Final Days of Beds for Kids Fundraising |
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As you know, Beds for Kids is one of SPD’s cornerstone outreach programs, now heading into its 10th year of providing beds to kids in our community who don’t already have them.
The mission of Beds for Kids is simple, straightforward, and has never changed: It’s to provide beds to children in the greater Seattle area who don't already have them. It’s hard for most of us to imagine what it would be like to not have a bed to sleep in at night, but that is the unfortunate reality for too many of our young people.
At SPF, we think that beds are a basic human need, just like food and water, and we’re excited to support this effort to ensure that Seattle’s kids sleep in comfort.
Thanks to your support, in the past nine years this program has provided more than 2,300 beds to Seattle kids. This year, we fell short of our goal to raise $65,000 by August 31, 2023, so we're pushing out our deadline to help provide beds for as many kids as possible. Your gift today = a new bed tomorrow!
Thank you for helping our youth!
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Sponsor-a-Horse Fundraiser is Underway |
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In August, we launched our inaugural Sponsor-a-Horse fundraiser, benefiting the Seattle Police Department’s iconic Mounted Patrol Unit.
SPD’s Mounted Patrol Unit is one of the few remaining mounted units in the Pacific Northwest and is a treasured part of the Seattle community. Our donors, corporate and private, proved their commitment to its preservation in 2011, through their overwhelming support of our Save our Horses initiative.
This successful fundraising effort saved the Unit from elimination and funded it through 2014, after which the City of Seattle resumed its role in providing for the Unit.
Nearly a decade has passed since then, and it’s time to level up our support once again.
The Seattle Police Department has had a Mounted Patrol Unit for more than 100 years. Please help us raise $50,000 this year to sustain this irreplaceable community legacy and help it flourish!
As with other SPD Units, the Seattle Police Foundation fills gaps between what the City of Seattle can fund for the Mounted Patrol Unit, and what it cannot. Your donations help pay for crucial non-budgeted items, like new police horses, while also providing funding for equine care, facility improvements, unanticipated veterinary costs, equipment, training, and more.
Sponsor-a-Horse is a great way to show your love for the MPU! This fundraiser offers varying levels of support to help make it accessible for all. Each funding tier offers fun incentives, including the opportunity to tour the Mounted Patrol Unit barn and meet the majestic horses for yourself.
Please visit our Sponsor-a-Horse webpage for all the details and to make a donation! |
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Police Horse Chance poised to serve as the riderless horse in honor of fallen Seattle Police Officer Alexandra "Lexi" Brenneman Harris. |
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Precinct Improvement Projects:
South & Southwest
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In late 2021, SPF turned its attention to officer wellness and morale, and we were heartened to find that this cause resonated deeply with our supporters. As part of our initial investment, in 2022 we completed a variety of improvements and upgrades at each of SPD’s five precincts.
This is the fourth installment in our series to provide you with an overview of what was done at each precinct.
The best news is that this initial investment inspired us to keep going! In 2023 we have continued with renovation projects that help make life better for the men and women of the Seattle Police Department. Stay tuned for more updates as projects are completed.
South Precinct Highlights
Reimagining and modernizing the write-up room at SPD’s South Precinct was our inaugural project.
The overall vision for the write-up room was to create a more functional space, conducive to collaboration and training, with added comfort, ergonomic enhancements, and improved technology. This was accomplished with the addition of 10 customizable workstations, which can be used from a seated or standing position. Each workstation is equipped with adjustable monitor mounts holding two monitors, plus wireless keyboards and mice.
Near the windows there is a comfortable lounge area, with two black leather couches and a small table. Stationmaster Paul Greeley envisioned this as a place where FTOs could relax but remain accessible to newer officers learning best practices of report-writing. A large-screen television is mounted on the wall above the workstations and within view of the couches.
Other improvements at South included a new popcorn machine and furniture for the outdoor break area.
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Write-up room at SPD's South Precinct |
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Southwest Precinct Highlights
At the Southwest Precinct, SPD’s newest precinct, we focused on creating an outdoor break area that was more versatile and functional than what existed previously.
To do this, we purchased two separate gazebos, upgraded outdoor seating, a weather-proof picnic table, and assorted cooking supplies.
Our improvements inside the precinct included two indoor murals, one to honor Seattle’s fallen officers and another Seattle-themed mural inside the roll-call room, plus a few enhancements/additions to the bunkroom. Miscellaneous items purchased for the bunk room included privacy curtains, an air purifier, nightstands, clip-on fans, and a laundry hamper.
We want to give a huge shout-out to Southwest Stationmaster Rob Hoffer, for his hard work in assembling the two gazebos and positioning everything cohesively inside the two covered spaces, plus all his work coordinating the indoor improvements. Rob’s sweat equity helped our funding go even farther, and we’re very grateful.
We are also very grateful for our loyal donors, who make these tangible improvements possible!
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Please follow us on Instagram! |
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We’re on the 'gram!
We are excited to announce that last week we launched our official Instagram account! We’re ready to expand our presence on social media and are looking forward to establishing our brand with great content and fun images.
Keep in touch with us on all our social media platforms:
Facebook - Please support our social media presence by liking and following us on the Seattle Police Foundation Facebook page. Facebook is our primary platform and the place where we get the most engagement on our content.
Remember, every like, comment, and share helps amplify our voice so that we can generate more support for the men and women of SPD. Thank you!
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Thank you Dan Quatier and Interior Tech |
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At the end of 2022, former Seattle Police Foundation Board Member Dan Quatier generously donated $10,000 on behalf of his consulting firm, Interior Tech, to help support officer wellness, retention, and morale.
The money has allowed us to provide snacks/meals to officers at each of SPD’s five precincts on a monthly basis.
To keep things exciting, we’ve alternated between different restaurants, including Pagliacci Pizza, Pecos Pit BBQ, Trophy Cupcakes, and Top Pot Donuts. In order to facilitate a more custom approach, we added Costco gift cards into the rotation, so that each precinct’s stationmaster could base that month’s meal on officer preference.
Dan and others at Interior Tech were inspired to make this gift because they wanted to make sure the men and women of the Seattle Police Department know how much their hard work is appreciated. With so many officers retiring and/or leaving Seattle for other agencies, Dan wanted to send a tangible message of support, and monthly meals and snacks seemed like a great way to do that.
Huge thanks to Dan Quatier and Interior Tech for showing the men and women of SPD that they’re seen, honored, and appreciated.
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At the start of August, we attended the Cement Masons & Plasterers Local Union 528 member meeting, and got to see Seattle Police Department K9 Lex show off his brand-new custom-made ballistics vest!
K9 Lex’s vest was fully funded by Local 528 members during February’s Vests for Valentine’s Day fundraiser, and we are so grateful. This show of generosity set the tone for that fundraising effort, which successfully raised the money needed to purchase ballistics vests for patrol K9s Lex, Delta, Frodo, and Shadow.
Local 528 chose Lex specifically as the recipient of their investment in K9 safety, so he was definitely the star of the show! Everyone was so excited to meet him and play with him.
And if funding a whole vest wasn’t generous enough, while we were there, Local 528 members supported Beds for Kids by purchasing enough of our stuffed SPD K9s to pay for an entire bed! We had such a wonderful time there and hope to be invited back. Local 528 sure knows how to roll out the red carpet for their guests.
Thanks again to the Local 528 members!
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K9 Lex, named in honor of SPD fallen Officer Alexandra "Lexi" Brenneman Harris, showing off his brand-new custom made ballistics vest. |
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Steering Wheel Locks
During our 2022 end-of-the-year grant cycle, we awarded $5,000 to SPD Crime Prevention Coordinators (CPC) to pay for steering wheel locks that could be distributed for free to Seattle community members. This crime prevention effort targeted people who live and work in Seattle and drive certain Hyundai and Kia models, which are particularly vulnerable to theft.
SPD CPCs used the $5,000 to purchase 312 locks, which were divided up among all five precincts. In August and September, two separate distribution events took place in which community members could stop by the precinct most convenient to them to pick up a free lock.
We hope these locks help reduce vehicle thefts in our community!
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Forensic Mannequin
Also during our 2022 end-of-the-year grant cycle, we awarded $1,000 to the Homicide and Assault Unit for a forensic mannequin to help inform the interview process when interviewing suspects, witnesses, and survivors. The use of forensic mannequins is a proven strategy meant to bridge the important gap between what a person says and how the detective interprets their testimony. This simple tool is expected to help improve efficiencies during the investigation process by enhancing the clarity of a person’s verbal account of what occurred. Stay tuned for more updates on the forensic mannequin’s use! We're excited to learn more about how it helps detectives solve cases.
Learn more about our Grants Program on our website.
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Blue Tie Ball 2023 • September 30, 2023
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Get ready for Blue Tie Ball 2023!
Blue Tie Ball is our largest fundraiser of the year and one of the most powerful, inspirational events that we host. The formal, gala-style event takes place September 30, 2023, and offers guests time to meet and learn about the work of SPD’s EMT Unit, SWAT, K9, and Mounted Patrol, plus includes displays, dinner, and a live auction featuring unique items and opportunities.
Live Auction Sneak Peek
Here are a few items included in our live auction:
Seafair Police Escort – you’ll ride with SPD as they escort the U.S. Navy Blue Angels pilots from downtown Seattle to Boeing field! You’ll meet the Blue Angels pilots up close, and experience the intricacy of an official motorcade.
Arson Bomb Squad K9 Experience – you and a guest will learn all about the work of Seattle’s Arson Bomb Squad, plus meet one of the Explosive Detection K9s and "drive" the newest robot!
ROV Experience with Harbor Patrol - You and two guests will enjoy an immersive experience with the Harbor Patrol Unit’s newest and most advanced remotely operated vehicle (ROV), as it takes to Seattle’s waters in search of evidence and other items lost in the depths.
New to the event this year is a DigiBooths selfie booth!
Guests are invited to capture the evening at this year’s DigiBooths selfie booth, which can create boomerang GIFs, single shot photos, and even video! The media is available instantly to selfie booth users to share via text, email, or social media.
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Seattle Police Foundation | 206.733.9372 | SeattlePoliceFoundation.org |
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