The Port Aransas Police Department and the Port Aransas VFD will combine forces on Saturday Sept. 17, to raise funds to help Central Texas emergency responders who lost their homes or were otherwise displaced by the fires that raged through Bastrop and Travis counties during the past two weeks. Police Chief Scott Burroughs said that it is not going to be an elaborate event.

“We are just going to set up in the police department parking lot, throw some burgers and sausages on the grill, chill a few soft drinks, and enjoy a little fellowship with those in the community that want to help out,” Burroughs said.

Cooking will start at 11 a.m. and continue “until we run out,” Burroughs said. Burroughs said that he has been in contact with representatives from the Travis County Sheriff ’s Memorial and Benevolent Society (SMBS), a 501 c(3) group established several years ago to assist Travis County deputies during times of unexpected need.

At least eight Travis County Sheriff ’s Office employees’ homes were destroyed by the fires, Burroughs said.

“I asked them if there was a way to ensure that any funds we raised could be shared with other Central Texas first responder groups,” he said. “I was told that there were similar groups forming in Bastrop in the aftermath of the fires, and that the SMBS would be glad to help us out.” If you would like to help, you can come by the cook-out or drop a monetary donation off at the police department. Burroughs said checks are preferred, but cash will be accepted. Donations are taxdeductible; checks should be made out to the SMBS.