FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 6, 2023
Media Contact:
Chris Hendrickson, Communications Manager
Seattle Police Foundation
425-205-0328 ● chris@seattlepolicefoundation.org
In addition to a $2,500 donation, AT&T volunteers spent three hours assembling cold weather kits that will be distributed by the Seattle Police Department Community Service Officer Unit
SEATTLE, Wash. – Thanks to AT&T, the Seattle Police Department Community Service Officer (CSO) Unit is now much better equipped to provide services to community members during the winter months.
In addition to a $2,500 donation to the Seattle Police Foundation, on Monday, December 4, 2023, an 11-person team from AT&T reported to Seattle Police Department headquarters for a morning of volunteerism. This hard-working crew helped assemble over 300 cold weather kits for CSOs to hand out during the winter months, including high-need items like hand-warmers, hats, and socks. Along with the kits, they assembled 1,000 goody bags for CSOs to distribute at an upcoming community event.
AT&T-Washington State President Carl Gipson was one of the volunteers.
“The Seattle Police Foundation is doing indispensable work developing meaningful connections between police and the communities they serve,” Gipson said. “We are honored to support service enhancements and positive interactions between the community and Seattle’s law enforcement professionals.”
2023 marks the third consecutive year that AT&T has partnered with SPF to support public safety in Seattle. In 2022, AT&T volunteers spent a day connecting Seattle community members with mobile phones via the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides monthly benefits to qualifying families for home internet or wireless service. Additionally, they made a $6,355 donation to SPF for community outreach. In 2021, AT&T’s support was aimed at SPD’s lifesaving EMT Unit.
In addition to packing cold weather kits, AT&T volunteers at Monday’s event got to meet Seattle Police Department Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K9 Nala and her handler Detective Gill, who work in the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit. Additionally, they got to meet Seattle City Councilmember Sara Nelson, who stopped by just in time to watch K9 Nala dazzle guests during a demo in which she found three hidden electronic storage devices.
The Seattle Police Foundation is thankful to AT&T, Seattle Police Department Relational Policing Unit Lt. Brandon James, the CSO Unit, and Detective Gill and K9 Nala for supporting this event and helping pack cold weather kits and goody bags.
We’re also grateful to Councilmember Sara Nelson, for taking the time to learn more about our work.
“This was truly a team effort,” said Seattle Police Foundation CEO Cherie Skager. “SPF was happy to invest in these much-needed cold weather supplies, and is grateful for AT&T’s help in assembling the kits. Partnerships like this amplify our work to support SPD and the Seattle community, and we look forward to working with AT&T more in the future.”
About Philanthropy and Social Innovation at AT&T:
AT&T is committed to advancing education, creating opportunities, strengthening communities, and improving lives. As part of AT&T’s companywide commitment to address the digital divide, it launched AT&T Connected Learning® to invest in connectivity and technology, digital literacy, and education solutions to help today’s learners succeed inside and outside of the classroom. Since 2008 AT&T has committed to programs that help millions of students across all 50 states, Washington D.C and around the world, particularly those in underserved communities.
About the Seattle Police Foundation:
The Seattle Police Foundation raises support and awareness for the Seattle Police Department. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and have proudly served the men and women of SPD and the Seattle community since 2002. Please learn more about us on our website.
