The Women’s Mission Union of Southside Baptist Church hosted a luncheon Monday for the public service personnel in the city of Troy.

About 50 members of the Troy Police Department, Troy Fire Department, Pike County Sheriff’s Department and the Troy University Police Department, along with Troy Mayor Jimmy Lunsford, accepted the invitation and enjoyed the lunch and the fellowship of the gathering.

“I know that I speak for everyone in expressing appreciation to the Southside WMU for such a wonderful lunch and for the recognition and appreciation for what these men and women do every day to keep Troy safe and our residents secure,” Lunsford said.

“It’s always rewarding to know that what you do does not go unnoticed.”

Juanita Rogers, a member of the WMU Cox Group, said the Cox, Stephens, West and Mary Ann groups worked together to plan, prepare and carry out the appreciation luncheon.

“We all recognize what our law enforcement officers and fire fighters do to take care of our city and keep us safe,” she said.

“Everyone appreciates them but we don’t let them know as often as we should. This luncheon is just one way to say ‘thank you for all you do.’”

Rogers said the luncheon was the first of its kind at Southside Baptist Church, but the WMU is considering making the luncheon an annual event.

“Even if the luncheon is an annual event, we won’t stop there in expressing our appreciation to our law enforcement officers and fire fighters for all they do,” she said.

Rogers said the WMU is a mission-minded organization that supports missions at home and abroad.

“The WMU of Southside Baptist Church supports the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering and the Kathleen Mallory Mission Offering each year,” Rogers said.

“We also have other mission projects including local projects to provide help to those in need. Our mission is missions and we certainly have a mission here at home, too.”