Author: butlervetinsurance

Our community is full of incredible people and organizations, out making a difference for others! In this month’s Non-Profit Spotlight we’d like to recognize the Paws 4 Law Foundation!

Paws 4 Law Foundation was founded back in 2012 by local residents and business owners as a non-profit organization to support the City of Murrieta Police Department K9 Unit. Monies raised by its members is used to improve the performance of the K9 Unit to maintain a high quality of life for the active and retired police dogs that serve the City of Murrieta. Through donations and fundraisers, they are able to support the City of Murrieta Police Department K9 Unit with training, safety and agility equipment, training, seminars and competitions for the K9 handlers and their K9 partners, funeral and burial costs for both active and retired K9s and additional service dogs.

For the month of September 2020 Stromsoe Insurance will donate $20 to Paws 4 Law Foundation for every referral that comes to our team!

Learn More about The 2020 Vision Referral Rewards Program HERE…

The MPD currently has five active K9s:

• K9 Buck, a 7 year old Belgian Malinois, has been with the MPD for 4 years
• K9 Duke, a 3 year old Bloodhound, has been with the MPD for 2.5 years
• K9 Lew, a 4 year old Dutch Shepherd, has been with the MPD for 1 year
• K9 Odin, a 4 year old Belgian Malinois, has been with the MPD for 1 year
• K9 Mick, a 4 year old Belgian Malinois, has been with the MPD for 2 years

The Paws 4 Law Foundation works hard to support the needs of the City of Murrieta Police Department K9 Unit. We spoke to Officer Bock, handler to 4 year old Dutch Shepherd MPD K9 Lew, to get a better understanding of the value a Police K9 brings to a Department.

Stromsoe Insurance Agency: What kind of training do each of the dogs and their handlers go through initially?
Officer Bock: Initially, all of the dogs receive their training in Europe by their owners from the time they are born until the time we get them. They are typically purchased between the ages of 1.5 – 3 years by each department as needed. Once the handler and the dog are paired together as a team, they attend a 6 week training Basic Handlers Course put on by Adlerhorst International. After the initial handlers course, the K9 team spends a minimum of 10 hours every week training, in addition each handler will attempt to find time throughout each shift to add in additional, individual training for his K9.

Stromsoe Insurance Agency: How much of their time is spent training versus active use?
Officer Bock: I can’t speak for all departments, but there are two main differences that I have discovered with departments and their K9 teams. For example, in Murrieta a K9 team serves as a collateral capacity to assist patrol whereas other departments utilize their teams as a full time responsibility. This means that in Murrieta, although our K9s are with us during every shift, we may not have a need for them during that shift and in turn, assist with patrol duties handling calls for service. In other departments, if they are not responding to a call for service, then their time is spent training.

Stromsoe Insurance Agency: What are some of the misunderstandings you find people have for the K9 unit?
Officer Bock: A common misunderstanding is that the public can approach the dogs and pet them like a family dog. While we do socialize the dogs, they all have different personalities and it is best to ask the handler before approaching.

Stromsoe Insurance Agency: What is the benefit that a K9 Unit brings to a Police Department?
Officer Bock: Our dogs are used for more than just apprehension of a subject. They are often dual trained in apprehension and one other skill set such as tracking or detection. They also can be used to diffuse situations just with their presence.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Due to the Coronavirus, there is not yet a date set for the 4th Annual K9 Trials, but we look forward to seeing K9 teams from throughout Southern California, Mexico and the U.S. Military as they compete for the Top Dog Award and raise awareness for the capabilities of K9 Units to keep their communities safe.

The Paws 4 Law Foundation receives funding through donations and fundraisers, but Coronavirus has impacted their ability to raise funds for their organization. The foundation is looking for any restaurant or business owners willing to host a fundraiser or help with fundraising ideas, please reach out at [email protected] or call (951) 821-8775.

If you would like to help support Paws 4 Law and the City of Murrieta Police Department K9 Unit, please:

• Check their Website to Learn More and for updates on events such as the 4th Annual K9 Trials
• Keep an eye out to purchase the NEW MPD K9 stuffed toys with the K9’s name on their vest! Coming to their website soon!
• Join their Facebook page to stay up-to-date on what The Paws 4 Law Foundation is doing!

For the month of September 2020 Stromsoe Insurance will donate $20 to Paws 4 Law Foundation for every referral that comes to our team!

Learn More about The 2020 Vision Referral Rewards Program HERE…

Would you like to learn more about how we can help protect your non-profit , call your Stromsoe Insurance Total Protection Team at (951) 600-5751 or email [email protected] today!

Our community is full of incredible people and groups, out making a difference for others! In this month’s Non-Profit Spotlight we’d like to recognize Single Mothers Are Resilient Together (SMART) Moms!

SMART Moms began in June of 2016 with the mission to provide education and support that empowers all single mothers and their children to grow and thrive in a compassionate, encouraging, grace filled environment. Their purpose is to provide a “unique opportunity for single women to gather in fellowship with other women in a similar situation, all without regard for religious affiliation or any other consideration. To share mutual concerns in a loving, caring environment that is dedicated to the premise that regardless of your situation, there is always an opportunity to experience love and joy.”

SMART Moms is currently supporting close to 50 active moms, as well as others who attend as they are able. Between the moms, children and volunteers, their meetings would range from 65-90 people, prior to COVID. Their weekly meetings allow them to bring in professionals for topics of discussion including finance and budgeting, health and exercise, bullying, suicide prevention, IEPs and 504s, prayer, vision boards, family law issues, self-care and so much more! They will also take field trips twice a year and celebrate together for holidays such as Mother’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

While the moms are learning about these important topics, the children are also attending talks and activities:

• Babies and preschoolers will have nurturing and play time.
• K-5th graders will have lessons on God, art, games, and time on the playground.
• Middle and high schoolers will often split into groups based on gender to talk about topics that are important to them. Some of the topics the girls have discussed are communication and empowerment and some the boys have discussed are shaving, wearing a tie and relationships. The middle and high school aged children will often get together for topics that are important to them both: bullying, budgeting, etc.

Coronavirus has had an effect on every aspect of our functionality, and non-profits are no different. SMART Moms’ donations have been down due to the pandemic, but they are still doing everything they can to support the families in their care. While the in-person meetings have been completely stopped, they have continued to support the families with food donations and support via phone, text, cards and prayer.

If you would like to help support or get involved with SMART Moms, please:

• Visit their website to Learn More or  Donate
• Volunteer – call Traci Williams at 951-375-2594
• Join their Facebook page to stay up-to-date on what SMART Moms is doing!

If you would like to learn more about how we can serve and protect your non-profit , call and speak with a member of the Stromsoe Insurance Total Protection Team at (951) 600-5751.

Up in the Idyllwild Mountain Communities, reaching areas like as Paradise Corners, Pine Cove, Mt Baldy Ranch, Garner Valley and Mountain Centers, there is an incredible non-profit providing compassion, socialization and support to the communities’ seniors. Idy’s Helping Hands connects their seniors with the services they need to live and age in place with dignity and grace. “[Their] highest goal as an organization is to enrich the lives of [community] seniors and adult disabled residents through heart-centered compassionate practices of companionship, socialization, emotional support and engagement in meaningful, leisure-based activities designed to promote well-being and happiness.”

Through local volunteers and generous donations, they are able to provide connections to resources and help with the supporting paperwork, transportation for appointments, food bank pick up & delivery, home visits & well checks, respite services for home caregivers, help with running errands, socialization both with volunteers and with the other seniors in the community, and outreach phone calls. They have sought out to inspire compassionate connections and to bring their seniors out of isolation, even if how they do that has changed in the current climate.

Debbie Daniels, the Executive Director & Treasurer, was an Administrator for an Assisted Living Facility for 7 years. She would come in when she had time off and during holidays so that she could interact with the residents without being pulled away to complete her administrative tasks. When she moved to Idyllwild, she knew she wanted to get involved with the community by supporting the growth of companionship for seniors. Her passion turned into Idy’s Helping Hands.

In the uncertainty of Coronavirus, the way that we all function changed dramatically, but the need for socialization and companionship did not go away. Idy’s Helping Hands delivers Healthy At Home lunches every Thursday to the seniors, adults with disabilities and high risk residents on the hill and in surrounding areas. In just 10 weeks they have delivered 315 meals, delivering up to 54 meals a week with the help of your donations and partnerships with local eateries like the Red Kettle and Amelia’s Donuts. They were even able to deliver beautiful lilac bouquets in glass vases when the lilac farm, Alpenglow Lilac Gardens, wasn’t able to open for the season. This program is more than a sandwich; the sandwich is a vehicle in which Debbie explains, “we show up and they feel acknowledged, valued and appreciated.”

If you would like to support Idy’s Helping Hands, please visit their website to volunteer or donate. Additionally, if you have an idea of how to continue their quest of compassion and socialization for the seniors in Idyllwild and the surrounding areas, please contact them through their Facebook page.

If you would like to learn more about how we can serve and protect your non-profit , call and speak with a member of the Stromsoe Insurance Total Protection Team at (951) 600-5751.