Hi Paul
We already need some more books for a few of the backpacks!
Our VCR team volunteers have been especially busy with kids
lately, unfortunately. How do I go about refilling these?
About 2 days after receiving the packs I had to help with a
7 yr old for awhile. I didn't realize there were stickers in
some of the packs. She went nuts...loved it! I couldn't get
her to sit still long enough to actually read a whole book,
but she sure loved the idea of having some of her "own"
things to take with her wherever she would be going to. So
sad.
A week later an officer ran by me carrying two packs. He had
a huge smile on his face. He said "these kids are going to
love these...this is really, really going to help. Thank you."
I realized it too late that he was most likely giving them
the whole backpack!
I immediately sent out yet another reminder on how the
backpacks are to be used. But, ohhh, there were some really
happy kids and one proud cop! I believe you'll realize it
was well worth it...mistake and all! (But I'll be sure to
continue to remind them...ONE book!)
Thank you again, Paul, What a great idea and gift to our
communities.
You & Chris rock!! :^)
Anne Strauch
Community Engagement Coordinator
Appleton Police Department
Thank you for all that you do. we, the Cornell Police
Department in Cornell, WI, are interested in receiving the
B.A.C.K. packets. we are a small community (population 1500)
in northwestern Wisconsin. our department has a Police Chief, two
full-time officers and one part-time officer. Is there a
request form to fill out or any other needed info - please
let us know.
Thank you for such a great idea - may your wings continue to
spread throughout the area.
Cornell Police Dept.
Kathy, Secretary
POLICE CHIEF WM. RIESTERER VALDERS POLICE DEPARTMENT—WONDERFUL
PROGRAM.. THANKS!
Chief Wm. Riesterer
Valders Police Department
(920) 775-9700 Phone
Keep up the good work!
Sheriff Dale Schmidt
Washington County Sheriff
Good Morning,
In regards to your email, I am a recipient of your Back Pack
program. I am the Sheriff of Kewaunee County, and have
gotten your Back Packs out to Municipal Departments, and
Rescue squads. Thank You again for all you do.
Have a great day!
Sheriff Matt Joski
Kewaunee County Sheriff's Department
Paul.
Just a quick note on a situation that occurred today.
Our department responded to a house fire in the Town of
Montello this morning. Upon arrival fire was showing from
the back of the home. All of the residents were out of the
home and standing watching as their home burned. The home
received extensive damage and is unlivable.
The home was occupied by a husband and wife and their 5
children ranging in age from 20yrs-3yrs. I arrived on scene
and spoke with the officers and firemen on scene. We then
used your program and began to give the books away. One of
the girls noticed a “Charlottes Web” book and stated she
would like to have it as the one she had just burned in the
fire. I didn’t have the heart to restrict the number of
books so I gave them the entire bag.
The family was very thankful.
The American Red Cross is attending to their needs and they
will be housed in a hotel/motel temporarily until they can
arrange long term housing.
Thanks again for supplying the book. I think it is making a
impact in the emotional issues that victims go through.
Take Care.
Sheriff Kim V. Gaffney
Marquette County Sheriff's Department
From: Angela Notz
To: withwingsandahalo@tds.net
Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2008 8:04 AM
Subject: Officer's stories involving the program
Dear Paul,
We have received the books you sent our department and thank
you for your prompt response. One of our officers, Jackie
Dunlap, is very involved in handing out books to children in
the area and she has provided two stories to share with you
and your website regarding her experiences. Here are the
stories:
I was dispatched for two children, ages 4 & 6 who walked
away from their residence. I was told their father was out
looking for them. I arrived at the residence and spoke to
the father who told me he found his children at the
playground. He explained to me that his children’s mother
left four months ago. He stated he was doing the best he
could to raise his children but stated they don’t always
listen to him. He mentioned that he was not able to work
because he did not have child care. I went to the playground
and spoke with the children. I explained to them the
importance of listening to their father and stressed that we
just wanted them to be safe. After speaking with the
children I gave them each a book. The father was extremely
grateful. The children were very happy and thanked me. They
couldn’t wait to get back home and look at their books. They
told me they would always listen to their dad.
I gave a book to a toddler who was the victim of a dog bite.
He was very tired by the time I met with him but I did get a
smile! His parents were also very appreciative.
As more books are handed out and more stories occur, I will
send them your way to share with everyone involved in the
program. Thanks again!
Michelle Peterson
From: Stuart, Emily
Sent: Friday, January 04, 2008 7:57 PM
To: Gaber, Randy
Subject: Books
Hi Asst. Chief Gaber-
I recently made use of the books supplied in the squads, and
thought I'd share the story with you!
On January 2nd, I (along with my FTO Mike Hanson) responded
to the Madison Bus Depot on Bedford to help a woman and her
four children. She had traveled from the Chicago area to
Madison on a whim to get away from an abusive boyfriend. She
said that she spent Christmas with family, but he 'caught
wind' of that, and she was fearful of what he might do to
her and her children. She said that she heard Madison was a
good place with good schools and decided to pack up all
their belongings and move here. She arrived with no ties and
no idea of what to do.
We assisted her by giving her numbers to the Salvation Army
and Battered Woman's shelter, but we didn't feel right
leaving the area until we knew what would happen to her and
her children. She has twin 3 year olds (boy & girl), a 5
year old boy and an 8 year old girl. All the children were
very polite, well spoken, and appeared to be happy to just
be with their mother. While she was on the phone with the
agencies, I thought to give the kids some books from the
squad!
I came back with the bag, and had them each pick out a book.
Their faces immediately donned smiles and they almost lined
up to get a book! The eldest daughter picked out the journal,
and said that she wanted to keep track of her 'new life'
in a new city. The younger ones picked out Dora the Explorer
books, and delightfully explained each of the characters to
me. While mom was making additional phone calls, the
youngest girl asked me to read her book to her - which I did,
and the eldest daughter and I took turns reading pages to
her. It was an 'interactive' book with flaps, and we had fun
finding out what was under the flaps. Both the mother and
children were very thankful for the gesture of the books.
Even the other patrons in the Bus Station wore smiles as I
was reading and talking with the kids! I left feeling better
about my job knowing that simple contacts aided with things
like the donated books can really make a difference. Mom
ended up making contact with a social worker from the
battered woman's shelter and was able to find housing for
the night. I welcomed her and her family to the area, and
left her with my card and asked her to call if she needed
any additional assistance.
Thank you to you and the donors of the books, I hope this
little note can help show what a difference the books made!
Respectfully,
Emily Stuart
From: Frank, Christopher
Sent: Sunday, December 30, 2007 9:24 AM
To: Balles, Joe; Gaber, Randy
Subject: With Wings and a Halo - REACH a child
On 12/29/07, I was dispatched to a two car minor injury
crash at 1700 Northport Dr. One of the vehicles had 3
children as occupants. Two of the children complained about
minor injuries. Their aunt, who was the vehicle operator,
was taken to St. Mary's hospital by Madison Fire/Rescue for
neck injuries. I had to travel to St. Mary's to issue the
aunt a citation for Operating After Revoked. When I got
there, I was able to offer each of the three children books
from the backpack that was provided in my squad. Each of the
children, who were upset that their aunt was in the hospital,
were more than happy to accept a book from me. It really
changed their moods visibly as they were very excited to
receive the books. The grandmother of the boys thanked me
profusely for the books, but suggested in the future
possibly having some more books geared to little boys (science,
dinosaurs, trucks, etc...)
PO Christopher Frank 4000
From: Slawek, Andrew
Sent: Monday, December 17, 2007 2:18 PM
To: Gaber, Randy
Subject: RE: With Wings and a halo - REACH a child
While in for a jail clearance at St.Marys, noticed three
kids waiting with mom as dad was being tended to for serious
emergency care. The kids were restless, the mother at wits
end as to what to do with the kids AND be worried about the
husband.
I let the kids each pick two books and it quieted them down
and they were busy with them for the next 1 hour giving the
mom a break. Mom says "Thank you"
Also, to a house on Webb Ave I gave two blankets and two
books to kids who use video games as their source of
babysitter/entertainment. Mom and boyfriend in confrontation
in front of kids. Kids liked the books and immediately put
the game down and went through the books like it was a new
toy for our entire time there. Mom's house cold to not pay
so much for heating, thus the blankets given also.
PO Andy Slawek
