The response to a plea for help for a longtime Andalusia Police Department officer who recently was diagnosed with cancer has been overwhelming.

On Friday, the Andalusia Police Department announced benefits to help longtime officer Charles “Bubba” Bailey. By Sunday night, those benefits had grown in size and scope.

Bailey served the residents of Andalusia for 34-plus years. He is known and loved for his sunny personality, and his humorous dances while directing traffic. He became even more famous when he “starred” in a video with two Australian comics.

“The amount of support we have received so far for our plans/events and fundraising efforts to help (the Baileys) has been amazing,” said Brandy Hudson, of the APD’s Behind the Blue organization. “We appreciate all of the offers and will be working to organize more events and lay out plans.”

The APD will hold a benefit car wash this Sat., May 28, from 7 a.m. until noon at the APD.

Cost for the car wash is $5 per car.

A bake sale also is planned for Saturday, and there will be a raffle for Auburn and Alabama gift baskets, and a “split the pot” event.

On Monday, supporters also began pre-selling “bubbasbrigade” T-shirts online.

Additionally, officers will be pre-selling tickets for barbecue sandwich bags or barbecue plates to be picked up at a benefit concert for Bailey on June 11, at Springdale from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Cost of tickets for barbecue sandwich bags is $8 and barbecue plates are $10.

At lunchtime yesterday, more than 200 people had shared the original link to the event on the Star-News Facebook page.