RINCON — Effingham Heroes Inc. keeps proving that it is nuts about supporting law enforcement officers and other first responders.

During the Rincon Spring Fair on April 2-11, the 501(c)(3) organization made $1,933.24 in profit from boiled peanut sales. The peanut stand was manned by volunteers.

“That was highly successful and we have a lot of other things going on,” Effingham Heroes founder Susie Davis said.

The purpose of Effingham Heroes, operated by a 12-member board of directors led by Davis, is to show support and foster community respect for first responders. One of its primary goals is to fund a local Teal House, a refuge for victims of sexual assault and child abuse.

“I, personally, would like a freestanding house,” Davis said. “I think it’s needed because of the nature of the visits that would be made to that house. I think the (State of Georgia) calls for a single entrance to the building.”

Jonathan Murrell, chief of the Rincon Police Department, recently said that cases of abuse in Effingham County are trending upward. Local victims are currently sent to Teal House locations in Statesboro and Savannah.

The Teal House provides forensic interviews, crisis response, advocacy and referrals.

As part of its effort to fund a Teal House outlet, Effingham Heroes has been selling blue light bulbs that are meant to be a show of solidarity with law enforcement officers. Three cases of the bulbs remain.

The organization also sells vinyl decals for $5 that show support for first responders.

 Effingham Heroes is looking to boost its fundraising efforts through corporate sponsorships. It is also set to take the lead in a parade associated with the Rincon Freedom Festival on June 26. 

“With the Freedom Festival, we are going to do a dunking booth for money raising,” Davis said. “We’ll probably pull out the boiled peanuts again, too. We’ll see.”

Effingham Heroes sold 300 pounds of boiled peanuts at the Rincon Spring Fair. Davis’ husband, Don, cooked many of them.

The goobers were dispensed in bags that cost $5. 

“We sold out every night,” Mrs. Davis said. “It turned out to be very labor intensive but we got it done. (Don) was a trooper. He did a great job.

“Steve (Yekel) helped transport them. We could have sold another two hundred pounds.” 

An August concert is another fundraiser under consideration. Davis is currently looking to book a Georgia artist for the occasion.

To learn more about Effingham Heroes, email effinghamheroes@gmail.com, call Susie Davis at (912) 675-0283 or mail Effingham Heroes at P.O. Box 1622, Rincon, Ga. 31326.