“Beyond the Call of Duty Recipients Show Bravery with Compassion”
Atlanta, Georgia – September 4, 2025 – This has been a particularly difficult year in metro Atlanta for first responders. Several firefighters were injured battling life-threatening blazes in DeKalb and Gwinnett counties, a DeKalb County officer was lost in the line of duty during a shooting attack on the Centers for Disease Control while the City of South Fulton lost an officer in a deadly head on collision with a motorist. “This is the reason I started the September 11th First Responders Appreciation Day in 2002,” says Audraine Jackson, founder of J&V Cares, Inc. “People will thank military veterans for their service but tend to take for granted those who answer the call daily when we dial 9-1-1. They are the heroes who put their lives on the line for us every day. We have an obligation to show our appreciation.” In 2023 Jackson successfully lobbied the State of Georgia to designate September 11th as First Responders Appreciation Day in the state Bill Signage. J&V Cares, Inc., the nonprofit she founded will honor first responders in the City of Atlanta for the third annual Beyond the Call of Duty awards held during the 24th Annual September 11th First Responders Appreciation Day, Thursday, September 11, 2025 at various locations beginning at 10:00am with Beyond the Call of Duty scheduled at 11:30am. Honorees include Officer Lamar D. Jacobs who saved many lives at Peachtree Center when he thwarted the actions of an active shooter during a busy lunch rush. Jacobs was off-duty and eating lunch when he heard shots go off. Also being honored is Officer Alexis D. Dixon who stopped a juvenile from attempting to commit suicide by jumping off the roof of a building during a mental health crisis. Dixon continued to show kindness and support which led to the juvenile receiving treatment from EMT’s on the scene and eventually being transported to the hospital for further treatment.
Recipients to be honored during the 24th Annual September 11th First Responders Appreciation Day in the City of Atlanta include:
Officer Lamar D. Jacobs, Formerly Zone 1: Thwarted an active shooter
Officer Alexis D. Dixon, Zone 6: Stopped a potential suicide crisis
The September 11th First Responders Appreciation program not only shows gratitude, it is a recognition program that highlights heroic acts of first responders who go above and beyond the call of duty. In addition to praying for their safety and serving catered food, media interviews are arranged to tell their story on air and in print. This part of the program works to educate the community about dangers first responders face resulting in community appreciation, increased morale among rank and file and enhancing the first responder’s image among the general public. The following is the 2025 first responder appreciation event details for the City of Atlanta:
September 10, 2024, 10:00am, City of Atlanta Police and Fire – Various Locations
WHO: J&V Cares, Inc.
WHAT: 24th Annual September 11th First Responders Appreciation Day
3rd Annual Beyond the Call of Duty Awards
WHEN: Thursday, September 11, 2025, 10:00 am [for Fire Station #25]
WHERE: Various Locations
Beyond the Call of Duty Awards presentation at 11:30 am
City of Atlanta Public Safety Headquarters [Phone: (404) 546-2452]
226 Peachtree Street SW
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
About J&V Cares, Inc.
J&V Cares is a non-profit organization based in Atlanta, GA whose goal is to administer community-based programs designed to promote recognition of first responders and bring joy into the lives of the bereaved who experience the recent loss of a loved one. The organization is named for James and Victoria Jackson, a loving couple from Atlanta whose lives were committed to giving back to those less fortunate and often overlooked. An entrepreneur, James often hired vets returning from war who experienced PTSD and were unable to find steady employment. He also gave opportunities to recovering drug addicts who had trouble finding employment. Victoria was a stay-at-home mother who raised six children. As a community activist she marched and fought for civil and voting rights while working diligently to provide needed textbooks denied to a local school. She also supported young people newly entering the ministry providing food and small cash donations to ease their journey. The compassion this couple showed to others strengthen their community. Their daughter, Audraine Jackson founded J&V Cares, Inc. to administer two annual community programs, the 9-11 First Responders Appreciation program and the Flowers to Widows Valentine’s Day program in 2002. J&V Cares, Inc. tag line is “compassion is strength.” (J&V Cares Inc.)
J&V Cares, Inc. is a federally registered 501C3 organization.
Last updated on September 6, 2025
You must be logged in to post a comment.