Thank You from the Polly Klass Foundation
Thank You for Helping the Polly Klaas Foundation Tell-A-Friend Thank you to everyone who has worked with us during the past year to find missing children and to prevent children from going missing. Together, we address difficult, frightening, and painful needs. Matthew Davidson of Tennessee, who suffered a loss in his family, wrote, “I personally feel that pain can go two ways; it can stay inside...or it can become a badge and a beacon, and be used for good. That is what the Polly Foundation and organizations like it do, they take the pain and loss of loved ones, and turn them into a force for change, and a beacon of hope for all those who are missing kids or any loved one.” We witness this passion for the safety of our children every day. Here is what we have done...together. Americans in all 50 states joined together in a national online campaign to get the Amber Alert system implemented across the country. They repeatedly sent online letters from the Polly Klaas Foundation website to their elected officials at the state and federal level telling them to implement the Alerts. These letters were credited with getting this important legislation passed. After Amber Alerts were implemented, there was a significant threat to their federal budget allocation. Americans once again used the Polly Klaas Foundation website to send online letters to their elected officials. These online letters were credited with resolving the budget issues. Massive numbers of people continue to sign up to personally receive Amber Alerts by email and cell phones. Hundreds of thousands of parents throughout the world are teaching their children how to stay safe with abduction prevention information they receive when they order their free Child Safety Kit or Internet Safety Kit from the Polly Klaas Foundation website. Tens of thousands of people around the world receive safety information and missing child news from the Polly Klaas Foundation monthly eNews. Squidoo lenses that promote child safety, honor missing children and share personal interests are made by eVolunteers, online members, and members of the public in the Polly Klaas Foundation Squidoo Headquarters. Moms, dads, aunts, uncles and grandparents who are members of the Polly Klaas Foundation Rapid Response Team eVolunteers receive official emails with links to missing child posters. They download the posters, print them on their personal computers, and then distribute the missing child posters in their communities throughout the country. Neighbors, teachers, and health care professionals may feel something is not right in a child's circumstance, go to The Polly Klaas Foundation website, search our Master List of Missing Children, find a photo of the child, and call in the information. Many missing children have been found this way. Parents whose children are missing call us (800-587-4357) or email the Polly Klaas Foundation, reporting their missing child. We are honored to have helped over 6900 families with missing children since Polly's kidnapping in 1993. The families receive custom-made missing child posters and assistance throughout their search for their child. Restaurants and many other businesses throughout the country receive fax blasts with posters of missing children. Recently, a pharmacy in Massachusetts received a faxed missing child poster, checked their customer database, found a listing for the child with an address, and called us with the information within 15 minutes. The child was located safe within days. We know you are working quietly for the safety of children without fanfare or expectation of reward. You are making good things happen in your communities every day, with grace and an unassuming nature. You also know that the safety and well being of all children will forever remain the centerpiece of a bright future. As a world-wide community, we make a real difference for children. And we at the Polly Klaas Foundation thank you for bringing our child safety messages to the parents and children in your communities. Thank you for joining us in this important work. ABOUT POLLY KLAAS FOUNDATION The Polly Klaas Foundation helps find missing children, prevents children from going missing, and promotes laws like Amber Alert that help keep children safe. c. 2007 Polly Klaas® Foundation, 312 Western Avenue, Petaluma, CA 94952 E-mail: info@pollyklaas.org ~ Phone: (707) 769-1334 ~ 24 hour hotline: (800) 587-4357