After hearing about the death of Hall County Deputy Nicolas Blane Dixon, who was shot and killed on Sunday, dozens of Gainesville businesses are donating to help support his family.
Dixon was married and a father of two young boys.
On Tuesday, July 9, Milton Martin Toyota near Oakwood told The Times it was donating a vehicle and covering all taxes and fees for the Dixon family.
“We want to show our support for this family but also show our gratitude to our law enforcement and their families,” said Emily Hayes, spokeswoman for the dealership. “We hope to encourage and challenge other businesses to show support and to rally together as a community of support for her and to honor all the men and women who serve here.”
The dealership is working with its insurance company, Insurance Office of America, to cover insurance for the vehicle for the next year. Universal Roofing and Construction in Buford has offered to pay for gas for the family for a year, according to Hayes. Gainesville's Pro Auto Imports has also offered free auto-mechanic services for a year for Dixon's family.
Brandi Roberts, who knows Stephanie more than she knew Blane, as he was called, set a $2,500 goal on a GoFundMe account. The fundraiser blew beyond its goal in about 14 hours on Tuesday, July 9, and raised about $3,000 the first day.
On Wednesday, the goal had been bumped to $6,500 as the amount raised by 9 a.m. reached more than $5,200. The goal had again been raised to $9,500 after locals raised more than $8,400 by mid-morning on Thursday.
She started the account after being contacted by someone who wanted to make a donation but was concerned about fraudulent online sites.
“More and more people started asking ‘What can we do?’ and ‘Can we make donations?’” Roberts said.
“There’s a lot of things coming up real soon that (Stephanie) is going to have to handle alone, like shopping for school supplies. (There are) things you take for granted when you’re a couple and you can lean on your spouse to take care of some things.”
From Monday, July 8 through Saturday, July 13, New Vision Tattoo in downtown Gainesville will contribute 20% of its piercing sales and all tips given to the shop’s owner, to the Dixons. The business will additionally accept individual donations for the family.
“A lot of the Dixons are clients here,” Bethany Johnson, the shop’s piercer said. “We know a lot of them really well, so we thought we’d do something to give back to the family and young kids.”
Shortly after opening on Monday, July 8, Downtown Drafts on the square announced that it would donate 25% of sales to the Dixon family.
Lauren Williams, general manager of Downtown Drafts, said the shop hoped to “honor his memory and service for all that live in Gainesville.”
“I feel like as a whole, Gainesville is very loyal to the people who live here,” she said. “If we were in that position, people would do the same for us. I just think it’s the right thing to do, to come together as a community and take care of our own.”
Hall County Sheriff’s Office has opened a fund for the Dixon family at Peach State Bank and Trust on Washington Street in Gainesville.
Donations can be dropped off at 325 Washington St., Gainesville, or mailed to Peach State Bank and Trust, P.O. Box 290, Gainesville, GA 30503-9835. Checks should be made payable to the Deputy Nicolas Blane Dixon Memorial Fund.
All donations into the fund will go directly to the family, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
In addition to the fund, Peach State Bank has placed a collection box in its lobby for notes, cards and other gestures to be left for the Dixon family, according to bank President Ron Quinn.
Other businesses are organizing their own fundraisers for the family.
On Wednesday, July 10, Southern Baked Pie Company in Gainesville will give a percentage of its daily earnings to the Dixons, according to Meredith Owings, the Gainesville location’s manager.
The Beast Sports Center on Grove Street in Gainesville is accepting donations and matching them dollar for dollar for the next two weeks. The cash will be donated directly to the family, according to gym owner Stephanie Williams.
Climate Solutions Heating & Air on Cleveland Highway will donate a portion of this week’s sales to the Dixon family, according to owner Shane Biddy. Biddy also owns The Barbecue Depot and is organizing a barbecue fundraiser for the family. The date has not been set, but Biddy is working with a local church.
Southern Grace, an event business, florist and boutique on Main Street in Flowery Branch, is donating 20% of all sales this week to the Dixon family, according to owner Tracy L. Youngblood-McDaniel.
The Browns Bridge Road Exxon gas station is donating 2 cents of every gallon of fuel sold at the business to the family through the end of the month, according to its Facebook post.
Bo Clark, owner of the Bosquito pest control and lawn care business, is donating half of the proceeds from all new clients in the next two weeks to the Dixon family.
Melanie Brock, owner of Casually Caroline Jewelry Boutique, is donating 10% of all purchases made through Friday, July 12, to the family.
Stoney’s Family Restaurant in Clarkesville is donating 10% all sales through Monday, July 15, to the Dixons, according to its Facebook post.
Joyce Merck Florist on Broad Street in Gainesville is selling black and blue bows for $10, and half of the proceeds will be donated to the Dixons.
Barrett’s Baked Goods in Buford is donating 10 percent of its proceeds on Saturday, July 10, to the family and accepting donations, according to owner Jackie Barrett.
Twisted Salon in Gainesville has ordered 400 personalized silicone wristbands that will be available July 20. The salon is asking for donations of any amount to honor Dixon in order to receive a wristband, with all proceeds going directly to the family, according to its Facebook post.
Tiffany Holmes Photography is donating all proceeds from 15-minute benefit photo sessions through spring 2020, according to Holmes.
The Inked Pig will donate 10% of proceeds from sales at the restaurant July 10, to the Dixon family, according to co-owner Andrew Elliott.
Gypsy Threads Boutique in Gainesville is donating 10% of this week’s sales to the family.
Gainesville-based boutique Dress Up is donating 10% of proceeds from sales made Tuesday through Friday, July 12, to the family, according to spokeswoman Hillary Harper.
Level Up Haircuts in Gainesville is donating 50% of all proceeds from shirt and visor sales to the Dixon family. The shop is also offering $11 haircuts to all law enforcement officials that plan to attend the funeral or vigil for Dixon.
Haydee’s Cafe and Haydee’s Meat Market in Oakwood is donating a portion of its sales from July 15-19 to the Dixon family, according to owner Luis Sepulveda.
Dermatology Associates of Northeast Georgia on Enota Drive in Gainesville is donating $500 each month for the rest of the year to help with expenses, according to Sheryl Rabb, who manages the practice with her husband.
Battle of the Heroes, an annual flag football fundraiser for The Easton Foundation in Habersham County, will ask for donations before and after the game for the Dixon family, according to organizer Casey Lizama. They also invite the family to attend the event as VIP guests.
The Georgia Law Enforcement Organization is selling T-shirts in honor of Dixon. All of the proceeds from sales will go to his family.
Horse Country, a Western apparel store in Buford, is donating 10 percent of its sales on Saturday, July 13, to the Dixons, according to store owner Dennis Butler.
Murrayville Family Chiropractic is offering free chiropractic care to police officers, firemen and their families.
MCSImprint is donating 10% of all imprinting sales to the Dixon family through the end of August, according to owner Christen Summerour.
Frazier’s Harley-Davidson in Buford is making a donation to the Dixon family and is accepting donations at its dealership through Saturday, July 13.
Image Boutique on Washington Street in Gainesville is donating 10% of its sales for the rest of the week to the Dixons.
Pro Auto Imports has offered the Dixon family free auto-mechanic service for one year, according to owners Kim and Rich Scott.
Brandi Costlow Roberts has organized a GoFundMe for the Dixon family.
Señor Fiesta locations in Gainesville and Dawsonville will donate a portion of their Wednesday, July 10, sales to the family.
Lanier Tent Rental, Oakwood Occasions and Encore Elite Events will donate a portion of their proceeds for the week to the Dixons, according to Dannella Burnett.
Kacy Stewart, a Suwanee-based real estate agent who is a former Hall County Sheriff’s Office deputy, is donated $500 to the Dixon family after each closing for the rest of 2019.
Universal Roofing and Construction, based in Buford, is donating the money to cover gas for the Dixon family for a year, according to Emily Hayes at Milton Martin Toyota, and Gainesville-based Bruce Miller Productions donated an additional $500.
Papa's Pizza To Go on Dawsonville Highway will donate 10% of its total sales on Friday, July 12, to the Dixons.
Barrett & Nichols Drywall and Paint in Gainesville is donating $500 each month for the rest of the year to the Deputy Nicolas Blane Dixon Memorial Fund, according to Roy Barrett.
Josh Shiflett, owner of Patrol Upfitters in Baldwin, will donate 10% of all individual sales made July 15-19 to the Dixon family.
Upsy Daisy in Gainesville is donating 10% of its sales through Saturday, July 13, according to Main Street Gainesville.
Against The Clock in Gainesville is donating 15% of its sales through the weekend, according to Main Street Gainesville.
Johnny’s Barbecue in Gainesville is accepting donations for the Dixon family and matching a portion for the next three weeks.
Musician Roger Moore is playing at Loco's Grill & Pub in Gainesville and donating his fee and tips to the Dixons. The restaurant is also donating, according to Moore.
Carniceria Tapatia Taqueria on Browns Bridge Road is donating the proceeds from taco sales Wednesday, July 10.
Head Tree Service is donating a portion of its monthly profits to the Dixon family fund, according to Jason Head.
Computer Hospital on Atlanta Highway in Gainesville is donating a portion of its sales from Wednesday to Saturday, July 10-13, to the Dixon family.
BrohmTEK Information Technology Services based in downtown Gainesville is donating 20% of this week’s sales and support proceeds to the Dixons, according to owners.
Vine and Cheese on Thompson Bridge Road in Gainesville has organized a California cabernet wine tasting from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, July 13. All proceeds will go to the Dixon family.
The Hairston Co. is offering all Hall County Sheriff's Office employees a full day of coaching and empowerment training for free, according to Bo Hairston.
The Gainesville Chapter of Experimental Aircraft Association 611 has donated $1,000 from the proceeds of its recent Cracker Fly-in to the Dixon memorial fund.
Sherry’s Bait and Barbecue on Dawsonville Highway is donating 10 percent of its sales on Saturday, July 13, to the Dixon family.
Consign & Design Interiors in Flowery Branch is donating a percentage of sales through Saturday to the Dixon family.
Autumnwood Co. in Gainesville is making “blue line” soap in honor of Deputy Dixon and will donate 50% of all purchases of the soap to the family.
Everlasting Films will donate 10% of all sales through the rest of the year to the Dixon family.
Lowe’s in Gainesville is offering any help it can to the Dixon family, including repair upgrade or replacement services, according to pro services supervisor Eusebio Avila.
The Hall County Republican Party will be donating $500 to the Dixon Family and is hosting a “Celebrate America Event” on Saturday, July 13, at Longwood Park to raise more funds for the family.
Tigers Baseball is collecting donations for the Dixon family. Dixon’s older son played for the team, according to Geoff Chaffin.
HomeTown Grill in Flowery Branch is collecting donations for the family through July 29.
The MOMS Club of Gainesville is collecting donations of diapers, wipes, gift cards and cash for the Dixon family, according to President Jennifer LaRose.
Chicken Salad Chick on Dawsonville Highway in Gainesville is donating 10 percent of sales on Tuesday, July 16, to the Dixons.
Care for Cops has donated $2,000 to Dixon’s family.
If your organization is donating to the Dixon family, reach out to life@gainesvilletimes.com. Times staff Jeff Gill, Nick Bowman and Layne Saliba contributed to this story. This story has been updated from its original version.
