Gala to recognize first responders

Note: This story was updated at 2:11 p.m. on Jan. 11 to correct links.

KYLE — In an effort to provide support and acknowledge the efforts and sacrifice of first responders, the Kyle Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association is hosting a Blue, Red & White Gala on Jan. 13.

The Kyle Citizen Police Academy is a 10-week course that allows citizens to learn about the operations of the Kyle Police Department. Consisting of classes that cover emergency communications, patrol operations and standards, crime scene investigation and more, the members also have the opportunity to participate in a ride-along with an officer. After graduating, residents have the opportunity to join the alumni association.

The alumni association is dedicated to maintaining communication between KPD and the residents in an effort to further their understanding of what KPD does, as well as support the police department through fundraisers and events, such as Blue Santa. One of the fundraisers that Dallas Lee, the 2023 president of the alumni association, hopes will become more frequent in the future is the gala.

“The gala fundraiser is not only just to raise funds, but it’s also to commend the officers who spend 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, being on call, to be our protectors,” said Lee. “We want to make sure that they understand that we appreciate all that they do [and] knowing that, even with a fundraiser to help them get things done, we can’t fully compare [their work] to a dollar. So, this is just something to let them know how much we appreciate them and, if at any point in time, they need something out in the community [or] they need someone to be there for them to show their support, that’s us.”

The gala has been held four other times, in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2023 and now 2024, according to Lee. However, Lee stated that after celebrating its anniversary, the nonprofit hoped to move forward with expanding its support to all first responders. The goal is to bring all businesses, residents and emergency service members together to create connection.

“Our neighbor is not only next door. Our neighbor is 10 communities over, so this was going to be our opportunity to bridge that gap and to bring people [together], so that they can understand one another because education helps get rid of the ignorance that’s out there. I’m not saying that people are ignorant, but you’re ignorant when you don’t know what’s going on. We want to be that educational piece and bring them together,” said Lee.

This year’s gala will take place at Texas Old Town’s Stone Hall, located at 2210 Old Stagecoach Road, Kyle. There are two unique aspects to the event. The first is that this will be both a day and night gala to accommodate the hectic schedules of first responders, beginning at 1 p.m. and ending at 11 p.m., and the second is that the fundraiser will be a Monte Carlo Casino fundraiser or a pseudo casino.

Four popular games will be available — blackjack, Texas Hold’em, roulette and craps — that attendees can play using chips given when purchasing a ticket to the event, with the option to buy more.

Other aspects that attendees can expect are food, television to watch the NFL playoffs and raffles with items provided by Chris Tyson of Tyson Fundraising. Tyson is known to have artifacts from across the nation, ranging from a Vince Young helmet to a signed Taylor Swift record, stated Lee. There will also be a ceremony for the first responders that will be closed to the public.

All of the funds will go back to the police this year, but Lee hopes to share the proceeds with KPD and the Kyle Fire Department at the next event — gradually expanding their outreach.

Tickets can be purchased at bit.ly/kcpaaa_day_gala2024 for the day (1-5 p.m.), 18+, or at bit.ly/kcpaaa_night_gala2024 for the night (8-11 p.m.), 21+, but will also be available at the front door. First responders are able to attend for free.

“It’s one thing to see, for example, a 9/11 event where everyone shows up and that’s when they get to come together, but it shouldn’t just be when the catastrophe happens,” emphasized Lee. “We [need] to do something to let them know that not only are they out there representing the public, not only are they out there surviving the public, but that we’re serving them reciprocally.”