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Adopt-A-Wish Sponsors
The Missouri State Highway Patrol has been involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Missouri for several years now. Each year, the Information Systems Division has a chili day in which all proceeds benefit Make-A-Wish kids.
In the summer of 2004, we were contacted by Make-A-Wish because they needed physical labor help. The goal to assemble two huge play sets for two very special Wish Kids! Due to the magnitude and the size of these projects, I sent out an all-request bulletin to the employees of Troop F and the General Headquarters Building in Jefferson City. It did not take long before Troop F officers had their team, Special Construction Response Team #1 (S.C.R.T. #1) established and ready for their mission in Centralia, Missouri. Sixteen very large boxes with instructions and very small pictures were supplied, and by the time Rebecca came home from school, these special officers were able to witness the outcome of their labor for the day Watching Rebecca and her sister smile and giggle as they played together on the play set.
S.C.R.T #2 was also activated to do the same for a little girl named Cayla, who lives in Auxvasse, Missouri. On April 15, 2004, the team opened 20 large boxes. Well, that day turned out to be very windy, and the tops of the boxes that were marked #1 of 20, etc, all began to blow away! Did this deter our team? Of course not! Nine hours later, little Cayla was finally able to go down her new slide, while her new 21 "siblings" climbed all over the play set.
As the Information Systems Division planned their December 2004 Chili Day fundraiser, we thought, "Why not try to sponsor a local child's Wish to go to Disney World?" Another e-mail went out to all Divisions and Troops asking for their help so we could raise enough to send a girl named Raven to Disney World. The Highway Patrol came together again more than ever! Each Division Troop F, Troop D, and Troop G participated and we had bake sales, raffles, dress-down days, and Christmas Home Tours. To top it off, the Troop D Lieutenant challenged his Troop that if it raised $1,000, then he would shave his head. Sure enough, Troop D came through and raised the money. Even the media got involved, as they filmed Lieutenant Rothrock's head-shaving extravaganza.
Our employees were so excited that they had exceeded the goal for sponsoring Raven's wish that everyone wanted to keep going so we could sponsor another child. The commitment and devotion that went into this project was overwhelming. We were not only able to raise enough to send Raven to Disney World, but we were also able to send a boy from Springfield named Jordan. The Highway Patrol presented Raven and Jordan with extra-large tickets to Disney World, luggage, cameras, and some Highway Patrol gear for their trip.
On the day we presented the kids with their goodies, Jordan found a lifelong friend in Captain John Prine, whom Jordan dubbed –Officer John. Jordan didn't seem interested in the presentation of the gifts, or the TV cameras. All he wanted to do was to be close to his new buddy, Officer John. It was so heartwarming; it was the best part of the day! After the presentation, we took the families to lunch, and then Jordan and Officer John snuck out for a little time together. They went to the Highway Patrol Museum, and when we caught up with them later, it seemed as though Jordan was at Disney World already!
The Missouri State Highway Patrol is honored to participate with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Missouri to fulfill wishes for these special kids. If we can give these brave children just a little time to be just "kids," with no doctors, no nurses, no treatments, and no needles, then we are more powerful than we could ever imagine.
Our uniformed patrolmen work every day to protect and serve the citizens of Missouri and those traveling through our state. Indirectly, the civilian employees are working in the background to help these officers. Being involved with Make-A-Wish has brought us all together in a way that many have not experienced before.
Cheryl Crocker
Missouri State Highway Patrol
Information Systems Division
Jefferson City, Missouri
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