On Saturday, Feb. 12, the Queen Creek Police Department will receive special welcome bags from the non-profit group, Supporting the Thin Blue Line.
"We put together appreciation bags for every sworn, civilian, canine and horse law enforcement employee in the state of Arizona," said Amanda Howard, a supervisor for 18 years with the Phoenix Police Department's 911 communication dispatch center. She started the non-profit Supporting the Thin Blue Line in February 2021 to help "pay it forward."
Everyone from police officers to support staff gets a bag that contains everything from hand sanitizer to snacks and handwritten thank you cards to an angel to watch over them at work.
"I created (Supporting the Thin Blue Line) basically to support all Arizona police organizations," Howard said. "We show support to them and get our resources out to let them know what groups and resources are available to them and give them items they can take on patrol.
"We'll be creating and delivering the bags to Queen Creek on Feb. 12 and we need the communities help with donating items," Howard continued. "Our bags include items such as crunchy granola bars, packs of gum, individual bags of goldfish crackers, beef jerky, peanuts, trail mix, fruit snacks, etc. Our canine and horse bags/buckets get treats, toys and grooming supplies. We also include a hand written thank you card and are always looking for help with those as well."
Howard, who serves as treasurer of Supporting the Thin Blue Line, said the group does something every month for law enforcement across the state and are always in need of volunteers and donations of supplies or money to buy the supplies for each bag.
If interested in helping out the non-profit organization in any way, join the Supporting the Thin Blue Line Facebook group or email Howard at amanda.stbl@gmail.com.
