Officer Julie Schmidt is presented with a check from Target to help purchase a new DAREN Costume for LMPD.

LMPD Gets A New DAREN Costume

 Officer Julie Schmidt of the Louisville Metro Police Department has acquired funding for a DAREN suit for the LMPD. Julie asked her office grant writer (Susan Bowling) if there were any sources of money which could be used to purchase a DAREN suit. Susan told Julie about the local grants which were available from Target, Inc. Susan wrote the grant for Julie and in short order, Julie learned that Target was willing to provide $2,000.00 toward the purchase of the suit.

Julie still had $1,159.00 to find before the suit could be ordered. Julie then contacted Mr. Maurice Risner, the Executive Director, Student Relations and Safety and explained her problem to him. Julie has such enthusiasm and passion for the kids and the DARE program, she was able to get Mr. Risner to agree to provide the remaining funding for the DAREN suit.

On November 19, 2008 at Bates Elementary, Target and the Jefferson County Board of Education met with Julie and her students for the announcement of the pending purchase. Also present at the announcement was Bruce Olin (Kentucky DARE Coordinator) and DAREN along with other past and present DARE officers.