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 Folks
had to wonder, "Is that Elvis in the building?" He ate a record
three suicide hot wings, had to be dragged off the dance floor at the
end of the night and was the life of the party!
David Caldwell's impersonation of the musical icon and his genuine good
natured personality entertained law enforcement officers who traveled
to Buffalo in November for the International Law Enforcement Torch Run
Conference just about every night. Caldwell was the first athlete to ever
attend the event from North Carolina and he earned the honor.
For every $20,000 a law enforcement department raises for Special Olympics
they earn an invitation to the Conference. The Wilkes County Police Department
had two invitations and Wilkes PD Coordinator, Bill Lyons knew immediately
Caldwell deserved to accompany him.
Caldwell has been supporting Lyons and the other officers in Wilkes County
with their Torch Run efforts for about nine years but in 2006 Caldwell
stepped up his involvement. The 24 year-old decided to set a personal
goal to raise $5,000 for the annual Wilkes County Polar Plunge held in
March. He sat down and penned a letter describing the polar plunge, his
fundraising goal and his love for Special Olympics. He mailed it out to
family, friends and community acquaintances. Lo and behold the money started
to come in. Every day more and more responses and donations came in and
before Caldwell knew it he had surpassed his goal and raised $6,700!
"David helps out in every way you can imagine," said Lyons.
"He also raised $8,800 in T-shirts and cap donations, plus he helps
set up and clean up at our events. He really deserved something for all
his work."
The Conference was fun but also very motivational for Caldwell. During
a session about online fundraising, he told Lyons, "I can do that!"
He still intends to hand-write a letter but is now also planning to create
his own personal fundraising Web page at www.firstgiving.com and post
a photo of himself to solicit funds for the 2007 Wilkes County Police
Department's Polar Plunge on March 3. He also was very inspired during
a presentation about approaching sponsors. Since returning to Wilkes County,
Lyons has brought along Caldwell to speak to potential sponsors. He brings
his scrapbook, tells them his story and speaks from the heart. Lyons credits
him with already bringing in new monies as they secured Paradise Trucking
as a sponsor in mid-December.
The Conference was a great experience for Caldwell and the most heart-warming
moment for Lyons came when Caldwell told him he now truly "felt like
one of the officers."
Congratulations David and thanks for all your work for the Torch Run!
Good luck raising more funds and awareness in your community in 2007!!
Nominate a person to be featured in "Spotlight On" -Contact
Leah Sundheim at 1-800-843-6276,
ext. 110.
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