HandsOn Montgomery Backs the Blue

Artist Joel Kelly presents his painting to Chief Finley.

HandsOn Montgomery is an organization dedicated to mobilizing volunteers and connecting people. They also hope to build a strong, caring community. To them, the community includes law enforcement. They wanted to express thanks to the public servants who put on badges and put themselves in harm’s way every day, and they encouraged the River Region to do the same.

That started the “Back the Blue” program. Organizers say they’ve had over 3,500 volunteers across the River Region support the officers by wearing blue clothing, displaying blue lights on their homes, even organizing events and rallies at schools to educate students on what officers go through and why they shouldn’t be scared of them.

HandsOn also commissioned a local artist to paint a portrait to portrayed the message of “Back the Blue,” which was presented to Montgomery Police Chief Ernest Finley as a special and unique thank you. The artist, Joel Kelly, painted the Montgomery State Capitol when it was lit up in blue to honor officers.

“These men in blue, these men and women in blue, do so much for us that we don’t see that we don’t notice day to day,” says Kelly. “They’re families go through so much that we take for granted. But we appreciate what they do.”

“But we want to hear those thank you’s,” says Chief Finley. “And so every opportunity that we get, we got to show love to the officers. To let them know that it’s not a thankless job. But they get out there each and every day just to, to know that you may not get that smile, you may not get that thank you. But the community as a whole is thanking us.”

Handson staff also made black and blue striped ribbons to show officer support. Anyone can stop by and get a ribbon. Chief Finley also said he will allow his officers to wear the ribbons on their uniforms for the month of September.