Monday, July 24, 2006

7/24/06 Happy Birthday-Voice for the Missing Blog

Today this blog is one year old. There have been over 46,135 visitors from 6 continents. (If someone from Antarctica is reading this, please let me know so that we can declare seven.)

I started this blog in part because of frustrations and also from strong prompts from some online friends. (You know who you are.) I was frustrated at the lack of media coverage for missing persons, especially adult males, and other marginalized persons, such as the mentally ill, and minorities. I thought that if I could build a significant readership, this could offset, although not necessarily replace, that lack of attention for these persons.

I would only be able to make that happen by partnering with you, my readers.

I would like to highlight what we have accomplished this year. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

In the September archive, you find the story of Yolanda Bindics, posted on 9/18 and 19, 2005. I asked readers to write to the Delilah radio show and request a special birthday dedication for Yolanda. Hundreds of readers wrote in, and not only did Yolanda’s sister get the dedication song played that night, but she also she had an interview, and millions of listeners heard about the story.

On September 26, we featured a parental abduction case, little Erik Buran. While Erik was not located as a result of the blog story, it sparked a massive internet awareness campaign that made officials in Nevada take heed. We feel that our readers and the recipients of the email campaign learned many lessons about the seriousness of parental abduction. On 11/29/05, we were pleased to break the story about Erik’s reunion with his father. A follow-up was posted on 12/4/05 and reunion photos on 12/7/05.

The most read story of a missing person on the blog is that of Jeffrey Ben. You’ll find that in the October archives, dated October 13th. Numerous readers still flock to the story daily through web searches and his family’s website. While the story itself did not lead to Jeffrey’s body being found, it did serve to connect hundreds of caring people to his family when they most needed it. As a side note, the second most read story is that of Maura Murray. The story starts at the end of the September archive and continues in early October. Sadly, Maura is still missing.

Project Jason would become the recipient of a gift because of the blog. On October 10th, I wrote a story that prompted a stranger to contact us and then help us monetarily. More details can be found in the complete story on October 25th.

Two days later, I wrote about an organization in TN who was trying to get off the ground with no funding. I asked readers to return the favors given to us and to help them get started. Our readers were so generous that they not only gave the minimum start-up amount, they tripled it. Tennessee Alliance for the Missing is now a 501 c 3 nonprofit serving families of the missing, thanks to our generous readers. There is a follow-up story on November 3rd.

On November 21st, I began a series which explored the missing who are dead, and many times remain unidentified. This series ended on 12/13/05, the 4 ½ year mark since Jason disappeared. What I hadn’t planned on doing when the series began came to me in that last entry, and will have a lasting effect on a nationwide scale. I started the Campaign for the Missing, using the blog to seek volunteers from all 50 states to pass legislation which will tighten up LE procedures when dealing with missing persons’ cases and the unidentified. So far, this legislation has been passed in a few states by other persons or groups, however, in 2007, we expect to see numerous states adopting this law as we have 6 states with a sponsoring senator and several more pending. In IL, the bill did pass through others’ efforts, but we were able to get our amendments included.

The new year started off with a bang, as my original blog mission was fulfilled in a big way. A reporter from the Boston Globe found my stories on the blog about several missing mentally ill men, such as Lorne Boulet, Mike Hogan, Michael Jarvi, and James Rowe. He then wrote a full length article about them, bringing much needed awareness and hope for their families. I wrote about this on 1/17/06. Unfortunately, Lorne was found deceased earlier this year.

It was 5 years in the making, but I finally had the courage to write about my experiences with psychics in a series that will be ending soon. This series of posts, which began on 3/6/06, were written with the primary goal of demonstrating to families of the missing the methods used by these persons. Understanding what goes on behind the scenes should decrease any guilt feelings for not accepting offers of "help" from these persons, whether it is fee-based or not. We want to lessen the pain already present in our every breath, and arm families with the information to defend themselves against these persons. So far, this series has helped numerous families to be able to, with confidence, say “No thank you.” to these persons and use their time and energies on fruitful tasks.

We’ve also made many new friends in the skeptic realm, bringing awareness for our cause to another section of society. These new relationships played a large role in helping me write the series. Not a day passes that I don’t see a new reader learning, most likely to their surprise, how psychics make it look very real. We don’t yet know the complete outcome of the series, but if you read through the comments on each story, it begins to tell the tale.

May and June left the blog somewhat abandoned, as I dealt with a local missing-turned-murder case and my own difficulties in facing the 5 year anniversary of Jason’s disappearance. I am still writing about that time in my life.

I was just gearing up to writing again when I stumbled across a new blog by the founder of the National Center for Missing Adults. The blog entry stated that the center is in danger of shutting down. Doing something about this trumped writing about my feelings. The entry about the National Center is a few posts below this one, on 7/10/06.

Hundreds and hundreds of concerned persons took this specific cause under their wing. Many of them have a missing person in their life, but to our surprise, many of them did not. While, we still don’t know to what degree this campaign has affected the center, we do know that it has. Our readers gave the employees hope to continue in their very worthy work. We will continue to work together to find answers and even better yet, solutions to keep the center open.

So you see, dear reader, you and I have had quite a monumental year together. Wouldn’t you agree?

Let’s do it again next year. Bring your friends, and we’ll have an even bigger celebration, because when we work together towards a common goal, we make big things happen.

Sunday, July 16, 2006

7/16/06 Good News for Project Jason

Project Jason is pleased to announce that we won our first grant! While it's not a huge one, ($500) it's big and important to us. We were also the only organization in the state of Nebraska to win this.

One of my online acquantainces pointed this grant out to me. I wish I could remember who that person is, so that I can thank him/her properly.

Here is the official press release from Radio Shack:

"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Local Nonprofit Receives Grant from RadioShack Corporation

Project Jason among 80 agencies nationwide chosen to receive grant money from the Company's StreetSentz Community Grants program.

Fort Worth, Texas ‑ May 19, 2006 ‑ As part of its continuing effort to improve the quality of life for America's families, RadioShack Corporation (NYSE: RSH) has awarded Project Jason a StreetSentz Community Grants. Project Jason is one of 80 agencies and the only one in Nebraska to receive grant money in the latest quarterly cycle of RadioShack's StreetSentz Community Grants program. The program funds worthy causes that help families protect children from abduction, violence and abuse.

"Through the StreetSentz Community Grants program, RadioShack has the ability to support programs in local communities that aim to help keep children safe," said Laura Moore, senior vice president and chief communications officer for RadioShack Corporation. "We believe our contributions to agencies like Project Jason will positively impact families across the nation, reinforcing RadioShack's commitment to the safety and security of the American family."
StreetSentz Community Grants are accepted year‑round and are evaluated quarterly by local review councils coordinated through RadioShack district offices. Grants are awarded quarterly in February, May, August and November.

To be considered for a StreetSentz Community Grants, an organization must be a tax exempt nonprofit designated as a 501 (c)(3) by the Internal Revenue Service, offer solutions to help prevent family violence/abuse and/or child abduction, and directly impact or benefit, through programs or services, a RadioShack community. Grant requests should be limited to $500 or less.

Local Nonprofit Receives Grant from RadioShack Corporation
StreetSentz Community Grants guidelines and the application form are available online at the RadioShack corporate Web site (http://www.RadioShackCorporation.com, click on Corporate Citizenship, then StreetSentz Community Grant or at www.StreetSentz.com .

A list of this quarter’s winners can be found at http://www.radioshackcorporation.com/cc/SCGgrants2006Q1.html

About RadioShack Corporation

Fort Worth, Texas-based RadioShack Corporation (NYSE: RSH) is one of the most trusted consumer electronics specialty retailers in the U.S. and a growing provider of a variety of retail support services. The company operates a vast network of sales channels, including: nearly 7,000 company-owned and dealer stores; over 100 RadioShack locations in Mexico; and more than 600 wireless kiosks. RadioShack's knowledgeable and helpful sales associates deliver convenlent product and service solutions within an estimated five minutes of where 94 percent of all Americans either live or work.

For more information on RadioShack Corporation, visit www.RadioShackCorporation.com . To learn more about RadioShack products and services or to purchase items online, visit http://www.radioshack.com/."

Saturday, July 15, 2006

7/15/06 Help Needed With These Missing Persons' Cases

Updated on 7/20/06

These are urgent locates that we need your help with:

18-year-old Chelsea Janea Gifford

Chelsea has been found safe!

For more information:
http://www.truckingboards.com/trucking/upload/showthread.php?p=39040


Christopher Michael Pierce

There have been 2 sightings of Christopher "Michael" Pierce in the Joplin and Kansas City, MO area in the past few months. He has been missing for more than 3 years and his family would like answers. They would like him to come home.

These sightings have not been verified to be Michael, but the truck drivers who met up with him feel confident it is him. He was seen at truck stops at Joplin and Kansas City, MO. The most recent sighting was at the Flying J Truck Stop at KC, MO. This took place on the morning of July 3rd, 2006.

Please be on the lookout for Michael if you are in this area. If you see him, call the Bossier City, LA Police Dept at (318) 741-8683, or call 911 and explain that he is a missing person from LA.

You can read more about Michael here:
http://www.truckingboards.com/trucking/upload/showthread.php?t=371

Please post this at other forums to help bring Michael home.
A printable poster can be found at http://www.projectjason.org/18wheel/18WheelAngel_MichaelPierce.pdf

If you are a truckdriver travelling in this area, please give Michael's description and basic info on the CB radio. A suggested statement:

"Michael Pierce has been missing from Louisiana for over 3 years and he's been sighted twice in truck stops in Joplin and Kansas City, Missouri. He's 6'1" and weighs 300lbs with light brown hair and hazel eyes. If you see him, please call the Bossier City police at 318-741-8683 or call 911. You can find more information about him at projectjason.org. or truckingboards.com. Please keep this message going. Thank you."


Rebecca Summerfield, Age 15

As you can see from the blog comment posted below, Rebecca is on her way home. We are very pleased for her family.


Updates can be found here:
http://www.truckingboards.com/trucking/upload/showthread.php?t=3175

Monday, July 10, 2006

7/10/06 A Matter of Urgency

Updated on 10/30/07 (Check for the updates at the end of the original section.)

I need to interrupt my ongoing story for a matter of an urgent nature.

Yesterday I mailed a letter to the President of the United States. I don’t recall ever having done that in my life, or if I did, it’s slipped my mind. The point is that I feel this situation requires action from the highest level of government possible. I will backtrack to yesterday:

I came across something today on the internet which was rather alarming. It concerns the continued existence of the National Center for Missing Adults. (NCMA) I knew they had been struggling as of late for several reasons, but I did not know how serious it was until I read these words on a new blog written by Kym Pasquilini, Founder of the NCMA.

Kym wrote:

“Yet, this agency expended and depleted its own funds assisting Hurricane Katrina Victims and is due to close within only weeks. As the only national clearinghouse in the nation we have begged and pleaded for increased funding and reimbursement from the federal government. What happens to families during the next catastrophe? What happens to the thousands of Alzheimer's patients or the victims of foul play we have registered here?”

Yes, indeed, what would happen? Who would those families turn to in their time of need?

Readers who are familiar with our cause will wonder why I would pose that question when there are several organizations who handle missing adults’ cases. What many do not understand is that the majority of these are not equipped to handle a large influx of cases. Many, like us, have no paid staff, no full time volunteer staff, no office and a very small budget. If the NCMA were to close, we would NOT be able to adequately serve these families. As you can now imagine, there would be many far reaching effects stemming from a possible NCMA shutdown aside from the obvious:

Families need immediate answers when a person they love becomes missing. Every minute counts and lost time can mean the difference between life and death and an active case versus a cold case. Most people do not know what to do and where to turn. They need a national source to guide them on taking the necessary actions to bring about a recovery of the missing person. They need the NCMA, which has been established as our national missing adults clearinghouse.

This is the letter I sent to the President, the Vice-President, and my US Senator.

July 8, 2006

Dear President Bush,

I am writing to you about a bill, HR 2103, which has languished in the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security since 6/6/2005. HR 2103 authorizes the Attorney General to provide grants for organizations to find missing adults, and specifically to extend funding in the amount of $4,000,000 annually to the National Center for Missing Adults. (NCMA) This would allow them to continue to assist families of missing adults nationwide.

This bill has not made any progress in over a year. The government supports the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, (NCMEC) providing up to 35 million dollars per year in funding, but yet we cannot help the NCMA with 4 million? NCMEC does a fine job, but they do not assist in missing adults’ cases, leaving thousands of families without help or hope of recovering their missing adult loved one.

It has also been brought to my attention that the NCMA assisted with Hurricane Katrina missing adults at a cost to them of over $200,000. The government said they would reimburse them, but at this time has not. This situation, coupled with the fact that HR 2103 has not come to fruition, has placed the NCMA in the position of reducing staff, and even being forced to close their doors if swift action is not taken.

Families of missing adults have few resources available to them as they search for their missing loved one. Hundreds upon hundreds of organizations exist to assist in missing children’s cases, but there are fewer than a hundred to assist with missing adults cases. As the main support system for families of missing adults nationwide, the NCMA has provided a highly visible means to bring awareness for their missing loved one. We cannot allow this valuable resource to cease to exist or for their efforts to be curtailed because of a lack of funding.

Even though you have not experienced this tragic situation in your own life, try to put yourself in our shoes, if only for a moment. The typical family of a missing adult does not have the means or knowledge to begin the necessary legwork on their own family member’s case. They must rely upon external sources to help them, such as the NCMA, to have hopes for a positive outcome.

I ask you to find out why HR 2103 sits idle in the hands of our government’s representatives while the NCMA’s monetary resources have been depleted as the result of our government’s request of them. What can be done to ensure HR 2103 is signed into law? Secondarily, I ask you to inquire of the US Department of Justice the status of reimbursing the NCMA for assisting with over 13,000 Hurricane Katrina victims.

This matter is critical, and effects human lives; not just the missing persons themselves, but also the left-behind families who suffer through the agony of waking up daily, not knowing what has become of their missing loved ones. I know this from personal experience, as my own son has been missing without a trace for over 5 years.

I ask you to help in any way that you can in this matter. I would like to be able to wake up in the morning and know that everyone I love and care for is safe and happy, just as you are able. I speak for thousands of other families across the nation in saying this. If the NCMA continues to be crippled financially, then our numbers will surely increase. I don’t want to see this happen, and I am confident you don’t either. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Kelly Jolkowski,
Mother of Missing Jason Jolkowski
President and Founder,
Project Jason
www.projectjason.org
Voice for the Missing
htttp://voice4themissing.blogspot.com/



CC: Vice-President Cheney
Senator Lee Terry, Nebraska


Yes, NCMEC receives close to 35 million annually from our government. I fail to understand then why 4 million per year for missing adults is asking too much. Why is this issue at a standstill? Adults continue to disappear each and every day. The situation is not going to go away. We need all of the support and help we can get.

I can also tell you from personal experience that the donations just aren’t there. People think of other charities first for their annual giving, rather than organizations which assist families of the missing. While every dollar counts and helps, and we are not discouraging that, this situation is going to require more than a few donations. It’s going to require a concentrated effort of concerned citizens to make it clear to the decision makers in Washington that they MUST act, and act now.

I need you, the reader, to put yourself in our shoes, just as I asked in my letter. I ask you to also write to your US Senator as a minimum. You may use my letter as a template or craft your own. Next, forward the link to this blog entry or a letter of your own to people you know who will take action.

For those who might be wondering, no, those online petitions will not help, contrary to popular belief. Lawmakers need to hear directly from their constituents. Electronic and unverifiable signatures will not suffice.

The NCMA has been there for all of us who live in the not knowing. They need our help and support now. Don’t let this happen. Take action, please.

Thank you.

Update, 7/15/06:

Please see Kym's blog as linked below for an update. Do keep in mind that while this is very good news, it is really like a small bandaid placed over a large wound. We need to continue our efforts to get full reimbursement from the DOJ and also get HR 2103 passed. There are a number of us working to get the media involved, and you may feel free to help in that respect. In numbers, we can make our voices heard.


Related links:

NCMA Homepage: http://www.theyaremissed.org/ncma/index.php

What the NCMA does: http://www.theyaremissed.org/ncma/content.php?webid=about_ncma

NCMA page explaining this situation, which includes a link for you to find your US Senator’s name and address:
http://www.theyaremissed.org/alert/index.html

Text of HR 2103 and link to check the bill status:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c109:H.R.2103::

Contact information for the Whitehouse: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

Kym's blog: http://while-here.blogspot.com/

Link to this blog entry:
http://voice4themissing.blogspot.com/2006/07/71006-matter-of-urgency.html

This update was posted on 10/30/07:

Monday, November 5th, 2007, might be remembered by those involved in the missing persons cause as a day in which a huge step backwards was taken.

Unless something major breaks in the way of funding, this will be the day in which the National Center for Missing Adults (NCMA) will close their doors. Thousands of families will be affected, now and in the future.

Why is this happening?

The answer is complex, but in summary:

· The NCMA stepped up and assisted over 13,000 victims of Hurricane Katrina and was to be reimbursed for those expenditures, which were close to $250,000. At this time, the NCMA has only received $50,000 to cover the work they did at the request of the Dept. of Justice.

· The 2007 re-authorization of Kristen’s Law, (HR 423) which would provide the NCMA with up to $4 million per year in funding for 10 years, continues to remain in the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security committee, with no action taken to help the center. This re-authorization effort has been in the works unsuccessfully since 2005.

· As experienced not only by the NCMA, but by other national organizations, including ours, the public does not generally consider missing adults’ assistance nonprofits as a part of their charitable giving plans. Corporations are also hesitant to provide funding, and grant makers don’t seem responsive, either. This lack of support has also contributed to the problem.

What will save the NCMA at this late hour?

If an “angel” company or person comes forward who can help keep the center operating until the Kristen’s Law Re-authorization funds are released.

AND/OR

The DOJ immediately releases the funds owed to the NCMA from their work related to Hurricane Katrina.

What Can I Do?

I spent time talking with Kym Pasqualini, founder of the NCMA, late last night, and based upon the conversation, this is what she asks of you if you feel moved to help with a final effort.

· Kym feels that, out of all the national media, the person who could best help with exposure and a push for action is Larry King of CNN’s Larry King Live Show. She says that Larry’s show is watched by many members of congress and that he is not afraid to step on toes to get something accomplished. If she could get a spot on his show as soon as possible, she plans to talk candidly about the situation.

If you can help with this step, please write to Larry King at larrykinglive@cnn.com and ask him to have Kym on as a guest immediately. Keep in mind that even if a spot on the show is not successful at moving congress or getting the Katrina reimbursement, it could reach the “angel” company or person as mentioned above.

· Contact Peter D. Keisler, acting Attorney General, and let him know how you feel about missing adults losing their national clearinghouse and resource. Mention the 2007 re-authorization of Kristen’s Law, (HR 423) You can also write to Vice President Dick Cheney at vice_president@whitehouse.gov The White House fax is 202-456-2461. Use AskDOJ@usdoj.gov to send correspondence to the Attorney General’s office.

· The webpage for the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security is http://judiciary.house.gov/committeestructure.aspx?committee=6 Once there, click on the names of the various members and be redirected to their own websites with contact information. You can also write to your congressman.

Time is quickly running out for this year’s session, so please send your letters right away.

No matter what happens, we need to find a way to gain more support from the general public for our missing persons’ assistance organizations. We cannot allow the continued disintegration of all we have worked so hard for in the past few years.

Not only would the loss of the NCMA represent less support for families of the missing, but it also means that another avenue of training for law enforcement is gone. (When fully funded, the NCMA had assisted with providing specialized missing adults investigative training through the excellent Fox Valley Technical College.)

More Information:

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/614309,CST-NWS-missingside22.article

There is a letter above that we used in our original campaign. I have re-written that letter for use in this campaign. You may use this letter to send to our government representatives and the Attorney General’s office. You will find this letter below my signature.

I know I have asked much of you, so if you can only do one thing suggested in this letter, write to Larry King and ask him to have Kym on as a guest right away. Remember when the NCMA was there for you? Now you can be there for them.

If we do not try, then we will never succeed. If we do try, then we have a chance.

There is always hope.

Kelly Jolkowski, Mother of Missing Jason Jolkowski
President and Founder, Project Jason
http://www.projectjason.org/

Dear ,

I am writing to you about a bill, HR 423, which is now stagnant in the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. HR 423 authorizes the Attorney General to provide grants for organizations to find missing adults, and specifically to extend funding in the amount of $4,000,000 annually to the National Center for Missing Adults. (NCMA) This would allow them to continue to assist families of missing adults nationwide.

This bill has not made any progress this year. The government supports the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, (NCMEC) providing up to 35 million dollars per year in funding, but yet we cannot help the NCMA with 4 million? NCMEC does a fine job, but they do not assist in missing adults’ cases, leaving thousands of families without help or hope of recovering their missing adult loved one.

It has also been brought to my attention that the NCMA assisted with Hurricane Katrina missing adults at a cost to them of over $200,000. The government said they would reimburse them, but at this time has not. This situation, coupled with the fact that HR423 has not come to fruition, has placed the NCMA in the position of reducing staff, and even being forced to close their doors by early November if swift action is not taken.

Families of missing adults have few resources available to them as they search for their missing loved one. Hundreds upon hundreds of organizations exist to assist in missing children’s cases, but there are fewer than a twenty to assist with missing adults cases. As the main support system for families of missing adults nationwide, the NCMA has provided a highly visible means to bring awareness for their missing loved one. We cannot allow this valuable resource to cease to exist because of a lack of funding.

Even though you have not experienced this tragic situation in your own life, try to put yourself in our shoes, if only for a moment. The typical family of a missing adult does not have the means or knowledge to begin the necessary legwork on their own family member’s case. They must rely upon external sources to help them, such as the NCMA, to have hopes for a positive outcome.

I ask you to find out why HR 423 sits idle in the hands of our government’s representatives while the NCMA’s monetary resources have been depleted as the result of our government’s request of them. What can be done to ensure HR 423 is signed into law? Secondarily, I ask you to inquire of the US Department of Justice the status of reimbursing the NCMA for assisting with over 13,000 Hurricane Katrina victims.

This matter is critical, and effects human lives; not just the missing persons themselves, but also the left-behind families who suffer through the agony of waking up daily, not knowing what has become of their missing loved ones. [I know this from personal experience, as my own son has been missing without a trace for over 6 years.] < Alter this to fit your story

I ask you to help in any way that you can in this matter. I would like to be able to wake up in the morning and know that everyone I love and care for is safe and happy, just as you are able. I speak for thousands of other families across the nation in saying this. If the NCMA ceases to exist, then our numbers will surely increase. I don’t want to see this happen, and I am confident you don’t either. Thank you.

Sincerely,

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