CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – (CLARKSVILLENOW) During his seven years as School Resource Officer (SRO) at Richview Middle School, Montgomery County Deputy Richard Brown has been raising money for student activities through brownie bake sales. Through his efforts he has raised over $50,000 for student activities. This week will be his last as Deputy Brown retires this year.
“It’s really made an impact on all the students,” said Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sandra Brandon.
Deputy Brown learned to cook in the U.S. Coast Guard. When he started working as a resource officer, he started bringing in home baked goods to share with students and staff.
He soon got the idea to sell his popular brownies to raise funds for student clubs and campus organizations that needed help.
Brown’s first sale was a benefit for the PASS class to travel to Washington DC for a National History Day competition.
Since then, he has raised funds for basketball and dance team uniforms, choir supplies and risers, shirts and entry fees for the running club, supplies and travel expenses for the robotics club, and the end of the year dance for 8th graders.
Brown has conducted similar bake sales for Clarksville High School, where he also served as SRO.
“There’s a lot of affection for Deputy Brown. The students love him and as he gets ready to retire there’s a lot of excitement for his final bake sale,” Brandon said.
Brown was named Middle School SRO of the year in 2015 when he was recognized for mentoring struggling students.
Proceeds from Brown’s final bake sale on Friday, March 15 brought the grand total dollars raised to $50,000.
Richview Middle School Principal Lisa Clark called the final bake sale bittersweet.
“We’re glad Deputy Brown gets to go enjoy things he hasn’t been able to do but it’s sad because we won’t have him around, interacting with our students and he will be missed,” Clark said.