CUMMING — Students are not the only ones who know how to tailgate and represent their schools.

The Forsyth County Retired Educators Association began its new year with a “Tailgating Party” event Oct. 2, for which everyone was asked to wear their favorite school’s jersey or colors.

The group is attempting to raise $3,500 for the nonprofit Healing 4 Heroes, an organization that provides free service dogs to wounded veterans and those dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injuries.

Dogs are rescued from local animal shelters.

Piper Hill, the founder of the nonprofit, attended the meeting with her dog, Remy, to explain the work of the state project this year, according to the association.

Contributions totaled $443, including donations from a book sale project that had a dual purpose of raising money for Healing 4 Heroes and books for the Kairos Prison Ministry.

The association also donated $503 to Devon Gales, the Southern university football player who suffered a spinal injury Sept. 26 during a game against the University of Georgia.

The group is open to all retired teachers, supervisors, allied professionals, administrators and office personnel who have worked in the field of education, regardless of where they were employed.

The next meeting will be Nov. 6 at the Academies for Creative Learning building, behind the Forsyth County Board of Education Administrative Building on Dahlonega Highway.

District 25 State House Rep. Mike Dudgeon will attend the meeting to explain what educational issues he expects the legislature to address in 2016.

In recognition of Veterans Day, members Jerry Hogan and Buddy Childs will share their recent military reunion experiences.

Members will also be celebrating Georgia Retired Teachers Day, which Gov. Nathan Deal has proclaimed will be Nov. 1.

Social time begins at 10:30 a.m., followed by the business section at 11 a.m.