The parents of recently injured Deputy Wesley Atha have organized a fundraising campaign to purchase these vests for every county deputy. Their fundraising goal is $113,000. Each vest costs between $500-$700, depending on the size. Each Friday The Covington News will publish a list of individuals, businesses and civic groups who have donated to the cause that week as well as the total amount raised. Donations are tax deductible. Checks should be made payable to Newton Co. Sheriff's Office and earmarked for safety vests and equipment. Please mail donations to NCSO c/o April Jones, 15151 Alcovy Road, Covington, Ga. 30014.

Donors: Stan and Dana Hall, David and Melba O’Kelley, Kenneth G. Williams, Scott Hubbard, Neil Harris, Neil and Joane Derrick, Marshall and Dawn Atha, Call and Go Bail Bonding, Roger and Sandra Shortridge, Mr. and Mrs. Tony Webb, Cathy Cowan, Mary Vincent Kraft, Dan U. Aaron, Ann Hodges, Barbara Dingler, BB&T (Main Branch), Becky Harris, Bonnie Gilbert, Bulldog Tire Company, Gary Massey Agency, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Moody, Allan Vigil Ford Lincoln Mercury, Call and Go Bail Bonding, Cathy Cowan, The Covington News, Dan. U. Aaron, David and Melba O'Kelley, Dusty Atha, Ginn Chevrolet, Ginn Chrylser Jeep Dodge, Susan Sweeney, Bonnie Gilbert, Josie Goode Sunday School Class at First United Methodist Church of Covington, Joy Beariers Estherian Sunday School Class First Baptist Church of Covington, Kenneth G. Williams, Lance and Latrelle Cawthon, Steve and Erin Mayfield, Matthew Harris, Spencer Boyd, James and Ann Mills, William and Bertie Hardy, Corbett and Jackie Smith, Ed Minge, Lee Payne Attorney at Law, Newton Federal Bank, Eastside High School, Gary C. Moseley Inc., Alcovy High School, the Arnold Fund, Travis Hampton DMD, Bill and Gayle Norton, Walter and Barbara Toner, Guy Evans, Hugh J. Steele, Daisy Hunt, Timothy and Marianne Calvin, William and Gail Brown, James Butler, Homer and Nancy Holifield, Ann Parker, Mary Edwards, Mary Kriendlekamp, Mary Vincent Kraft, Matthew and Ida Harris, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Cook, Mr. and Mrs. Tony Webb, Neil Harris, Roger and Sandra Shortridge, Scott Hubbard, Spencer Boyd, Stan and Dana Hall, Susan Sweeney, Tony and Donna Harris, Walker and Rosemary Harris, Trudy Harris, Becky Harris, Mock Pallet Company, Pace Cars Inc., Billy and Nancy Morris, Friendship Class of First United Methodist, Betty Jo Marks, Loyal Gas Inc., David and Joyce Taylor, Jones Custom Homes/Jones Ferns, David and Martha Smith, Robert and Myrna Cason, Knight and Tabb Insurance Agency, Bruce and Lynn Tamplin, Cline Ranch, William and Theodosia Wade, Maxine Norcutt, Nancy East, Dr. and Mrs. Carlos Meyer, Tom and Jan Jentzen, Jakie A. Hogan, James and Patricia Bryan, Kiwanis Club of Covington, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 32, Agnes Blalock, football raffle, Greer Stansfield & Turner LLP, A.J. and Anne Spillers, Frances Quinn Hobgood, John and Gloria Womack, Payton E. Ward, Wilbur and Musette Fisher, Barbara Banks, H. Gene Williams, Jerry Gilbert, Marty and Theresa Smallwood, Gene and Margaret Wallace, Jere and Jacqueline Rutberg, Elsie Crawford, B. Bill, W. Jackson, Wayne and Pam Vaughn, J. Douglas and Carole Doster, People’s Bank, William and Mary O’Brien, Bob Wheeler of Wheeler Funeral Home, Jeanie Howell, Harnestees Sunday School Class at Porterdale Methodist Church, Homer and Ruby Sharp, Rachel McCart, Robert and Annette Harmon, Chuck Berry, Mr. and Mrs. Derrell Carnes, Terry and Faye Schell, Billy and Geina Stanton, Joe L. Richardson, David and Connie Waller and the Adult IV Murphy’s Gang of First Baptist Church, Gum Creek Presbyterian Church Women (Jane Parker), R.C. Lewis, Gary and Linda Curtis, Mary C. Larimer, David and Elaine Ellis, Elizabeth Carter, JF and MG Wheeler, Raymond and Frances Brown, Benny and Alice Phillips, Carlene L. Overstreet, Clara R. Deemer, Karen Long, Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Dial, B.L. and D Tomlin, Betty Dunn, Charlotte C. Maxwell, Cornelia Kitchens, Almon and Kristie Sticher, Anna Nichols, Newton County Democratic Executive Committee, John and Diane Bowers, Donald and Robin Hillman, Claude and Eva Sitton, Flora M. Pullin, The Service Guild of Covington, Georgianna Toole, Edward and Lenora Needham, Lee Aldridge, Samuel and Lucy Henderson, Brenda K. Rogers, Tony and Jane Peters, James and Beth Smith, Thomas and Libby Hunt, Mr. and Mrs. James Carter, Allan and Margie Rowe, Marshall and Cathy Ginn, Arthur Crawford, Frances Quinn Riley, Lydia C. Parker, Stuart Hamilton, Thomas and Linda Castleberry, Disabled American Veterans Newton/Rockdale Chapter, Mr. and Mrs. B.M. Costley, Timothy and Kathy Stewart, Michaela and Sheryl Hamner, Hazel Parish, Betty McIntosh, American Legion Post 32, Betty Standard, Jim Stalvey’s Restaurant, Mr. and Mrs. Dewey Cason, E. Anne Adams, Larry and Shirley Beasley, United Bank of Covington, Sharon Pope, Jerry and Jo Beth Simons, LTC and Mrs. Johnston, Willie and Anita Still, Mickey and Vickie Kitchens, George and Sharon Cooper, Steve and Shelia Cash, Elizabeth Cawthon, Charles and Jeanette Berry, Susan Gilbert, Terrill and Francis Kernan, Victoria Hardy, Glenda Hobbs, Richard and Marilynn Whatley, First United Methodist Church of Covington, Lars and Renee Hansen, CM Brandenburg, The Alcovyettes, Alcovy Shrine Club, Newton County Community Partnership, Donald and Linda Leach, Cosmo Joe’s, Burnie’s BBQ,  a quilt raffle, Judith Jones, Supreme Tanning, Newton County Community Partnership, Trustees Golden Fleece Lodge, Betty Allen, Jim and Barbara Honeycutt, Kenneth and Peggy Watkins, Newton County Radio Club, Mr. and Mrs. Monty Laster, Mr. and Mrs. Leon Hughes, Mr. and Mrs. HG Whitaker, James B. Hitchens, Anna Davis, WM Thomas Craig, Gardner family, Covington Elkadettes No. 1806 Zelma Stewart, John and Carolyn Estes, Willie and Anita Still, Lawrence and Rebecca Bridges, Deborah Schoch, Terry and Cathy Dyer, Snapping Shoals, Julie Digby-Mason, Suzette Pace, H.A. and Gwen Gibbs, Esther Williams, Mike, Billie Jean and Fluff Whatley, Zion Baptist Church, Arthur and Sandra Norred, Lawrence and Luenett McSwain, Carol Davis, Newton Baptist Church, Meadors Properties LLC and Robert R. Fowler III, Sam and Loucy Hay, Paul and Elizabeth Johnson, Charles and Nancy cook, Covington Veterinary Clinic, PC, Claud and Nina Doty, Joseph and Janet Couch, Covington BPOE 1806 Per Association, Ed, Charley and Rachael Needham and four anonymous donations.

This week’s donors: Ann M. May, Mary Jane Dixon, Beaver Manufacturing Co., Robert and Pamela Dew, Katherine House, David and Cherie Powell, George and Anne Bohn, the Josie Goode Sunday School Class of First Methodist Church of Covington, John Travis on behalf of the Newton County Republican Party, Elizabeth Christian on behalf of the Newton County Republican Party, the committee to reelect John Douglas (Newton County Republican Party), J.P. and M.B. Turner on behalf of the Newton County Republican Party, B. Masee Pickett on behalf of the Newton County Republican Party and the Newton County Republican Party.

This week’s total: $ 58,769