CLARKSVILLE, TN – (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Close to 120 guests attended the annual Soldiers and Families Embraced fundraiser breakfast Thursday at the Madison Room. This was the organization’s first in-person fundraiser since 2019 because of the pandemic.

“This year our theme was ‘Embracing Our Mission,’ where we wanted to focus on the mission of SAFE, and despite challenges, we’re still pushing through and continuing to serve our community, our first responders, our military, our veterans and their families,” said SAFE Executive Director Christina Watson.

Jodi McCullah speaks to guests at the Soldiers and Families Embraced (SAFE) fundraising breakfast on, Thur. Mar. 10. (Lee Erwin).
U.S. Congressman Mark Green speaks to guests at the Soldiers and Families Embraced (SAFE) fundraising breakfast on, Thur. Mar. 10. (Lee Erwin).
Executive Director Christina Watson speaks to guests at the Soldiers and Families Embraced (SAFE) fundraising breakfast on, Thur. Mar. 10. (Lee Erwin).
Board member Rob Selkow speaks to guests at the Soldiers and Families Embraced (SAFE) fundraising breakfast on, Thur. Mar. 10. (Lee Erwin).
Todd Harvey and Charlie Koon at the Soldiers and Families Embraced (SAFE) fundraising breakfast on, Thur. Mar. 10. (Lee Erwin).
Erin and Eric Yow at the Soldiers and Families Embraced (SAFE) fundraising breakfast on, Thur. Mar. 10. (Lee Erwin).
Congressman Mark Green and Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett at the Soldiers and Families Embraced (SAFE) fundraising breakfast on, Thur. Mar. 10. (Lee Erwin).
The Soldiers and Families Embraced (SAFE) fundraising breakfast on, Thur. Mar. 10. (Lee Erwin).
Members of the SAFE staff at the Soldiers and Families Embraced (SAFE) fundraising breakfast on, Thur. Mar. 10. (Lee Erwin).
Sara and Wes Golden at the Soldiers and Families Embraced (SAFE) fundraising breakfast on, Thur. Mar. 10. (Lee Erwin).
The Soldiers and Families Embraced (SAFE) fundraising breakfast on, Thur. Mar. 10. (Lee Erwin).
Heather Fleming and Cynthia Pitts at the Soldiers and Families Embraced (SAFE) fundraising breakfast on, Thur. Mar. 10. (Lee Erwin).
The Soldiers and Families Embraced (SAFE) fundraising breakfast on, Thur. Mar. 10. (Lee Erwin).
The Soldiers and Families Embraced (SAFE) fundraising breakfast on, Thur. Mar. 10. (Lee Erwin).
Jodi McCullah, Congressman Mark Green, and Christina Watson at the Soldiers and Families Embraced (SAFE) fundraising breakfast on, Thur. Mar. 10. (Lee Erwin).
Community Hero Award given to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office U.S. at the Soldiers and Families Embraced (SAFE) fundraising breakfast on, Thur. Mar. 10. (Lee Erwin).
The Soldiers and Families Embraced (SAFE) fundraising breakfast on, Thur. Mar. 10. (Lee Erwin).
The Soldiers and Families Embraced (SAFE) fundraising breakfast on, Thur. Mar. 10. (Lee Erwin).
Community Hero Award given to the Clarksville Police Department at the Soldiers and Families Embraced (SAFE) fundraising breakfast on, Thur. Mar. 10. (Lee Erwin).
The Soldiers and Families Embraced (SAFE) fundraising breakfast on, Thur. Mar. 10. (Lee Erwin).
Community Hero Award given to the Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Service at the Soldiers and Families Embraced (SAFE) fundraising breakfast on, Thur. Mar. 10. (Lee Erwin).
Community Hero Award given to Montgomery County Emergency Medical Service at the Soldiers and Families Embraced (SAFE) fundraising breakfast on, Thur. Mar. 10. (Lee Erwin).
Community Hero Award given to Clarksville Fire Rescue at the Soldiers and Families Embraced (SAFE) fundraising breakfast on, Thur. Mar. 10. (Lee Erwin).
SAFE Community Hero Award handed out to first responders at the Soldiers and Families Embraced (SAFE) fundraising breakfast on, Thur. Mar. 10. (Lee Erwin).

Watson said enough funds were raised to offer more than 240 hours of counseling for those seeking help.

Guest speaker for the breakfast was Congressman Mark Green. Green recognized the Rev. Jodi McCullah, one of the founders of SAFE, who also spoke at the breakfast. “Jodi, this organization is amazing, and I am blown away by the lives that have been saved, not changed, but lives that have been saved. Your work here is God’s work,” Green said.

The breakfast also honored the Clarksville Police Department, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Clarksville Fire Rescue, Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Service and Montgomery County Emergency Medical Services.

Soldiers and Families Embraced offers individual, couples and youth counseling for active-duty service members, veterans and their families. SAFE also provides individual counseling for active first responders.

The offices of Soldiers and Families Embraced are at 117 N. Third St. and they are open Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. To learn more, visit soldiersandfamiliesembraced.org, email info@safetn.org, or call 931-591-3241.