ATTN: We need everyone to help with the upcoming search for Lindsey this Friday.

[eyes4crime]

I was going to call but I didn't want to call if someone else already had.. ya know? It didn't want to sound like I was being pushy or something. If they had already answered the question I'm sure it would have been annoying to get yet another call.

Hopefully someone called. If not, I will tomorrow morning. Should I contact Dawn first to find out what is needed and then call Costco to find out if they would be willing to donate or give a discount. Or just call Costco directly. Also how do I prove that I am doing this for searchers (not just some random wacko saying I'm doing it for the searchers to get something free or cheap. lol) since Costco is in Olympia.. maybe they aren't aware of the searches this weekend.

I'm new to all of this and while I want to be pushy I don't want to come off as rude. LOL

You ask some great questions JenniferO...Cosco is a major company and I have dealt with the smaller, nice guys in McCleary.

Here is what I would do, of course it depends on the kind of person I'm talking with..their mood, frame of mind, time. I always get their name and address them as such. these are some of the points I try to include in our discussion...not necessrily in this order.

I mention I'm calling about a search for missing Lindsey Baum taking place this Friday in McCleary. (even the business' in McCleary weren't aware of the search). The search is being organized by Laura Recovery Center and KlaasKids, a National Organization.

We may talk about the crime of missing Lindsey a bit, and talk about the volunteer searchers needing lunch, water, office supplies, etc.

I have all the names of the organizations in front of me, with the contact persons, e-mails, and phone #'s. Donations to such causes are a tax write off so I mention KlaasKids and LRC. I introduce myself as being a member of Websleluths.com a crime blog owned by Tricia (I offer e-mail and websleuth web address) who is working directly with Klaaskids on this search effort.

I give Dawn's # at Laura Recover Center 866-898-5723 as a person to contact if person is not sure what to donate. Also that Dawn will be the contact person at the McCleary Community Center. I also ask if it's okay to put their donation on the Websleuth's website - so others know what is being done and efforts are not repeated or duplicated. If the person needs to check with others, call Dawn, or e-mail Tricia I leave my number and ask they call back so I can post their contribution on Websleuths.

I play it by ear...I try to get a feel for the person and am NOT pushy, 'cause I don't feel that's what gets donations..I am friendly, organized (these people are at work) and . If I sense it's going to be a 'no', I thank them for the time and wish the person a great day. (not everyone is interested in missing Lindsey Baum).

This was sooo hard!!! Each person I talk with is so different. These are some of the main points. Sorry, I may have left something out, but I don't call with a script and every person is so different. Hope this helps...and thanks, Jennifer, for offering to make the call. :blowkiss:
__________________
The world is a dangerous place to live - not because of the people who are evil but because of the people who don't do anything about it.
- Albert Einstein

 

[JenniferO]

Eyes, Thank you so much for the response.

I'll write everything down and make the call in the morning. I should probably speak to a manager, correct?

 

[eyes4crime]

Eyes, Thank you so much for the response.

I'll write everything down and make the call in the morning. I should probably speak to a manager, correct?

JenniferO - You are asking for a donation for the search of a missing girl in Washington...A manager of a store that big usually can't make decisions about donations, but surely would be able to direct you to the person who could.

I have a 'QuickNote' floating window open on my computer screen with all the names, e-mails, addersses, etc. during my conversations.

I mention that Websleuths is owned by Trish and I am a member of her crime blog helping to organize donations. People really do want to know who you are and who you represent. If you are talking with a man at Cosco, I would ask if he wants Brad Dennis' (and title) [email protected]., some men are just more comfortable with a man's name. lol

Nice smile Jen!!!!

 

[JenniferO]

Great! Sounds good Eyes.

Thank you for the info!

 

[daisy7]

Hi, all -

I wish I had time to do more with donations for the search. Hopefully, I'll have an hour or two tomorrow to dedicate to this.

But, I would like to make a few comments. I work for organization that regularly uses lots of volunteers, so I am always asking people for stuff. Yes, the manager is the one you should speak with about donations. Almost all of the national chains have some $s locally to donate and it's up to the manager of where/how it goes. For some, you have to make the request way in advance and then it has to go through certain channels, which obviously won't work in this case.

In my experience, I have had the most success in getting donations from the smaller, local places. Why? Because they are local AND they're not getting tons of requests like the national chains are.

And, I'd suggest you call with a specific donation, instead of asking for a general one (i.e., can you donate 4 cases of water to the search effort?).

Just my two cents.

 

[daisy7]

Do we know the number of expected volunteers?

 

[RJA00]

here will I live,

the people that deliver the little debbie snack cakes and lays chips and such like that
are self contracted, maybe if any locals in the are see them delivering Tom
maybe ask them if they having anthing they would like to donate, maybe chips are snacks that are getting ready to go out of date.
maybe a tax write off for them

just thinking out loud, i live to far away to help search,

 

[eyes4crime]

Do we know the number of expected volunteers?

No, I have no idea of the numbers...seems that the unknowns of a volunteer search are what stretches the mind. The search on Friday may yield important information, but if not, the search will continue on Saturday and Sunday...I think! The only items I know of that are needed are food, money, and office supplies...and the number of people to feed is a guess. If someone has specific questions, I give Dawn's # at the Laura Recovery Center...or the E-mail address for Tricia [email protected] both are used to working with unknowns. I think Dawn told me a pallet of water was being delivered to McCleary, but I'm not sure. Let's all hope there are many volunteers. One thing I know for sure: Searching for a missing perons/child is stressful - and most volunteers are starving when they come in for lunch. lol

 

[daisy7]

No, I have no idea of the numbers...seems that the unknowns of a volunteer search are what stretches the mind. The search on Friday may yield important information, but if not, the search will continue on Saturday and Sunday...I think! The only items I know of that are needed are food, money, and office supplies...and the number of people to feed is a guess. If someone has specific questions, I give Dawn's # at the Laura Recovery Center...or the E-mail address for Tricia [email protected] both are used to working with unknowns. I think Dawn told me a pallet of water was being delivered to McCleary, but I'm not sure. Let's all hope there are many volunteers. One thing I know for sure: Searching is stressful - and most volunteers are starving when they come in for lunch. lol

Thanks, Eyes!

I am off to bed, but hope to connect with Dawn tomorrow. I wish I was able to do more earlier, but hopefully can tomorrow. I'm 2 hours behind WA and have 2 conference calls in the am. If you have it, could you send me her e-mail address, so we can connect in the am without me calling at a really early hour there?

 

[eyes4crime]

Thanks, Eyes!

I am off to bed, but hope to connect with Dawn tomorrow. I wish I was able to do more earlier, but hopefully can tomorrow. I'm 2 hours behind WA and have 2 conference calls in the am. If you have it, could you send me her e-mail address, so we can connect in the am without me calling at a really early hour there?

Hi daisy7...sorry, I don't have Dawn's E-mail. You might want to e-mail Tricia at [email protected] for Dawn's email address. Sleep well.

 

[Tricia]

Wish I wasn't over 3,000 miles away

The fact you are showing that you care helps everyone.

 

[Tricia]

The local WSers need to wear red carnations or something.

I'll be the old, short, fat one with brownish/red hair and glasses. lol

Would you stop it you nut? LOL

You will be the beautiful one helping out. :blowkiss:

 

[SeriouslySearching]

Speaking of help...please note my signature area on this post! One of our members, Mike, has flown many hours to bring us up-to-date, detailed aerial photographs to aide in the search efforts. We are trying to make sure the photos are all checked before Friday's search. Time is running out and we have many photos to scan over. It is something everyone can do from their computer and be able to go one step further to help find Lindsay no matter where you live.

Thanks~
SS~

 

[TakeNote]

i have a question:

i know in the search for Caylee....the searchers were told and shown what to look for and how to handle something you may find ......there were team leaders that were in charge of each group that went out....is this how this search will go.....hubby and i are trying hard to go....but its such an emotional thing.....i wanted to talk to hubby about what the search will be like before we get there.....

we wont be able to go to the meeting on thrusday.....so im talking about Friday or even the other days of the weekend if the search continues....

i know that there is no dumb questions.....and ive been here almost a year now...but this will be the first time for me to do any kind of search.....i want to know that they will *teach us* or go over with us what we need to do in each area of the search......so we dont feel like we are going in blinded.......does that make since....?

thanks

 

[eyes4crime]

Speaking of help...please note my signature area on this post! One of our members, Mike, has flown many hours to bring us up-to-date, detailed aerial photographs to aide in the search efforts. We are trying to make sure the photos are all checked before Friday's search. Time is running out and we have many photos to scan over. It is something everyone can do from their computer and be able to go one step further to help find Lindsay no matter where you live.

Thanks~
SS~

The photo op from the sky is fantastic...Mike is great at what he does, the pics are out of this world and we are so lucky to have him with us. Hopefully I can look at some tomorrow afternoon. Are the pics being divided up amongst bloggers...or are different eyes viewing the same pics? Where do I start? TIA

 

[LORI5050]

I just want to say how awesome you guys are.. Mike your pictures are fantastic... For those who are going to be with the search I pray for your success in finding the clues to bring Lindsey home.. Everyone here deserves a big hug.. I am proud to be a member of WS and will be glued to my computer when I can waiting to hear updates... God bless you all..

 

[SCSleuther]

Speaking of help...please note my signature area on this post! One of our members, Mike, has flown many hours to bring us up-to-date, detailed aerial photographs to aide in the search efforts. We are trying to make sure the photos are all checked before Friday's search. Time is running out and we have many photos to scan over. It is something everyone can do from their computer and be able to go one step further to help find Lindsay no matter where you live.

Thanks~
SS~

Although I'm way over on the other coast and cannot join in the search, I am fervently going through these photos one by one before tomorrow's search...Mike, you did such an awesome job with the photos !! WE WILL FIND YOU LINDSEY !!!!!!

 

[JenniferO]

Just making a note:

Called Tumwater Costco at 8:30 am PST. They don't open until 11 am. I will call back after that.

 

[SeriouslySearching]

The photo op from the sky is fantastic...Mike is great at what he does, the pics are out of this world and we are so lucky to have him with us. Hopefully I can look at some tomorrow afternoon. Are the pics being divided up amongst bloggers...or are different eyes viewing the same pics? Where do I start? TIA

We haven't divided them up because we haven't had many looking. You simply start by going to the thread listed below which have the links to his many, many fabulous photos. There are helpful tips and things on the thread to get you started.

 

[SeriouslySearching]

i have a question:

i know in the search for Caylee....the searchers were told and shown what to look for and how to handle something you may find ......there were team leaders that were in charge of each group that went out....is this how this search will go.....hubby and i are trying hard to go....but its such an emotional thing.....i wanted to talk to hubby about what the search will be like before we get there.....

we wont be able to go to the meeting on thrusday.....so im talking about Friday or even the other days of the weekend if the search continues....

i know that there is no dumb questions.....and ive been here almost a year now...but this will be the first time for me to do any kind of search.....i want to know that they will *teach us* or go over with us what we need to do in each area of the search......so we dont feel like we are going in blinded.......does that make since....?

thanks

I would have to assume that KlaasKids would set up much the same way as TES. Guidelines will be given before people head out on searches. It is important to know how to respond in case possible evidence is found. They will definitely teach you. With TES, they send out an experienced searcher with each group, but people need to know how to respond to a sighting of anything out of the norm.

Makes perfect sense you would ask. Glad you did! Others may be worried or wondering about the same thing. They won't send you out blind.