The Hill Country 100 Club paid honors to area law enforcement, firefighters and emergency medical service personnel of Blanco, Burnet, Llano and Lampasas Counties at their annual membership and awards banquet Thursday, January 19, 2012, at the Lakeside Pavilion in Marble Falls, Texas. Over 300 members, honorees, colleagues, family and friends, were present to recognize 46 area emergency first responders for their service and contributions to their respective agencies and communities.

Jeff Robinson, the outgoing 2011 chairman was pleased to report that there had been no loss of life incidents in 2010. He also reported on several donations to area first responders in 2011.

Blanco County emergency first responder honors went to; Gregory W. Anderson – Officer of the Year – Blanco County Sheriff Department; Johnny Whisenant – Officer of the Year – Blanco PD; Asst. Chief Lynn Hicks – Firefighter of the Year – Blanco VFD; Lt. Ross Allen – Officer of the Year – Johnson City PD; Lt. Lawerence “Crickett” Goff – Firefighter of the Year – Johnson City VFD; and Asst. Chief Todd Kneese – Firefighter of the Year – Round Mountain VFD.

Hill Country 100 Club 2011 chairman Jeff Robinson says, “The primary purpose of Hill Country 100 Club is to provide financial aid to spouses and dependents of fallen law enforcement, firefighters and emergency medical service personnel who are killed in the line of duty. We also provide financial aid to those emergency first responders who may be seriously injured on the job.” Mr. Robinson concluded by saying the “Hill Country 100 Club provides scholarships to graduating seniors who are pursuing careers in law enforcement, firefighting or emergency medical services. These scholarships are first offered to dependents of our first responders who are majoring in these career fields.”

The Hill Country 100 Club began in 2001 when a few citizens got together and decided to organize and provide financial support to the dependents of Burnet County emergency first responders killed in the line of duty. Today the Hill Country 100 Club has several hundred members and supports law enforcement, firefighters and emergency medical service personal in Burnet, Llano, Blanco and Lampasas Counties. The Hill Country 100 Club invites the community to participate by donating or joining by contacting one of their current directors or by going to www.hillcountry100club.org. Contributions can be sent to: Hill Country 100 Club, P.O. Box 381, Burnet, Texas 78611. We are seeking board members from Blanco County. Contact us for more information.