THOMASVILLE — Two girls will be honored Thursday not only for their efforts to provide ballistics vests for Thomasville Police Department K9s, but also for their roles as young heroes.

In July, Lilly Anderson and Wimberly Jones set up a lemonade stand to raise $1,800 to purchase ballistics vests for the dogs.

They raised about $9,500 at a lemonade stand on Jail-Justice Center grounds. Their original goal would have purchased vests, but not the higher quality vests to be presented to the K9s.

The recognition event is at 3:30 p.m. Thursday in front of the police department at the Jail-Justice Center.

In addition to Anderson and Jones, Sam Jones and Emily Grace Mullins also will be recognized for their participation in the lemonade stand.

The youngsters will be declared police Junior Heroes at the event and receive plaques designating their status.

“The ceremony will be in honor of some local kids who did some amazing work with no benefit to themselves. They put in a lot of hard work for the Lemonade for K9s event that took place on July 10,” said Cpl. Crystal Parker, TPD public relations officer.

Money raised above the cost of the vests will go to community animal welfare organizations. 

The K9 team will receive their vests at the ceremony.

“We request that everyone exercise social-distancing and wear a mask while in close proximity to others,” said Parker, who encourages the community to help honor the girls.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820