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‘Fly the Coop’ ride planned to benefit wounded officer
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COVINGTON, Ga. - Trucks, cars and motorcycles will hit the road Sept. 29 to support wounded Covington Police Department Officer Matt Cooper.

Organizers of the “Fly the Coop” event say they hope to raise at least $50,000 for Officer Cooper and his family.

According to organizer Jonathan Fuqua, of the Covington Fire Department, any vehicle can register to take part in what he describes as the “largest motorcycle ride that has ever happened in Newton County” for $15.

Fuqua said he has heard from people from as far away as Orlando, Florida, as well as motorcycle clubs, law enforcement officers and businesses including Georgia Jeepers and Leadfoot Diesel.

Fuqua said he expects this number to grow as advertisements hit local radio stations.

The ride will be led by Officer Cooper’s car and escorted by the Newton County Sheriff’s Office and Loganville Police Department.

Registration for the “Fly the Coop Ride” will begin at the 5 O’clock Sports Bar & Grill/Kmart parking lot in Covington.

The route of the ride is not yet finalized, but vehicles will depart the lot at 10 a.m. and travel into Loganville, through Monroe and Social Circle before returning to Covington.

Motorists will return to 5 O’clock Sports Bar & Grill where a 50/50 raffle and auction will feature donated products and services from local businesses including a $30,000 water feature from “Pond Guy of the South,” Tommy Hill.

Musical guests Chris, John and Scott and Mojo Avenue will provide live entertainment for the event.

Fuqua said, “It doesn’t matter what uniform you wear ... We’re all brothers and sisters. They watch our back and we watch theirs.”

Fuqua said there are sponsorship opportunities are available for $100 a spot. He said interested businesses can register to support the “Fly the Coop” ride until Sept. 22 by emailing logos to him or rideforofficercooper@yahoo.com. Sponsorship payments and donations can be made on PayPal.meforteam/coop.

For more information on how to get involved in the ride visit the “Flying the Coop Benefit for Officer Cooper” Facebook page