Nashville, Tenn. ( May 4, 2005) – Cops and Jocks are joining forces in Mt. Juliet to raise money for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) on Tuesday, May 24. The event, which pits police and sheriff officers from Mt. Juliet Police and Wilson County against entertainment and sports celebrities, marks the sixth year the forces have combined to combat the lethal combination of drinking and driving.

To date Vince Gill, Benji Olson, Rocky Boiman, Daryl Singletary, Jeff Carson, and others are among the luminaries slated to participate in the evening’s events which will also include a silent and live auction.

“Alcohol and driving just do not mix,” said Lt. Wesley Neely of the Mt. Juliet Police Department, who initiated the annual softball competition five years ago. “Senseless automobile accidents involving alcohol continue to plague every community. We have seen how this celebrity driven event continues to benefit our community year after year. It’s rewarding to see such talent come forth to raise money for such a worthwhile cause.”

What started as a tragic accident in Wilson Country has lead to an annual event and fundraiser. Joyce and Jennifer Bennett, both then residents of Mt. Juliet, Tenn., were killed by a drunk driver traveling on Lebanon Road in December 1998. The accident rocked the docile world of Mt. Juliet and drew attention to a blatant and growing problem nationwide.

In response to the accident and as a goodwill effort, Lt. Neely called a friend to brainstorm about what they could do in the community to counter such atrocities as drunk driving. The friend, who worked at a radio station, suggested they confront the issue of Drunk Driving head on by initiating some sort of fundraiser for charity such as MADD.

That initiative, now known as the annual Cops and Jocks Celebrity Softball Game, has grown into an informal evening mixing softball with a silent and live auction.

Lt. Neely credited local businesses for helping keep the initiative moving forward. “We are honored to have Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire and 103 WKDF back again this year as sponsors. It’s encouraging to see companies, such as these that call Nashville home -- take an interest in these grassroots events.”

Tickets for the 6th Annual Cops and Jocks Celebrity Softball Game may be purchased at all Wilson Bank & Trust locations beginning Wednesday, May 4. Tickets are $10 for adults; $5 for children under the age of 10.

For more information, please visit: www.copsandjocks.com or call 615-695-5800.