Rally stop for Mary Baderacco, Bernadine Paul, Evelyn Frisco and William Smolinski Jr
A large crowd is all ready there as we pull up.Donna Gore had coffee and tons of food that was great because the motel we stayed at had NO coffee. We got our banner up and the table setup. We had the chance to look at the missing persons flyers there were beautiful quilts made up of tee shirts from missing persons and a butterfly tree. Lots of media and large amount of family and friends gather around. Its alway sad when we have to go but this road tour is keeping us very busy..
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Fredericksberg VA Janeane
A stop for Annita Price, Samantha Clark, Melanie Metheny, Bethany Decker and Jerry Plaster.
First thing you see pulling into the parking lot is a van with a big bee on it. Madonna had the radio station there you can smell the popcorn and hot dogs cooking. Missing persons poster's and flyers everywhere so many from the area. We set our CUE table and banner up. We get to talk with the family's and seems time goes so fast its great to see other coordinators Shawn and Madonna they both have worked hard on there stops. Time for the family's to take media questions asked and to sign the banner words of encouragement to the families. Once again time to move on to our next stop.
First thing you see pulling into the parking lot is a van with a big bee on it. Madonna had the radio station there you can smell the popcorn and hot dogs cooking. Missing persons poster's and flyers everywhere so many from the area. We set our CUE table and banner up. We get to talk with the family's and seems time goes so fast its great to see other coordinators Shawn and Madonna they both have worked hard on there stops. Time for the family's to take media questions asked and to sign the banner words of encouragement to the families. Once again time to move on to our next stop.
Charlottesville for Dashad Smith and Bonnie Santiago Janeane
Rain stopped for our second stop of the day. We pull our large red van in the parking lot and see a big pavillion full of family and loved ones balloons every where. Elisa and I set our table and David and Harlen set up our banner of our missing Monica busy as always going to the family and press. Time for the family to have their time to tell storys of the loved ones missing. We take the balloons out put the missing names on them and let them loose it looked like a sky full of skittles beautiful time to pack and go again
Charlottesville VA Elisa
The rain has stopped and although we got to Charlottesville early enough to grab some lunch we ended up being 10 minutes late when we couldn't find McIntire Park. Apparently we were on the wrong Rugby Avenue (or was it Road, which I think was the problem). Once again Shawn White is our host so we knew before we got here everything would be running smoothly. This is the third of our four stops in Virginia, and the third and last stop that Shawn has hosted with family members. Although she is still coming to our last stop in Virginia this evening. As a coordinator myself, I find it inconceivable to be able to not only pull that off but to excel at it. Taking on the responsibility of hosting 3 stops in 2 days, located hours from one another, is beyond dedication and she is inspirational in her dedication both to the organization and to her missing families. We love when a coordinator takes charge of a rally stop, they know what we need and will have already thought out where our table and banner will go, they may already have their own CUE table set up with our information eliminating the need for us to take everything out of the van. I can't thank Shawn enough for hosting 3 stops, also by including a missing family as a cohost she was able to empowered them at the same time.
We are honoring 3 missing persons at this stop plus we have some family members from our last 2 stops that have followed the tour since we started in Virginia. Dashad "Sage" Smith was last seen walking in town at 6:30pm at age 19 in 2012. Bonnie Santiago, a 56 year old mother of 7 and grandmother of 14 disappeared on July 12, 2014. Janet Renee Fields, 49, left her home on July 2, 2014 and hasn't been seen since. Her abandoned vehicle was found 2 days later.
When Dashad's grandma spoke we got a real true sense of Dashad. She told lots of stories. I truly enjoy hearing those type of stories, I know we need to know the circumstances of disappearances and the aftermath. But I love getting to know the person missing, besides the picture and the statistics. Both Bonnie and Renee went missing this past July. Both families are in the early stages of dealing with a missing loved one. Bonnie has a large family, 7 children, twice as many grandkids. Where is she? What happened to her? The shelter was full of family members of all ages wanting answers. It was an emotional day for all of them. Renee's husband also told us all about her, her love of animals, taking in strays, her hobbies. That she used Renee and not Janet, for instance, is something we should know. She left her home one day and never returned with her abandoned vehicle found the following day. She took nothing with her, she didn't disappear on purpose. She simply vanished. Answers are needed. There is so much to do.
Elisa
We are honoring 3 missing persons at this stop plus we have some family members from our last 2 stops that have followed the tour since we started in Virginia. Dashad "Sage" Smith was last seen walking in town at 6:30pm at age 19 in 2012. Bonnie Santiago, a 56 year old mother of 7 and grandmother of 14 disappeared on July 12, 2014. Janet Renee Fields, 49, left her home on July 2, 2014 and hasn't been seen since. Her abandoned vehicle was found 2 days later.
When Dashad's grandma spoke we got a real true sense of Dashad. She told lots of stories. I truly enjoy hearing those type of stories, I know we need to know the circumstances of disappearances and the aftermath. But I love getting to know the person missing, besides the picture and the statistics. Both Bonnie and Renee went missing this past July. Both families are in the early stages of dealing with a missing loved one. Bonnie has a large family, 7 children, twice as many grandkids. Where is she? What happened to her? The shelter was full of family members of all ages wanting answers. It was an emotional day for all of them. Renee's husband also told us all about her, her love of animals, taking in strays, her hobbies. That she used Renee and not Janet, for instance, is something we should know. She left her home one day and never returned with her abandoned vehicle found the following day. She took nothing with her, she didn't disappear on purpose. She simply vanished. Answers are needed. There is so much to do.
Elisa
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Lovingston VA Janeane
Saturday 11th October 10am Lovingston VA for Alexis Murphy and Morgan Harrington. Its cold and rainy but Shawn is already there and set up for the rally stop. The media is settings up and Harlen and David are setting up the banned of missing while Elisa and I set up our table. More family and friends and media show up. time for the families to tell their stories in hope someone will remember something and come forward with information on their missing loved one. A beautiful garden is being set up for the family and friends to come and sit to rememberAlexis. Once again its time for us to go hugs tears and encouragement given.
Lovingston VA Elisa
It's raining, it's pouring. Off we go to dedicate a garden at Alexis Murphy's high school. When we arrive thankfully there are some tents set up and the location is so beautiful we quickly forget the rain. CUE's Virginia State Outreach Coordinator Shawn White is once again our host along with Alexis' family.
This is another duplicated stop but this time it is different. Last year Alexis had only been missing a few months. Her family are now veterans in the missing world. They've been through an arrest, court, and even a conviction but they still don't have Alexis back. Last year recovered Morgan Harrington's parents were guiding them, today they are here to honor their daughter and all the missing. Recovered Cara Holley's mom Lisa is here with us again. Last night I knew of her daughter only, today we had time to talk and bond. We both lost a child just prior to their nineteenth birthdays and though the circumstances were much different we connected over the similarities. She has had her recovery and a conviction in her case but of course coming to our events has opened old wounds. She tells me she is also coming to our next stop and I know how she must feel. Wanting to go to all the stops you can to talk with and connect with those like you, honor those families that still have missing loved ones, surround yourself however briefly with people who know your pain. People who you do not have to explain yourself to, people who get it and you. The family of missing Janet Renee Field is also here.
After the introductions and the speeches we move to where the garden will be placed. It will be a place to honor Alexis, a place for reflection, a place where her mother can go for solace.the high school's horticulture class will be in charge of maintaining the space with flowers donated from a local nursery. Pink and white flowers will surround a bench with a plaque bearing Alexis' name. It will be a year round garden with flowers that even bloom through the snow. I think it's wonderful when a community rallies around and supports their own. This space will go on forever in her memory.
Elisa
This is another duplicated stop but this time it is different. Last year Alexis had only been missing a few months. Her family are now veterans in the missing world. They've been through an arrest, court, and even a conviction but they still don't have Alexis back. Last year recovered Morgan Harrington's parents were guiding them, today they are here to honor their daughter and all the missing. Recovered Cara Holley's mom Lisa is here with us again. Last night I knew of her daughter only, today we had time to talk and bond. We both lost a child just prior to their nineteenth birthdays and though the circumstances were much different we connected over the similarities. She has had her recovery and a conviction in her case but of course coming to our events has opened old wounds. She tells me she is also coming to our next stop and I know how she must feel. Wanting to go to all the stops you can to talk with and connect with those like you, honor those families that still have missing loved ones, surround yourself however briefly with people who know your pain. People who you do not have to explain yourself to, people who get it and you. The family of missing Janet Renee Field is also here.
After the introductions and the speeches we move to where the garden will be placed. It will be a place to honor Alexis, a place for reflection, a place where her mother can go for solace.the high school's horticulture class will be in charge of maintaining the space with flowers donated from a local nursery. Pink and white flowers will surround a bench with a plaque bearing Alexis' name. It will be a year round garden with flowers that even bloom through the snow. I think it's wonderful when a community rallies around and supports their own. This space will go on forever in her memory.
Elisa
Rocky Mount VA Janeane
Friday our 3rd stop of the day. Rocky Mont VA 7:30pm for Heather Hodges
it s dark when we pull in you see lights and candles every where. Tents, banners and lots of family and friends, people are wearing heather and CUE shirts. Monica gives a great speech and then we all go to the stream to light tea lights put them into small paper boats with missing persons picture in them and let them float what a beautiful site. We visit with family then say our good byes once again. I hope we left them stronger and with hope.
it s dark when we pull in you see lights and candles every where. Tents, banners and lots of family and friends, people are wearing heather and CUE shirts. Monica gives a great speech and then we all go to the stream to light tea lights put them into small paper boats with missing persons picture in them and let them float what a beautiful site. We visit with family then say our good byes once again. I hope we left them stronger and with hope.
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