C O M M U N I T Y
Award-Winning Actress Loretta Swit Joins the Search
Kentucky Kids Share the Search
We are delighted to welcome Loretta Swit to our family of supporters! In 2011 the actress and artist met our teams at the National Training Center, and now generously donates all profits of the sales of her “Rookie” watercolor prints to SDF. To view the prints, visit the SDF store at: www.SearchDogFoundation.org
Williamstown Independent School District
“Who could not be touched by these incredible dogs? Who could not be Ms. Loretta Swit & Search Dog candidate during moved, watching them scent, search a visit to the National Training Center and dig…working in sync with their partners, their handler/trainers? The fact is I have always been a pushover for heroes! They inspired me to do the painting of THE ROOKIE from an enchanting photograph of a Labrador puppy, looking hopeful, anxious… waiting to learn whether the testing will lead to intensive training and future deployment to every dangerous, troubled corner of the world. Pretty intense…but not for a hero. I met the SDF Search Teams during the crisis of 9/11. They stole my heart and never gave it back.” – Loretta Swit - Part of the Search
S U P P O RT
Dear Wilma, Last quarter my middle school Enrichment students and I investigated the characteristics that define a true hero/heroine. While they brainstormed heroic traits and researched people who exemplified those traits, one of my students found you and your work. The students designed a lesson to share with other classes in our district, and all the classes created the Thank You projects we sent you. We also included your portrait on a “Mt. Rushmore” style monument displayed at our school. In my 15 years of teaching, this has been one of the most rewarding teaching moments I have experienced. I am so touched by your selfless work that contributes so much to our world. Furthermore, I am so moved that you have set such a profoundly positive example for the youth and staff in our school. I’m sure there have been moments of discouragement in your journey. We hope you are encouraged by our efforts to uplift and honor you as you have encouraged us. We applaud your work, your courage, and your sacrifice. May God bless you in all your future endeavors to help others.
Sincerely,
Sonya J. P. Linder, Gifted and Talented Specialist
Eric Darling & Ben
Community Support Across America Each year SDF is honored to receive donations from Community Groups throughout the country whose creative fundraising projects bring support to the Search Teams. Meet our community partners: COMMUNITY GROUPS Allentown Dog Training Club, Inc. - Emmaus, PA Austin-Healey Club of San Diego - San Diego, CA BARFWorld - Danville, CA Calaveras Humane Society Thrift Store - Arnold, CA Charter QP PEO - Ojai, CA Community Health Charities of California - Sacramento, CA Daisy Girl Scouts of Ojai - Ojai, CA Demars Financial Planning - Columbus, OH Duplicate Club 13 - Belton, SC Eberle Communications Group - McLean, VA Equity Management Group FEI Los Angeles Chapter - Riverside, CA Hope Luthern Church Benevolence Team - Quincy, IL J.C. Svec Productions - Clark, NJ Julie Brandau Community Service Memorial Project - West Hills, CA Just Give - San Francisco, CA Kasmar, Zanglis & Associates - Glendale, CA Ladies Auxiliary of the Showman’s League of America - Tampa, FL Las Posas Camarillo Republican Women’s Club - Somis, CA Los Encinos Kennel Club - Thousand Oaks, CA Los Robles Greens Men’s Club - Thousand Oaks, CA Middlebury Animal Clinic - Middlebury, IN Mile Hi Golden Retriever Club - Fort Collins, CO Monterey Bay Dog Training Club, Inc. - Watsonville, CA Mount Cross Lutheran Church - Camarillo, CA Office of The Chaplain - United States Navy - Pt. Hueneme CBC Base, CA Old Broad’s Club - Plymouth, MA Pebble Beach Riding and Trails Association - Pebble Beach, CA Phoenix Lodge #144 F&AM - San Francisco, CA Sacramento Metropolitan Firefighters Association - Rancho Cordova, CA Santa Barbara Club - Santa Barbara, CA Shadow Lake Village Pet Club - Red Bank, NJ Somis Thursday Club, Inc. - Camarillo, CA St. Andrews Woman’s Club - Irmo, SC State Employees’ Community Campaign - Indianapolis, IN Student Math League - St. Louis Community College - Meramec - Saint Louis, MO Symphony of Life Spiritual Center - Ojai, CA Tender Loving Dog Care - Mansfield, OH The Columbus Foundation - Columbus, OH The Southwind Doll Club - Fallbrook, CA Truist - New York, NY
30
UAW Local 1777 - Shelby Township, MI Union County Humane Society - Union, SC VCA East Mill Plain Animal Hospital - Vancouver, WA Vet Tech Institute - Pittsburgh, PA West Los Angeles Obedience Training Club Inc. - Valley Village, CA Women’s Fellowship First Congregational Church - National City, CA Women’s Welcome Group of Lincoln - Lincoln, NE Yahoo Employee Funds - Princeton, NJ Zee Medical Service #34 - Ojai, CA Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church - Oldwick, NJ SCHOOLS Baker Elementary School - San Jose, CA Bennett’s Mill Middle School - Fayetteville, GA Brooklyn College Academy - Brooklyn, NY Corporal Alex F. Kivlehan School - Staten Island, NY Fort Settlement Middle School - Sugar Land, TX PS 153 Maspeth Elementary - Ridgewood, NY Ruggles Lane School - Barre, MA Susan E. Wagner High School - Staten Island, NY Vergennes High School - Vergennes, VT Waldorf School - Sebastopol, CA Warren F. Kaynor Technical High School - Waterbury, CT UNITED WAY Bank of America United Way Campaign California Capital Region Central and Northeastern Connecticut Central Maryland Delaware Greater Los Angeles Greater Milwaukee Inland Valleys National Capital Area Northern California Rhode Island San Joaquin County Santa Barbara County Somerset County / Northern New Jersey The Indiana Association of United Ways Valley of the Sun
Eric Darling & Ben (Boeing Fire Department/California Task Force 5) have joined SDF’s enthusiastic roster of Search Teams who visit schools and community groups to raise awareness about Disaster Search. They recently met 80 students at Loma Vista School in Ventura, CA, and they received lots of fan mail from the students. Here’s Eric’s response to student Caiden on Ben’s behalf: “Thank you for your wonderful letter! In answer to your questions: What does Ben watch on TV? Ben loves Animal Planet and the History Channel. What does Ben do for fun? Fun for Ben is training and playing with his brother Wyatt in the backyard. How does Ben train? We make up problems that we hope will never happen and train on them. Does Ben stick his head out the window? Well that is a good question – no, he does not. Because of his safety he has to be in his dog crate while in a moving car - just like you have to wear your seatbelt, Ben has to be in his crate. Thanks for your great questions!” – Pawsitively Yours, Eric & Ben
Ben surrounded by fans Photo: Tracy Darling