FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 28, 2022
GRAND COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE & GRANBY POLICE DEPARTMENT PARTNER WITH SHIELD616
GRAND COUNTY, CO- SHIELD616 is launching a fundraising effort with the Grand County Sheriff’s Office and Granby Police Department to provide officers with upgraded protective equipment which our departments do not have in sufficient number, or require replacement due to expiration.
The fundraising goal is to provide ballistic rifle plates for 25 sheriff’s deputies ($1,200 per set), and additional ballistic helmets for 15 sheriff’s deputies ($400 each). The additional helmets would supplement the inventory of helmets available to officers at the Sheriff’s Office. The Granby Police Department is seeking funding to provide RISE armor system ballistic rifle plates and carriers, and ballistic helmets for a minimum of 10 Granby police officers ($2,800 per set).
We are very thankful to the Shield616 donors that already donated $10,000 to the Grand County Sheriff’s Office fund as well as $10,000 to the Granby Police Department funds. We are proud to partner with Shield616 as we raise funds to support both our local agencies and other departments across the country less fortunate.
SHIELD616 and the Grand County Sheriff’s Office are seeking a group of community volunteers and business leaders who would like to become involved in this effort to support front-line officers nationwide. Law enforcement officers unselfishly dedicate themselves to the work of protecting their citizens and we encourage our supporters to participate in this worthwhile effort to protect those who protect others. Any amount is gratefully accepted.
This September, the SHIELD616 cycling team of 35 riders will be riding 463 miles over 5 days starting on UT/CO border and ending on the CO/NE border with 19,500’ elevation gain. Undersheriff Wayne Schafer and Lieutenant Bobby Rauch will be joining this epic journey to help raise funds and awareness to help SHIELD616 protect first responders from multiple different agencies across the state of Colorado. Donations for the 2022 Border to Border Bike Ride can be made online at https://shield616.org/b2b22.
Background: In the 6 years since SHIELD616 was founded, their organization has grown to 4 full-time staff members and over 60 volunteers. They started out by providing active shooter protection for local Colorado Springs agencies. As word got out of their mission, they expanded all over the country. Currently they have helped provide this ballistic gear in 30 states, over 300 agencies, and have protected over 5,000 of first responders. SHIELD616 is seen as a leader in this field and is recognized by both donors and agencies as being a reputable nonprofit that is financially transparent. When SHIELD616 started, their donors consisted primarily of individuals in our community that understood and were passionate about their mission. Since then, our donors have expanded to corporate sponsors, foundations, businesses, churches, and loyal enthusiastic donors.
About SHIELD616: SHIELD616 was formed with the peace officer on patrol in mind. They have since seen the need to help protect all first responders. The goal of SHIELD616 is two-fold. First, they want to equip every first responder with necessary advanced rifle rated equipment. Second, they want to provide a support group for that first responder who will pray for the first responder and his or her family daily and provide the first responder with support and encouragement throughout the year. SHIELD616 is mindful of limited department budgets. Not only will all gear be donated; it will be replaced every five years at no cost to any first responder or department. SHIELD616 is unique and was formed with the vision of having local individuals, churches, Bible study groups, businesses, and foundations “invest in a first responder” not only financially but also personally.
Donations: Donations can be made online at www.shield616.org. Choose Law Enforcement and then either Grand County Sheriff’s Office or the Granby Police Department in the drop-down menu. Checks can be mailed to SHIELD616, 13395 Voyager Parkway Suite 130, Box #516, Colorado Springs, CO 80921. To organize a fundraising effort to help this cause, please reach out to Marcy Deeds, Erin Opsahl or Amy Ryan-Williams.
For Additional Information:
Contact SHIELD616 Donor Relations Manager, Marcy Deeds – Marcy@shield616.org 719-400-8780 or
Grand County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer, Erin Opsahl – Eopsahl@co.grand.co.us 970-531-3884
Granby Police Department Public Information Officer, Amy Ryan-Williams – AWilliams@granbypolice.com 970-887-3007
###