1% of Americans may be fighting our wars, but we need 100% of Americans to be supporting our troops and their families. Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden are asking Americans to get involved in any way they can. Cops 4 Causes has heard the call to action and has enlisted the help of the public safety community to do our part to support our troops. In addition to establishing our “R.J. Cottle Return Heroes Veteran Fund,” in honor of LAPD SWAT Officer and USMC Sergeant Major Robert James Cottle, Cops 4 Causes has endeavored to inspire all 800,000 sworn members of law enforcement throughout America to lend a hand. We invite you to join us in support of Joining Forces and to take part in Cops 4 Causes, “Heroes Helping Heroes”.
OPERATION Working Together
On Presidents Day 2012, U.S Congressman David Rivera, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Christopher T. Landavazo, U.S. Southern Command Chaplain Lt. Col. Marvin Williams, Ronald Infantino (Eastern Flight 401 Survivor) and German Consul General Eva Countess Kendeffy, enjoy Krispy Kreme doughnuts during a ceremony held at Miami International Airport to commemorate the shipment of 6,000 Krispy Kreme doughnuts being donated to U.S. troops stationed throughout Europe. The shipment of Krispy Kreme doughnuts was carried free-of-charge by Lufthansa Airlines.
The event was inspired by an American on a layover in Germany who asked a service member stationed there if there was anything theycould do. A taste of home, in the form of a "Krispy Kream" doughnut was all that was requested. This request was fulfilled and from this exchange a movement of first responders heading the call of the “Joining Forces” initiative was born.
The American sought out Cops 4 Causes as the organization best suited to unite the first responder community and to lead the efforts of bringing together communities to support our troops. Cops 4 Causes Founder and President, Deputy Christopher T. Landavazo along with the Cops 4 Causes board of directors are honored to incorporate the initiative, under our “R.J. Cottle Returning Heroes Veterans Fund” and to lead a national effort under “Joining Forces” to help our Military Heroes.
Heroes Helping Heroes
Since the events of 9/11, over a million U.S. service members have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan in the war against terrorism. Currently the U.S. has nearly 140,000 troops still deployed. The DOD estimates that 360,000 returning service members suffer from Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and over 31,000 have sustained other serious injuries. In addition to these injuries many will suffer with anger management, depression, and substance abuse issues.
Currently the City of Los Angeles has the largest homeless veteran population in the United States. Over the course of the year, in the United Stated States, an estimated 144,842 veterans spent at least 1 night homeless, living in emergency shelters or transitional housing units (HUD, 2010). Cops 4 Causes is committed to ensuring services for our fighting men and women will be available when they return.
Cops 4 Causes supports “Joining Forces” comprehensive approach to providing support vital to helping our veteran’s transition from military life. Funds raised by our efforts will support veteran employment, education and wellness programs national.
Law Enforcement / First Responder Connection
The objective of “Heroes Helping Heroes” is to inspire and mobilize the first responder community to do our part to help our brothers and sisters who serve our Nation’s military.
The Cops 4 Causes program under our R.J. Cottle Returning Heroes Veteran Fund, is a unique opportunity to forge a partnership between “Joining Forces”, the first responder community, sponsors and community supporters to give back and to help our veterans. Law enforcement and first responders by virtue of their status as public servants have the ability to speak out and to connect with ordinary Americans from all walks of life. “Working together” we will unite and help support our veterans – Heroes Helping Heroes.
“Many brave men and women have returned to the United States having served in our Nation’s military but have yet to truly return home. It is our duty as Americans to honor the service of those brave men and women who have volunteered to protect and defend our country by ensuring each and every one of them truly returns home.” -Deputy Christopher T. Landavazo
