National APCO Magazine Information

The Cherokee County 911 Foundation officially announced its formation and launch April 12, 2024, with a mission to support, advocate, and advance Cherokee County E 9-1-1.  As the voice of 9-1-1, this non-profit organization is dedicated to making a lasting impact through initiatives including a dispatcher emergency support fund, public awareness campaigns, education and training, support for the mental and physical wellbeing of Cherokee County’s E-9-1-1 employees – including Ruby’s needs & care and so much more.  Ruby is 9-1-1’s AKC Canine Certified Good Citizen who lives at the center.

The successful E 9-1-1 Community Outreach Unit’s efforts will also be expanded through the Foundation.  Deputy Director Alice Fennell and Jennifer Lasenyik were paramount in bringing this foundation to life after they were told a local grant for the purchase of Files for Life™ would not be possible due to there not being a 501©(3) to make the donation to.  Based on our research, we believe this Foundation is the only Public Safety Foundation solely dedicated to supporting an E 9-1-1 Center in the State of Georgia and we are very proud of that!! 

Cherokee County E 9-1-1 Deputy Director Alice Fennell shared, “We are so excited for the formation of the Cherokee County 911 Foundation. The goal is always to leave something better than you found it and the Foundation and its mission ensure that we do just that for both current and future Communications Officers in Cherokee County.” 

Cherokee County E 9-1-1 at 58 strong, is the heartbeat of public safety in our community, answering all calls for the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services, Cherokee County Marshall’s Office, Law Enforcement for our municipalities – Ball Ground, Canton, Holly Springs, Waleska and Woodstock – as well as City of Woodstock Fire Department, the Cherokee County School District Police and Reinhardt University Public Safety.  

The Cherokee County 911 Foundation’s Founding Board of Directors is comprised of passionate community servant leaders who champion public safety.  Their unwavering dedication will ensure that the organization operates with transparency, integrity, and purpose.  Their immense pride in their community is a direct correlation to their support of Cherokee County E 9-1-1, which was recently named Georgia’s 2023 9-1-1 Center of the Year.

“Our board was built thoughtfully and intentionally, and our board members are putting in the work and are dedicated to building the Foundation to make a real difference at our Cherokee County E 9-1-1.  We’ve already seen great success in our community by advocating, able to provide emergency funds, training opportunities and funding Ruby’s needs and care. The Foundation is extremely honored to support this exceptional team of First Responders”, said Foundation President, Lori Flink, President of Allegro Business Products. 

Cherokee County E 9-1-1 Director Shane Bonebrake stated, “I am beyond amazed at the Board of Directors this Foundation has been blessed with. Powerful, Caring, Honorable, Impactful and Insightful are just some of the words to describe this amazing Board”. 

We invite you to learn more about the Cherokee County 911 Foundation. Visit us online at https://www.cherokeega-911.org/foundation-about, follow us on social media, and support our efforts by becoming a Heartbeat Partner by donating $9.11, which allows our Heart to Beat!  We also have our First Annual Cornhole Tournament and Autumn Bash November 2, 2024, at Etowah River Park in Canton, GA and invite you to sign up for a cornhole team, sponsor or just come out and enjoy the day supporting Cherokee County E 9-1-1. 

For media inquiries, please contact: 

Lori Flink Email: CC911FoundationPresident@gmail.com, 404-395-3454 

Note: The Cherokee County 911 Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.