Families of fallen heroes receive community support

Branson Bowling: Christian County fallen heroes’ fundraiser a success

BY LUANNA FULLERTON, Entertainment Writer

Branson Bowling hosted a fundraiser for the families of Deputies Gabriel Ramirez and Michael Hislope. It was a great 40 hours of fun and success.

Branson Bowling was honored to have such a wide array of people show up and support this cause. They were very happy with the total numbers and able to help while the families navigate through this very difficult time in their lives. 

This fundraiser would not have been possible without the supporters; staff; and Angie, marketing director at Branson Bowling; but most of all to Steve and Katrina Creedon, the owners of Branson Bowling. 

The check was delivered to Sheriff Brad Cole, who graciously accepted it on behalf of the deputies’ families. The amount of $16,486.14 will be split between the two families. 

Stay tuned in the upcoming weeks, when I write an article on Branson Bowling. In the meantime, stop by and visit them at 2126 E. State Hwy. 76 in Branson. Their hours are Sunday - Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday - Saturday 11 a.m.-12 a.m.

---

Support local hero families at Stone County 100 Club gala 

BY CYNTHIA J. THOMAS, Staff Writer

The Stone County 100 Club will host its third annual gala on Thursday evening, March 26, at the Ledgestone Country Club in Branson West. 

Established in 2021, the Stone County 100 Club is one of many nonprofit 100 Clubs in Missouri and nationwide, all with the mission of providing financial support to the surviving spouse and/or dependent children of first responders killed in the line of duty, delivering the financial support along with emotional support within hours of the death. Clubs receive no government funding, are non-political in nature and are entirely volunteer-driven, relying on donations to support their mission. 

Organizers shared that this year’s event brings fresh awareness that the need can hit close to home, as officers from several counties were involved in the recent manhunt during which two officers from neighboring Christian County were killed by the fugitive, and two others injured.

Although individual and table sponsorships are sold out for the event, a few opportunities remain to sponsor a seat for an area first responder to attend and enjoy a relaxing evening of fellowship. The gala will feature a full plated dinner, wine and whiskey pull, and a live auction with Stone County Sheriff Doug Rader as emcee/auctioneer. Each attendee will also receive a special edition challenge coin listing the agencies supported by the Club. There will also be an opportunity to donate to the families of the other two officers who were wounded in the recent incident and have a long road to recovery, emotionally and physically, ahead of them. 

Speaker for the evening will be Missouri Highway Patrol Trooper Michael Linegar, whose father, Trooper Jimmie Linegar, was killed in the line of duty 41 years ago at the intersection of U.S. 65 and Missouri Hwy. 86. His story and the recent tragedy serve as reminders of the risks taken by our first responders each time they report for duty, and what a privilege it is to show our appreciation. 

Learn more, or become a member of the Stone County 100 Club, at https://www.stonecounty100club.com. Memberships start at just $100 per year, and getting involved is a wonderful way to support and thank the heroes who work hard to keep us safe. 

---

Taney County gives generously to families of fallen officers

BY K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer

The Branson community is known for helping out our neighbors. Locally, businesses host benefits for families in need, food drives for area nonprofits, and fundraisers for others who are facing difficult times. Most recently, several area businesses gave generously of their time and talent to raise funds to help residents of a local county.

In late February, a traffic stop in Christian County, north of the Branson area, led to a manhunt that involved many law enforcement agencies. The end result was officer-involved shootings that claimed the lives of two deputies from the Christian County Sheriff's Department, and left two other officers – one from Christian County and the other from Webster County – with serious injuries.

Seeing the need among families in a neighboring county, many Taney County businesses began looking at ways they could quickly raise money to help ease some of the burden for those families.

One Branson business, Hurts Donut Company in Branson, held a special fundraiser within days of the tragedy, creating a unique donut commemorating the fallen officers. Proceeds from the sales of that pastry resulted in more than $20,000 being raised in one day.

A special 40-hour bowling event at Branson Bowling was held to help the families of those who lost their lives. Proceeds from the event, including sales from a t-shirt designed for the event, totaled over $16,000 for the officers' families.

Brad Gore is a local realtor and owner of One Five Real Estate Advisors. Area realtors collected funds for the deputies' families.

Said Gore, "The Tri-Lakes Board of Realtors fundraiser was a board-wide initiative that went out to all realtors that are members of the TLBOR, requesting any donation amount or donations of gift cards. It sounds simple, but we simply asked realtors to give and they gave – $10,000 worth."

Gore is also the founder and first chairman of Embers Only Cigar Club.

"For Embers Only, our club exists solely to fund raise for organizations that exist in –and keeping the money local to – Taney County. We host two or three events per year and have raised funds for Taney County 100 Club, the Taney County Firefighters' Benevolence Fund, Hollister Schools Foundation, among others – over $75,000 since 2021," explained Gore. "This fundraiser was an exception. Our club got together and planned the event in just six days. Kevin and Betsy McConnell, owners of Embers Cigar Lounge, spearheaded the organization of the event and my brokerage sponsored the event. We did a Texas Hold 'em Tournament – no cash, no prize money – all proceeds went to the Christian County Deputy Sheriffs' Association. We raised just under $15,000 total."

Mezcal Mexican Restaurant donated more than $7,400, which was 100% of the venue's sales on a recent Saturday to the Christian County 100 Club.

White River Dive Company donated a percentage of the money taken in from the rental of dive gear on a recent spring-like day, with more fundraisers planned for the future.

Said the owner of White River Dive Company, also a Reserve Officer with the Taney County Sheriff's Department, "People in Taney County really wanted to help out and support those families."

Swan Valley Coffee in Forsyth also held a fundraising event for the families of the officers. Said a representative of Swan Valley, "It was really cool to see the community come out and support people we don't really know. Something like that just hits really close to home."

Many other businesses and individuals have given to the Christian County 100 Club or other organizations to help these families, while more fundraisers are still in the planning stages.

The Nashville Roadhouse Theater is holding a benefit concert on Sunday, March 22, featuring Stevie Lee Woods and the Nashville Roadhouse Band, Jerry Presley, and the Outpost Opry Variety Show. Showtime is 7 p.m. There is no admission price, but donations will be collected and donated to the families of the officers. For tickets or more information, call the Nashville Roadhouse Theater at 417-336-8742.