Media Alert



For further information please contact:

Capt. Christian T. Ricks

(573) 526-6115



January 31, 2005

EMPHASIS: Patrol, Make-A-Wish Grant Wishes





Colonel Roger D. Stottlemyre, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, invites members of the media to attend a special presentation at 11 a.m., Wednesday, February 9, 2005, in the second floor conference room of the Waggoner Building at General Headquarters, Jefferson City, MO. The Patrol’s presentation will be made jointly with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Employees at the Patrol worked together to raise enough funds to send two young children to Disney World in Orlando, FL.



What began as a challenge by the Information Systems Division at General Headquarters to raise money for a little girl named Raven grew into a fund-raising effort of great proportion. Highway Patrol employees at General Headquarters, Troop D, Troop F, and Troop G voluntarily held various fund-raisers in order to raise the money needed. Due to the generosity of all these employees, not only is Raven going to meet Mickey Mouse, but also, a second young child, Jordan, will have his wish granted and visit Disney World in Orlando, FL.



On February 9, a giant ticket representing each child’s trip to Disney World will be presented to these special children. Personnel from General Headquarters, and Troops D, F, and G, along with the commanding officers from each of those troops, will be present for the ceremony. In addition, Patrol employees have special gifts for Raven and Jordan to enjoy on their Florida trips.



The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a national organization with the mission of granting wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. These children are ages 2 1/2 through 18. Their wishes are granted through the generosity of others.



“I am very proud of the Patrol employees who voluntarily participated in this important effort,” said Colonel Stottlemyre. “Their generosity has brightened the lives of two families. The Patrol is proud to have been in partnership with Make-A-Wish Foundation.”



This recent effort is not the first time Patrol employees reached out to children in need through Make-A-Wish. During the summer 2004, two teams of employees built play sets for two families in the Central Missouri area.