the Aug. 29 storm that flattened the Gulf Coast and left extensive damage well inland.
Nearly 500 officers and firefighters in Mississippi suffered significant losses in the storm, officials said.
“These are the men and women that ran in and told everyone else to leave,” said Bobby Reed, president of the Mississippi State Troopers Association.
Bryant said he hopes the public understands the sacrifices made and responds with donations during the program. Or, they can donate money now to the Mississippi Law Enforcement and Firefighters Katrina Relief Fund at any Trustmark National Bank branch in Mississippi, Florida, Texas or Tennessee, he said.
“We’re trying to raise money for any sworn law enforcement officer or firefighter that lost their home,” Bryant said. “We’re trying to make them whole again.”
Any full-time law enforcement officer or certified full-time firefighter serving in the state with damage from the hurricane will be eligible for financial help.
The money will be used to plug financial holes for the first responders after insurance and FEMA payouts on personal property, said U.S. Attorney Dunn Lampton, who attended the meeting.
“This is the last chance to make these folks whole,” Lampton said.
Also during the telethon, Kristian Dambrino, the reigning Miss Mississippi, will debut a video and song — “Prayer for Pearlington” — about the loss of her grandmother in the small southwest Mississippi community and other experiences from Katrina.
Officials will be taking phone calls to accept donations throughout the show, which begins at 8 p.m. on Thursday.