Game Changer of the Year

"Game Changers are the everyday people making a difference within their communities through service, leadership and volunteerism. Through the Come Together Game Changers program, the Detroit Pistons are recognizing and rewarding these unsung heroes throughout the state of Michigan.

Game Changers are nominated by fellow community members, friends or family and this year’s Game Changer of the Year will be gifted a 2013 Chrysler 300C John Varvatos Limited Edition.".

There are people all over the world who do amazing things for their communities everyday and no one even knows it. Until organizations like the Detroit Pistons bring a group from their State to the forefront. They ask the public to help reward one who they feel has gone above and beyond the rest to make a positive difference for Michigan.

There are 10 people nominated by friends, neighbors or someone who's life was forever changed by one of these special people and then the public casts their votes on who they feel should win.

It is a 2 tier process to determine who will be the finalists for the grand prize. First the top 10 nominees are listed along with a brief description of what they have done to be a part of this special group of people. And through public voting the top 3 are then chosen.

Once they are reviled the public again can chose between them to find the grand prize winner.

Your probably wondering why I am posting this and yes it's a good reason. 

A person I consider a special friend, whom I call my brother because our work is similar and brought us together, is nominated.

His name is Jamie Jones. He began the Missing You Foundation which is a proactive group of people who not only list missing people but actively search for them all over Michigan.

Jamie has worked non stop to help bring other's loved ones home, despite paying for everything himself to the point of eating PB&J every night, he never takes a penny from the families. I've known him to go without the things you and I count on like Internet, phones and yes even electric just so he could help others.

His wonderful wife Marsha supports him 100% and helps him with his work as well. She keeps his spirit up when investigations aren't going well. She celebrates with him when he finds the person he was looking for alive. She cries with him when they are found deceased.

Jamie takes every case personally, like many of us in the Missing/Abducted community. His selfless acts inspire many around him to also try and help in anyway they can.


From the Game Changer of the Year webpage:

Jamie Jones

"Jamie spends the majority of his time searching and often successfully finding missing youth and adults in and out of the state of Michigan. He rallies search party volunteers, makes phones calls and uses his CB radio equipment to spread information to help in the search for missing persons. In addition to providing on-the-ground support for the search and rescue mission, he also extends himself to the families and loved ones of the missing to assist them during the ordeal - both emotionally and in providing any other assistance as needed."

So I am asking all our readers the please help us, help Jamie win this award. It will bring even more people to the Missing/Abducted field as well as give them more knowledge on how they too can make a difference in others lives and their own.

To read more about Jamie, the contest and to vote simply click Here .

If you can I ask you also tell your friends and family so they too can vote. You don't have to be from Michigan to help in this program.

Will you be the Game Changer who makes a difference in this man's life? I sure hope so.

Good Luck Bro, love ya!

 

 

David Lohr being "let go" by the Discovery Channel, We have to stop this!

David Lohr being "let go" by the Discovery Channel, We have to stop this!

OK You know me, when I get on my soapbox I don't hold back. The injustice this time is the laying off of David Lohr from Investigation Discovery. David writes for the Criminal Report Daily, an in depth look at missing person's cases as well as murders.

The Author description says that " David Lohr has been writing about crime and criminals for over 15 years. Readers and critics alike regard Mr. Lohr as one of the most prominent crime writers of the 21st century." and yet he was one of about 30 who were given pink slips the other day.

In 2008 David left CourtTV/TruTV to join the Discovery Channels new network ID Investigation Discovery where he heads up the Criminal Report. As a major advocate for the missing and murdered he brings their stories to the forefront and gives them names and voices.

David has also put his time and money where his mouth is by going on searches as well as putting up his own money for Rewards. He is more than an extremely talented journalist he is a humanitarian with a huge heart. He truly cares for the people who are missing and the families left behind. To him it doesn't matter if the person went missing this morning or 15 years ago, if he can help he will!

He has done many articles on cold cases that never had any publicity. He doesn't look for the most high profile cases. He believes they are all important no matter the situation or economic status of the family, Missing is Missing.

Without David at ID the hopes and dreams of the families that their loved one can be found and brought home because of what he wrote will be extinguished.

There have been several articles about David and the others losing their job.

Dana Williams at AC (Associated Content) wrote: "David was the linch-pin of the Investigation Discovery site. He is an outstanding journalist, and to do this to him boggles my mind," Simon (at BNN) wrote. "David Lohr is one of the great advocates for missing children, his work on the Caylee Anthony search is a case in point. Unbiased, objective, and always probing, his articles on the case were the ones that people read first."

Michelle McKee of "In Cold Blog" also wrote: " While it is not the first shake up to go down at Discovery, this one is a major one, and it seems counterproductive to Discovery’s goals to get rid of a journalist and investigative reporter of Lohr’s caliber. Advertising revenue will be lost if the blog goes down, David’s large fan base will look elsewhere to find their information and, most importantly, the families of those with missing loved ones will have lost an important venue with integrity and credibility from where they can reach out to others."

In an effort to try and stop this travesty a Facebook cause was set up called Save Discovery Channel Programming and Jobs. It is a protest aimed at showing Discovery Channel what an unbelievable mistake they are making.

In this group we encourage everyone to visit Discovery Channel's Viewer Relations link and fill out the form in support of keeping David. Also if you are a member of Facebook you can join their Investigation Discovery Fan Page and let your voice be heard.

One person can truly make a difference, will it be you? Will you help the missing all around the world come home? David may be the difference between families being reunited or lost in the shadows. Please help with this campaign and stop Discovery Channel from ignoring the needs of the people and do the right thing.

Thank you for reading.

This is Our Calling

This is Our Calling


None of us asked for this job. What person in their right mind would want to feel the pain and loss we each feel. The grief when someone is found dead. The tearing of our hearts when the person is found but not in the same condition they left in. We can't only feel joy of a person being found and returned to their family.

It is all connected.


The sleepless nights wondering where someone is or trying to understand how another human being could kill an innocent person. Answers that we will never get no matter how much we want them. The hours searching for updates on a case. The scrapes and blisters from searching the woods all day. The anxiety over did we do everything we could or did we miss something. The blurry eyes and headaches from researching all hours of the night and lack of sleep.


The frustration when we don't feel like we are getting anywhere or helping enough. The darkest time of night when we ask why am I doing this, it isn't even my family. The missed appointments and school plays lost because we were talking to a person who's family member is missing and comforting them.


None of us want this. We do this not for a pat on the back or 15 minutes on TV, we do this for all the people who can't. Yes it's very hard, yes it can be more painful than you can imagine. But all that can't compare to the feeling you get when you help bring a person home.

The day you don't feel anything when you hear a person was hurt or killed needlessly is the day you should walk away.

We are a unique group of people who are drawn to each other. Complete strangers who have a common bond, helping the helpless. We support each other and give words of comfort or encouragement. We keep each other going because deep down we understand when others don't. Like I said before none of us want this...


it is our calling.

It will never happen to me. Oh Really?

It will never happen to me.

How many of us watch the evening news and see a Missing Child or Adult Alert.

OK everyone.

Our hearts go out to the families and we hope for a happy ending. If it isn't resolved quickly we then start ripping apart the family of the poor missing person. "How could they let a child that age out of their sight?" or "They knew the person has mental problems why didn't they take away their keys?" Yeah hind sight is 20/20 but let's get real here. What if this were your family, would hind sight be anything to you now? Is it helpful?

Everyone thinks well this will never happen to me or my family, you couldn't be more wrong.

Every 41 seconds someone in this country is abducted. Maybe it was your neighbour taking their son/daughter because they don't have custody, your sister went to the store to get smokes and never came home because her ex grabbed her off the street and drove away, your brother stopped on the freeway to help a fellow driver with car trouble and now his car sits abandoned, someone came in the window and took your child while you were reading this post. It CAN happen to anyone, even you!

What have you done today to prepare for it? Family ID/DNA kits are one thing you can control in this world. Many organizations offer free ID kits you can send for or print out. I personally have instructions on how to make my own at home out of regular household items. And in this economy the make your own DNA kits are priceless.

No, none of my family has gone missing or been abducted so you ask why do i care? Because I know it can happen! And God forbid it does I have the important information I need ready. I thank God everyday I have my family and then I pray for those who don't.

Don't wait for this to happen to you, because it can. Talk to your family about safety.

Set up secret words for when someone other than you picks your child up from school or playground.

Explain about wrong touching and when to tell someone.

Look up Sex Offenders in your neighbourhood, know their faces and addresses. Make sure your child stays away.

If you can't meet or take your child to the bus stop set up a buddy system with another parent you know and trust to watch your child and do the same for them.

Make ID/DNA Kits and keep them updated. Share the instructions with other parents, teachers and the community.

Here is your hind sight...will you use it?

Our First Video

Ok I finally figured out how to make a windows movie. I added pictures from our list of missing persons sites as well as NCMEC.

Please watch and let us know what you think. It is on our Face Book and You Tube accounts.

I know I haven't posted them, that is because we are still setting them up. As soon as they are done, you'll have them.

It is also on the front of our forum.

I will do a follow up so if you know someone who i should add let me know.

**Note: Jason Holley was Located Murdered, I am attempting to update the Video. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. Thank You**

Jordon Townsend is Missing, An open letter from her mom.

Name: Jordon Lawren Townsend

Case Number: R0805017

Case Type: Runaway

Last Seen in: Austin (Travis County)

Last Seen on: 5/23/2008

Height: 5' 04"

Weight: 161 lbs.

Age Missing: 15

Eye Color: Green

Hair Color: Black

Date of Birth: 6/22/1992

Race: White

Sex: Female

State Missing From: Texas

Country Missing From: USA

Circumstances: Jordon has a small scar at the outer corner of her left eyebrow, a scar on top of her left fore-arm and a gap between her two front teeth. She has freckles and moles along her jaw line. Jordon suffers from asthma, A.D.D. and allergies. She is possibly in the company of an adult female, Denise Duncan.

You can contact the Missing Persons Clearinghouse at : Missing Persons Clearinghouse Texas Department of Public Safety P O Box 4087 Austin, Texas 78773-0422 Phone: (512) 424-5074

Jordon's Mom wrote this story on our site about her wonderful daughter:

Hello.

It's the most surreal thing to do a google search for your child's name and find sites like this. You click on the link's and stare in disbelief because that isn't supposed to be your child's beautiful face looking back at you from the screen. But it is. It's my beautiful little girl. Thank you so much for posting this on your site. I seem to be at a loss for words now-a-days so please forgive me if I muddle this all up. But I'd love to tell you a little about Jordon if I could.

She's currently 15 years old. She has the most wonderful smile you've ever seen. And a contagious laugh. Ever since she was a baby she'll giggle and laugh and pretty soon the entire room is laughing right along with her. She plays the Cello and the Guitar. She played with the Austin Chamber Music Center for several years. I've been so proud of her. She has ADD and the last year and half have been hard for her because we didn't realize what it was. So her grades were failing and she was having a hard time concentrating. But, we got that corrected and I'm so proud to say that if she hadn't gone missing she would have passed the 10th grade without having to go to summer school this year.

AND, check this out... we got her TAKS test results and she passed EVERYTHING, even the hard math parts, with above average scores. I wish she was here so I could tell her about it. She doesn't know yet how great she was doing. She's worked so hard. She has a heart as big as all outdoors. She loves animals of all kinds. She has a thing for goats. LOL... I don't know why but she just loves them so much! You've never been on a real trip until you are in a car heading to north Texas, drive for 18 hours because you took a wrong turn (we should have been there in 12 hours), and every 5 to 20 miles you hear a squeal in the back seat from a teenager going "Oooh look at the goats! Look! It's goats!! They're sooooo cute!!" Simply amazing! She won't even kill a bug unless I'm freaking out because it's one of those big yucky water bugs and then she'll save the day for me.

We wrestle and laugh and watch movies and talk and read. We got down to the Barnes and Noble bookstore down here and sit together, read our book, drink a coffee and chat. It's one of our favorite things to do together.

Jordon is my miracle. She's my only child. I am so lost without her. I go to her room several times a day and just stand in the doorway. I keep thinking that if I stand there long enough she'll somehow just be there. Especially at night. I go in and expect to see her sleeping. Anyway, I just want to thank you so much for putting Jordon's information out there. It means a lot to me.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Thank you again. Jordon's Mom

You can visit Jordon's Moms blog at http://bringjordonhome.blogspot.com/

And for updates and printable posters visit Jordon's thread HERE.

Anquiaette Parker and Cermen Lemont Toney, Jr. Bodies Identified.

Bodies Identified in Missing Persons Case

Created: 3/27/2008 12:30:04 PM
Last updated: 3/27/2008 11:05:26 PM

(KSDK) -- Illinois State Police have tentatively identified the remains of two individuals that were found in a cistern in Collinsville on Wednesday.

The remains were identified as those of 19-year-old Anquiaette Parker, and her 4-year-old cousin, Cermen Lemont Toney, Jr., or "C.J." as he was known. The pair disappeared back in November 2005 when Parker, who was pregnant at the time, was babysitting C.J.

NewsChannel 5 has also learned that two persons of interest were taken into custody, with charges expected to be filed on Friday.

State Police have not said what evidence was uncovered, but they are telling us it has been sent to a state police crime lab, and it is likely some D.N.A testing will take place. A source close to the investigation confirmed human remains were found during digging on Wednesday. Police said a tip from a new property owner led them to their dig site, behind a home, right next to Fairmont Park Race Track, where investigators were still working to uncover evidence Thursday afternoon.

Police said the property owner called them when he found something he thought would be of interest to investigators. What that was, police won't say, but they said he found it while clearing brush and outbuildings on his newly purchased land in the 9200 block of Collinsville Road.

Police said they've had their eye on the property, which they've searched dozens of times, and the two men who used to live on the property, who they've interviewed multiple times, ever since the missing pair disappeared.

Greg Fernandez is a retired Illinois State Police Lieutenant. He was one of the lead investigators in the missing persons case. Fernandez says, "We did over 25 searches by land and air, and we had horses and bloodhounds but never could find a body."

Anquiaette Parker's car was found not far from the dig site at a veteran's hall shortly after she disappeared. At this point, police weren't commenting on any possible motive in this case, but a source close to the investigation tells NewsChannel 5 that police "believe there's indication why this happened."

Greg Fernandez says, "I am sad for the families but at least they get to come home for a proper burial."

http://www.ksdk.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=143072

Better Late Than Never..Missing Person's Calendar

Find Missing 2007 Printable Calendar

L&C Missing Ribbons Organization Legacy for Laci & Conner & all missing

Find Missing 2007 Calendar Participant list Step1- First click& print 2007-Free Printable calendar version template link below.[For best results, Glossy paper recommended].Please email us at : ribbontribute@yahoo.com *Let us know how many calendars you print . A Total Count is needed! We also will list everyone who participates in our calendar efforts as a thank-you to you all. 2007- Free Printable version Calendar Templete Step 2- Using cover page below. First flip paper Upside down,Facing down, on back side of cover pg. ...Print [Jan Missing Person's flyer]. Then Jan. mo. same way and so on. Sample of ..January Missing Calendar Missing Flyers To Print Below Find Missing 2007 Cover January- Missing Jonathan James Betts February- Missing Jason Jolkowski March- Missing Gina Bos April- Missing Patricia Viola May- Missing Cynthia Day June- Missing Tara Grinstead July- Missing Rachel Cooke Under construction June-Dec 07.

Please click on links above to download this calendar.