Here in Pearl River County, our homes are filled with community minded people.

If you need proof, just think back to the last time you broke down on the side of the road. While calling your significant other or friend for assistance, more than one person probably stopped to offer a ride or a battery jump.

But that community spirit goes above the random offer of roadside assistance.

When a person is in need, one of our county’s civic minded groups will take the lead in organizing a fundraiser or some other event ensuring help is on the way.

Last week the Blue Knights Chapter IX held a barbecue fundraiser for a fellow law enforcement officer recovering from open heart surgery. The efforts of that event raised thousands of dollars that will help that deputy not only keep his electricity on, but more importantly let him know that people in Pearl River County are thinking about him and praying for his quick recovery.

Those efforts will continue this Friday with another lunch fundraiser set for City Park in Poplarville, this time organized by the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department. If you’re in the area that day consider contributing to this worthwhile cause. Two other fundraisers are also underway or being planned to help a family pay for the various expenses in their 7-year-old son’s cancer treatments. Cancer is something no one wants to think about happening to them or a family member. And it’s even worse when a child is the patient.

Assistance for this young person can be provided by purchasing a crawfish plate on Saturday at Walkiah Water Park or purchasing a shirt from an online store. Details about those opportunities are outlined in today’s edition of the Item.