The First Responders Foundation today announced a new public initiative to help support Omaha’s police officers.
The First Responders, along with Mayor Jean Stothert, community supporters and Omaha Police Department officers and officials, unveiled the Support Blue campaign at an 11 a.m. news conference at the Omaha Police mounted patrol barn.
Support Blue will encourage citizens to show support for police officers and provide ways for them to express gratitude for their role in keeping Omaha safe. The campaign will allow the public to post “thank you” notes to first responders on the Support Blue website at SupportBlueOmaha.com, and use the #SupportBlue hashtag to share their support on social media. The campaign also includes TV, radio, outdoor advertising, posters and other materials that corporations, the media, schools, nonprofits and the public can use to support the effort. The materials are available for download at SupportBlueOmaha.com. In addition to First Responders, friends and donors are providing additional assistance to keep the campaign in front of the public during the upcoming weeks.
“The campaign is something new and exciting for our foundation,” said Ray Somberg, First Responders Foundation president and executive director of the nonprofit organization. “Typically, the First Responders Foundation provides financial support for youth programs and training and safety equipment for police, firefighters and members of the community,” Somberg added. “Support Blue is about gratitude and building the morale of the women and men who risk their lives to protect us each and every day.”
In creating the Support Blue campaign, the First Responders Foundation hopes to address what the foundation feels is a steadily increasing negative public response toward police and to strengthen relations between first responders and the public to enhance the safety of the Omaha community.
“In working regularly with our city’s first responders, I can see how far a ‘thank you’ goes to build morale and help foster better relations between officers and the community,” said Mayor Stothert.
“At Omaha 360, we know there is no one, single solution to affect positive change in our community,” said Jami Anders-Kemp, director of the nonprofit organization focusing on reducing gun and gang violence in Omaha. “The officers do things very few people see, like taking youth to sporting events, praying alongside residents at prayer walks and many other things to show their commitment to a community we call home. We applaud and support this effort for the community to show them our gratitude.”
“I want to personally thank the First Responders Foundation for their continued support of the Omaha Police Department,” said Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer. “The Support Blue campaign is another great example of how the foundation is able to make a positive impact on our police department and in our community. The community effort will go a long way in supporting the morale of my officers and have a positive impact on these men and women who serve our community.”
For more information visit SupportBlueOmaha.com.
About First Responders Foundation
The First Responders Foundation is a local, not-for-profit organization that provides support to Omaha’s police and firefighters, providing them with much-needed equipment to enhance public safety in our community. The First Responders Foundation mission is to enhance public safety in our community by providing resources to police officers and firefighters and to show appreciation to our first responders for their dedication to our safety.
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>p>The First Responders Foundation today announced a new public initiative to help support Omaha’s police officers. >br />>br />The First Responders, along with Mayor Jean Stothert, community supporters and Omaha Police Department officers and officials, unveiled the Support Blue campaign at an 11 a.m. news conference at the Omaha Police mounted patrol barn. >br />>br />Support Blue will encourage citizens to show support for police officers and provide ways for them to express gratitude for their role in keeping Omaha safe. The campaign will allow the public to post “thank you” notes to first responders on the Support Blue website at SupportBlueOmaha.com, and use the #SupportBlue hashtag to share their support on social media. The campaign also includes TV, radio, outdoor advertising, posters and other materials that corporations, the media, schools, nonprofits and the public can use to support the effort. The materials are available for download at SupportBlueOmaha.com. In addition to First Responders, friends and donors are providing additional assistance to keep the campaign in front of the public during the upcoming weeks. >br />>br />“The campaign is something new and exciting for our foundation,” said Ray Somberg, First Responders Foundation president and executive director of the nonprofit organization. “Typically, the First Responders Foundation provides financial support for youth programs and training and safety equipment for police, firefighters and members of the community,” Somberg added. “Support Blue is about gratitude and building the morale of the women and men who risk their lives to protect us each and every day.” >br />>br />In creating the Support Blue campaign, the First Responders Foundation hopes to address what the foundation feels is a steadily increasing negative public response toward police and to strengthen relations between first responders and the public to enhance the safety of the Omaha community. >br />>br />“In working regularly with our city’s first responders, I can see how far a ‘thank you’ goes to build morale and help foster better relations between officers and the community,” said Mayor Stothert. >br />>br />“At Omaha 360, we know there is no one, single solution to affect positive change in our community,” said Jami Anders-Kemp, director of the nonprofit organization focusing on reducing gun and gang violence in Omaha. “The officers do things very few people see, like taking youth to sporting events, praying alongside residents at prayer walks and many other things to show their commitment to a community we call home. We applaud and support this effort for the community to show them our gratitude.” >br />>br />“I want to personally thank the First Responders Foundation for their continued support of the Omaha Police Department,” said Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer. “The Support Blue campaign is another great example of how the foundation is able to make a positive impact on our police department and in our community. The community effort will go a long way in supporting the morale of my officers and have a positive impact on these men and women who serve our community.” >br />>br />For more information visit SupportBlueOmaha.com. >br />>br />>strong>About First Responders Foundation>/strong> >br />The First Responders Foundation is a local, not-for-profit organization that provides support to Omaha’s police and firefighters, providing them with much-needed equipment to enhance public safety in our community. The First Responders Foundation mission is to enhance public safety in our community by providing resources to police officers and firefighters and to show appreciation to our first responders for their dedication to our safety.>/p>