Serving our First Responders and the Community recently:
SUMMARY
CHAPLAIN ACTIVITY
APRIL 2015
The month of April saw a reduction in the number of calls to assist agencies during crisis events. The Chaplains were only called out 10 times during April.
Even though the Chaplains were not as busy assisting agencies April was packed full of other activities. On April 11 the 10th Annual Les Nelson Memorial Breakfast and Auction was held at the Cowlitz County Event Center. This event is our biggest fundraising event of the year, and this year we had about 300 people attend, and the event raised over $36,000.00. One of the highlights of morning was Mrs. Wanda Nelson was recognized for her 90th birthday, and the Chaplains made her an honorary Chaplain with an official badge. Mrs. Nelson is now one of the Chaplains and her call sign is 1 Henry 32 for the 32 years she has supported the Chaplaincy.
Throughout the months of April and May the Chaplains assist the Cowlitz County Sheriff Department in the “Every 15 Minute” program. This is an important anti drinking and driving program in our county’s high schools. Each year about 15-20 seniors from each school volunteer to help lead the rest of the students in this important reminder to refuse to drink and drive or get into a car with anyone who has been drinking.
In April the Chaplains also participated in a variety of community events. Chaplain Doug was involved in the Kelso/Longview Ministerial Association’s Good Friday Service, was well as the participating in the Longview Anti-Drug Coalition Youth Town Hall meeting. Chaplain Tom participated in the Castle Rock Ministerial Association’s Easter Sunrise Service, and spoke at the East Hills Alliance Life After Fifty (LAF) group. Chaplains Mario, Doug, and Tom participated in the Longview Community Church Mission Sunday.
SUMMARY
CHAPLAIN ACTIVITY
MARCH 2015
The first quarter of 2015 has been one of the busiest on record for calls to assist agencies in times of crisis. In March the Chaplains were called to assist 24 times, which brings the total for the first quarter of 2015 to 66. If this pace continues the Chaplains will be called out to assist agencies over 250 this year.
The first quarter of every year focuses on preparation for the Les Nelson Memorial Breakfast and Auction. This is our biggest fundraising event of the year. The down side to that preparation is the reduced time we can spend with the first responders. We spend 73 hours in March making visits to first responder agencies, but we were not able to do any ride-alongs in March.
Chaplains Doug and Tom and volunteer Chaplains Francisco and Joel have been attending the Police Citizen’s Academy on Wednesday nights. This is a very worthwhile 10 week course that takes place every March and April in our county. If you have a chance to enroll next year it is a very interesting, informative, and fun adventure into the everyday life of a law enforcement officers, looking at every aspect of their work and challenges.
As Chaplains we were invited to the first Longview Fire Department Awards Banquet. If was a great time of fellowship and celebration for the work and service of LFD. Congratulations to all the firefighters who received special awards!
Chaplain Tom preached at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Castle Rock, and Chaplain Doug was the lead on the Kelso/Longview Ministerial Association Ministry Fair. The Chaplains did 8 funerals and two weddings during March with Chaplain Mario doing 7 of the funerals.
SUMMARY
CHAPLAIN ACTIVITY
FEBRUARY 2015
February continued our busy year. We responded to 17 calls to assist first responder agencies. We have responded to a total of 42 so far this year. We responded to another train fatality in February, and there have been several over the last year. Please remember to be very careful around the train tracks, and do not hike, bike, or run near the train tracks!
During February the Chaplains did 86 hours of agency check-in visits. These visits covered each of the six law enforcement agencies, eight fire stations, the 911 dispatchers, the coroners, and the correction officers.
On February 22, Chaplains Tom, Doug, Mario, and Flip attended Mission Sunday at Calvary Community Church. It was a great time to meet the members of Calvary, share what the Lord is doing through the Chaplaincy, and get to know the other missionaries and ministries that Calvary supports.
Chaplain Doug led worship at Living Word two Sundays in February. Chaplain Tom was the speaker for the Calvary Community Church Men’s Retreat. The Chaplains did five funerals and one wedding during the month. Chaplains Doug, Mario and Flip attended the International Conference of Police Chaplains’ Regional Meeting at Cannon Beach.
Our preparation for the 10th Annual Les Nelson Memorial Breakfast and Auction is in full swing. Check out the “event” section of this website for all the details and come and join us on April 11!
SUMMARY
CHAPLAIN ACTIVITY
JANUARY 2015
January was a busy month for us. For several days we were responding to a call per day to assist first responder agencies. We ended the month with 25 call outs which is about five above our record setting average per month from last year.
We had the privilege of doing three ride alongs with law enforcement agencies. This is great way for us to get to know them personally, and interact with the entire duty crew.
During January the Chaplains did 71 hours of agency check-in visits. These visits covered each of the six law enforcement agencies, and eight fire stations.
We always enjoy the opportunity to share in the special events and celebrations of the agencies we serve. This month we had the privilege of attending the swearing in ceremony of the new Woodland Police Chief Phillip Crochet. Longview Police Department had their annual awards banquet, and it was inspirational to listen to all the acts of service and bravery by the officers. Congratulation to Det. Seth Libby who was named officer of the year 2014.
Chaplain Doug did a seminar for funeral directors on confidentiality. The Chaplains did six funerals and one wedding during January. Chaplains Doug and Mario attended some disaster relief training which you can read more about in the newsletter attached to this website.
SUMMARY
CHAPLAIN ACTIVITY
DECEMBER 2014
- 14 Call Outs to assist first responders dealing with citizens in crisis = 32.5 hrs.
The Chaplains were called out 203 in 2014. The number of call outs to assist agencies has doubled in two years. The Chaplains respond to requests for services 165 times in 2013 and 103 times in 2012.
- 7 Agency Ride-alongs (CCSO 2x, LPD 3x, Kalama PD, Kelso PD) 57 hrs.
- Agency Visits = 89.5 hrs.
- Department Special Events: Shop with a Cop 2xs, Shop with a Firefighter, Cowlitz Fire District 5 awards dinner.
- 2 Public Speaking Engagements
- 5 funerals and 1 wedding
Upcoming Events:
Chaplains Mario and Doug will attend disaster relief training in Gresham, Oregon January 23-30, 2015.
Chaplains Mario, Doug, and Flip will attend the regional training for the International Conference of Police Chaplains at Cannon Beach, Oregon February 9-12.
Chaplain Tom will lead the men’s retreat for Calvary Community Church at Cannon Beach February 27 – March 1.
For the month of July, 2014
The chaplains worked 428 man hours making over 1142 contacts with First Responders, ministers, families and individuals in the Community. As a part of our work we responded to:
13 Calls for service (which included Home Deaths, notifications, drownings, suicides,traffic fatalities and crisis counseling referrals)
2 speaking engagements (which included presentations about chaplaincy to a church and also a presentation /class on communication and compassion fatique to a funeral home.)
80 Agency Contact hours (which included visiting First responders, providing Crisis Support,CISD, )
28 Ride along Hours(hours spent riding with LE or Fire responders in the field)
In addition, Chaplain Tom attended the International Conference of Police Chaplains held in Columbia, South Carolina this month. There he networked with police chaplains around the country and from other countries and participated in training and classes that exposed him to new ideas to bring back to our organization.
Also chaplains were present at the Go 4th festival this year working along side of Longview Police.
Chaplains conducted 5 funerals and 3 weddings this month.
Year to Date:
114 Calls for service
30 Speaking engagements
445 Agency Contact hours
126 Ride along hours
Your generous support allows us to continue serving our First Responders and our community. Thank you for allowing us to be available and ready to provide care and compassion!
