As thousands of children from Skid Row and the inner city lined up for the Fred Jordan Mission's 25th Annual Back-to-School Giveaway, they were joined by a sight slightly unfamiliar to Los Angeles' inner city; over fifty members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's City of Industry Sheriff's Station. These volunteers, reserves, explorers, and deputies, led by Captain Timothy K. Murakami, arrived at the mission for a specific purpose to volunteer.
For over 25 years, the Fred Jordan mission has partnered with various companies to provide new shoes, school supplies, backpacks, toiletries and new clothes to over 125,000 children just starting the school year. For the past five-years Captain Murakami has been one of the countless volunteers who walk with the children as escorts through this experience.
Speaking with personnel assigned to Industry Sheriff's Station, Captain Murakami realized numerous people assigned to the station were unaware such a program existed and were more than willing to attend. "In Law Enforcement we are all too often tasked to deal with situations that leave people with a heavy heart at the end of the day. Volunteering at the Fred Jordan Mission gives me an opportunity to 'do good' for people without that feeling. When speaking about my experiences at the Mission, I was overwhelmed with the countless others who felt the same way at my station. After a bit of organization, we, as a station were able to muster over fifty people who were willing to donate their time to help a child not only from Industry Station, but from various divisions throughout the Sheriff's Department."
So, on Thursday, October 3, 2013, over fifty members of the Industry Sheriff's Station joined the Fred Jordan Mission in providing for the needs of thousands of underprivileged youth. These children and their families were provided with a meal donated by "In-n-out" before the children were escorted through the lines by Deputies, Explorers, and countless volunteers from Industry Station and the Fred Jordan Mission. The children received new shoes from "Footlocker," school supplies, backpacks, toiletries and new clothes. Children were also offered free haircuts from the "Paul Mitchell Schools."
In addition to escorting children through their experience, members of Industry Station provided event security, and distributed gifts. "Wherever I looked throughout the day, I saw men and women in uniform from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department" said Willie Jordan, President of Fred Jordan Missions. "Their presence helped create a calm atmosphere for the moms and children, as well as for all of the volunteers."
The Fred Jordan Missions, open 365 days a year since 1944, feeds hundreds of hungry people and provides assistance to impoverished individuals and families. The Mission is a non-profit, faith based, educational and relief organization that focuses on education, job training, and self-reliance.
If you are interested in learning more about Back to School event, please visit the link below.
http://www.fjm.org/charitable_giving/charity_gifts/back_to_school
Sergeant Bob Boese,
Captain Timothy Murakami
Industry Sheriff Station
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
150 North Hudson Ave. City of Industry, CA 91744
Phone: 626-330-3322
http://Industry.lasd.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IndustrySheriffsStation
Twitter: https://twitter.com/INDLASD
Sheriff Leroy D Baca, Sheriff
Los Angeles County
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