Today I was reminded of how amazing the community of Watsonville is. Over the years, I've had the opportunity to be involved in several community minded organizations and have served on many boards, most recently including the Watsonville Police Assistance Fund board (WPAF). WPAF has given me the chance to work closely with our police officers and I've gotten an inside look into the lives and stories of the men and women of law enforcement. I've gained the highest level of respect for these officers serving their community. During a particularly tumultuous time in American history where officers are challenged daily and often met by public criticism, I felt it would be a good time to share something positive.
If you are local to Watsonville you may have noticed that quite a few officers around town have been growing beards. What you may not know is that they're doing so in support of Children's Cancer Awareness. The local organization Jacob's Heart has teamed up with the department for the 3rd year and it is proving to be a success yet again. In total, there are nearly 30 officers participating in the joint effort fundraiser. This idea came about years back when former Chief of Police Manny Solano was serving on the board for Jacob's Heart. Manny wanted to figure out of way to support to the charity closest to his heart. Working with Lori Butterworth, the founder and Executive Director of Jacob's Heart, they formulated an idea where the officers could get involved and give back to their community. At the time, the police department had a clean shaven policy and all officers abided by those rules. Manny put a temporary wave on the facial hair policy allowing officers to grow beards for 3 months. He figured it would be a great way for officers to show their support by grabbing the public's interest in the cause, too. Each officer participating also donated $100+ as a jumpstart to the fundraising efforts. The Jacob's Heart Foundation is 100% funded by donations and needs the support of the whole community. To join the officers in their contributions, I've provided a link where you can get involved and donate: https://www.classy.org/campaign/watsonville-beard-brigade/c135986
I will be photographing the officers over the next few days and weeks. Enjoy!
To learn more about Jacob's Heart, visit their site: http://www.jacobsheart.org/
Abraham Escobedo
He has been with the Watsonville Police Department for about 1.5 years now and wanted to give back to the community. In college Escobedo was part of a fraternity at San Jose State University that supported the Lucile Packard foundation. Now working in Watsonville he wanted to continue his support for children and was happy to participate in the Project Beard supporting Jacob’s Heart.
Joseph Perez
Joseph wanted to not only help with this fundraiser for the kids but wanted to show his support to both the department and his community. He also is hoping to help other departments join in the efforts in years to come.
Mish Radich
Mish feels that this is such a great cause and when people see him on the streets he can tell them about the fundraiser, bringing more attention to children cancer and Jacob’s Heart.
Noe Rocha
Noe is also proud to support his fellow officers in this fundraiser and show his community the importance of cancer awearness. He wants people to know that he is supporting Jacob’s Heart because “You never know when you will be the one that needs help”
Charles Johnson
Charles wants to support this great cause because “everyone know someone touched by cancer.”
Chris Greene
Cancer has touched several close members of his family in the past and recently. Chris has felt it important to help raise awareness for cancer and has participated for the past 3 years.
Matt Williams
Matt's father and mother-in-law are cancer survivers. He feels it is important to participate and help support the children in the community with cancer.
Burt Iles
Burt has been with the Watsonville Police Department for 20 years and felt this was a good cause to get involved with. He wanted to help families and children with cancer and the Jacob’s Heart fundraiser was a perfect fit.
Juan Bribiesca
Cancer has affected Juan’s family on his mother’s side. He felt this fundraiser was a good way to show his support as well as inspire hope in families that are fighting the disease.
Ely Uretsky
Ely feels it important to support Jacob’s Heart and bring awareness to the organization, especially since they are funded 100% by donations. The general public can get involved too and donate at: https://www.classy.org/campaign/watsonville-beard-brigade/c135986
Javier Ayala
It is important for Javier to support his community in whatever way he can. He shared with me that he has a “soft spot” for children and when this opportunity came up he knew he would be involved. He also feels it is important to show his support for his community since he is out in the public on a regular basis. He feels this is a positive way to be viewed.
Henry Robles
“Unfortunately, cancer has touched several lives of people close to me” says Henry. “It is important for me to show my support to Jacob’s Heart by donating in hopes of assisting local families in any way possible”.
David Rodriguez
"Jacob's Heart provides invaluable support to those families going through some difficult and unfortunate circumstances. I couldn't think of a better organization to support by participating in the beard fundraiser."
Tony Figuerora
Four years ago Tony lost his father and felt this was a good way to not only keep his memory alive but to also support his community and department.
Eric Montalbo
This is Eric’s 3rd year supporting the Jacob’s Heart fundraiser and he is happy to support his fellow officers in their efforts.
Brian Rodriguez
Brian lost his grandmother to cancer and feels it important to not only support the department but to bring awareness to the cause.
Gustavo Zamora
Gustavo is doing this in support of Jacob’s Heart and his community.
Donny Thul
Donny lost his father and both grandparents on his father's side to cancer, so he feels that if he can help raise awareness about cancer in children then he is helping his community.
Jarrod Pisturino:
Jarrod is participating in this fundraiser again to help raise awearness and says its a bonus to not have to shave for a few months.
Fernando Lopez
Fernando has been with the department for 11 years and shared with me that his grandfather passed away from cancer 2 years ago. He wanted to support this cause not only because cancer has touched his family but to support his community.
Saul Valdez
Saul remembered when Jacob’s Heart helped his family 10 years ago. Unfortunately Saul’s relative did not survive cancer but he wanted to be able to give back to the organization and this was the perfect opportunity.