When a child is abducted, every second counts. Rapid and widespread distribution of information about the child is critical in working for a safe recovery, and one of the best ways to notify a community is by the use of a flyer with the child’s picture and other information. Beginning today the LRC will include a QR Code on every missing child flyer – a code that can be used to help distribute that child’s flyer.
A QR Code is a two dimensional bar code, but when combined with a smart phone the Code can direct the phone to a related web site. When the QR Code on an LRC flyer is scanned by a smart phone, the QR Code will direct the phone’s user to a web page that can be used to e-mail and fax that missing child’s flyer. Every smart phone owner can now actively participate in the battle against child predators by helping distribute information about missing children.
The use of QR Codes on LRC flyers is another way that the Laura Recovery Center is working to keep our children safe. Other resources for parents include a free on-line missing child flyer creation page at http://www.MyFlyer.org , a free on-line child ID page at http://www.MyChildID.org , and useful safety tips available by following the Twitter feed at http://www.twitter.com/SafeKidsATE .
The Laura Recovery Center is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, that was founded in Laura Smither’s memory. The Center focuses on Education, Search, and Prevention in the area of missing children, has offered free abduction prevention programs to over 200,000 children throughout the greater Houston area, worked with approximately 1,450 families with missing loved ones, and has organized 95 community searches for abducted children nationwide. The Center trains law enforcement at the Houston Police Department training academy and other agencies in Texas, and distributes educational materials and child ID kits.
The life of cats and dogs on this idyllic island is bleak. The local government has a despicable solution–population control by electrocution! Her organization has become one of hope; dedicating itself to rescuing and caring for these abused and discarded animals through spay and neuter clinics, fostering, and adopting.
Alison has spent ten years working with and supporting other rescue groups in the Yucatan. While continually addressing the big picture she has re-housed over four thousand animals, placing them with individuals and rescue groups in the US and Canada. In 2005 she received the Doris Day Animal Kindred Spirit Award and was invited to the first ‘Forum on Small Animal Over-population’ in Mexico City.
Isla Animal’s programs are run totally on donations. It’s Alison’s goal to educate pet owners and provide them with free services and basic supplies, such as food, flea and tick medication, shampoo, collars, leashes and medical supplies. On a typical day she has thirty to forty dogs at her house; most of them are sick and scared from a life on the streets – and these are the strong ones! Islanders drop the dogs off or tie them to her gate, or tourists find them by the side of the road. It takes time and love to get these animals ready for a good home but Alison is prepared to take care of each and every one until she can send them to a better place. Isla Mujeres is a tourist destination so the animals are considered unsightly and are eliminated in an effort to create a more pristine vacation destination. Alison is sure that if tourists knew what was truly going on they would want to do something about it.
Isla Animals desperately needs additional funding so that they may continue their wonderful work. Donations can be made via check, payable to Alison Sawyer, 1750 30th St., #197, Boulder, CO 80301, with ‘Isla Mujeres Animals’ noted on the check, or directly through PayPal. Please visit their website at www.islaanimals.org for more information on this incredible organization and how to alleviate the plight of these desperately mistreated animals.
Alison Sawyer Current is also the author of an intriguing novel, No Urn For The Ashes (Bayfire Press Publishing), and generously donates the proceeds from her book sales to further the care of her extended feline and canine family.
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Ascot Media Group is providing public relations services to this humane organization at no charge in their attempt to help these animals in Mexico.
The Laura Recovery Center for missing children was awarded this year’s US Department of Justice Missing Children Non-Profit Organization of the Year Award. The award was presented to Gay Smither and Bob Walcutt at the annual Executive Director’s Conference of AMECO (Association of Missing and Exploited Children’s Organizations) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The award recognizes “… outstanding contribution and commitment to missing and exploited children” and was presented by Katherine Darke Schmitt, an Associate Deputy Administrator with the US Department of Justice.
The Laura Recovery Center was nominated for the award by Captain Shari Burrows of the Friendswood Police Department. In her nomination letter, Captain Burrows noted that “This organization has upheld high standards of professionalism and demonstrated noteworthy leadership in protecting children while forging positive relationships with local partners.” In addition Captain Burrows praised “the extraordinary effort they display contributing to the protection of children.”
Gay Smither, co-founder and president of the Laura Recovery Center, stated “It is an honor to receive this prestigious award. We are pleased to be recognized by the Justice Department for the work of our dedicated staff and volunteers. Being a warrior for missing children is often difficult, but we know that one missing child is one too many!”
The Laura Recovery Center is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, that was founded in Laura Smither’s memory. The Center focuses on Education, Search, and Prevention in the area of missing children, has offered free abduction prevention programs to over 200,000 children throughout the greater Houston area, worked with approximately 1,450 families with missing loved ones, and has organized 95 community searches for abducted children nationwide. The Center trains law enforcement at the Houston Police Department training academy and other agencies in Texas, and distributes educational materials and child ID kits.
Laura Recovery Center at 906 Anna Lane, Friendswood, Texas 77546 – 281-785-1268 – or 281-482-5723, www.LRCF.org
