“It was actually driven by one of our communications officers, (April Morgan),” Dick said. “One of her friends is very active in foster care … so that kind of drove the idea since (she) was exposed through her friend to the process and what kids have, what they need, things along those lines.”
So far, the dispatchers have created hats, scarves and some blankets, and donated them to Butler County Children Services.
“I think it’s a true reflection of their drive, their dedication to really be helping people,” Dick said. “Obviously this is a very different way than their normal shift and how they help, but it shows the quality of people that I think we have here at West Chester and our dispatch center.”
West Chester Twp.’s communications officers respond to 500,000 calls each year and are highly trained first responders in the face of emergency, according to Barb Wilson, the township’s spokeswoman.
“They’re among the best in the region … and there are clearly times that there’s not a call coming in for them to manage or to deal with and this is what they’re doing during that time,” Wilson said. “The project that they’ve undertaken in the little bit of time they have between calls is admirable because they could be doing things just for their own benefit. (Instead), they’ve decided to take that time and do something for the community.”
Foster children often are removed from a crisis situation with very little notice and “they have nothing,” Wilson said.
“This provides them with at least a hat and gloves or a scarf or a blanket that’s theirs,” she said.
Do you know a West Chester or Liberty Twp. person or organization doing something to help the community? If so, email Eric.Schwartzberg@coxinc.com.
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