Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org
Realizing just how much the Wyoming Public Safety Department officers do for businesses, Harriet Sturim and her family, which owns Steve’s Antique Auto Repair, Inc., have been hosting the Wyoming Public Safety Appreciation Day, an event – with the help of Wyoming businesses – they are now making a community-wide celebration.
“When we started it, it was during a time when officers really weren’t being given the credit for what they do,” Sturim said during a recent phone interview. “As a business owner, we recognize the amount of time the officers take to check the businesses throughout the night, leaving their card to let owners know when they came by, and we just wanted to say thank you for that.”
This year, the Sturims along with the Wyoming Business Leaders, the business association the Sturims are a part of, decided to make the event a community “thank you” by having it Saturday, June 25, at the lodge at Pinery Park, 2301 DeHoop Ave. SW. The event will run from 2 – 4 p.m.
Several area businesses, such as Tommy Brann’s Steakhouse & Grille, Fresh Coast, and Marge’s Donut Den, have donated items from food to kids activities. More donations are welcomed and anyone interested can contact Sturim at 616-540-7675.
Depending on the needs of the city for that day, the Wyoming Public Safety Department and the Fire Department will have equipment on hand as well. Also scheduled to make an appearance is the K9 Unit.
“This is a great way to meet your police department,” Sturim said. “In this day and age, we feel it is really important for the young people to realize that these officers are friends and that if they need them for something, they are there for them.”
The entire event is free and open to public.
