**NO MORE VIOLENCE**
Working together with community and police, there is nothing we cannot accomplish in our communities. The key to success is collaborative partnerships between the private and public sectors. When our children witness adults and our police officers working together, they feel more secure and will follow the examples they see. When we interact with our young people and make them a part of positive events, they then have positive shared experiences with one another. Those positive shared experiences increases existing friendships and develop new friendships. Such activities are positive relationship builders. We then see Bullying and youth violence significantly reduce. Positive shared experiences with examples from adults is the key to a more resilient and safer community. "I need you, you need me, we need each other!"
WHAT TO DO WHEN STOPPED BY POLICE WORKSHOP
This workshop is conducted with from the University of Toledo in partnership with the Junction Coalition, Restorative Justice program and the Toledo Police Division's Community Service Section. The workshop is conducted in two phases. The first phase is a power point presentation, which includes live videos. During this phase we provide information about the responsibility of police officers. The most important highlights includes approaches; why police officers make stops; what your conduct should be; the need to see hands; the need to know you understand what the police officer is saying and the police officer's understanding of what you are saying to them as well. If the stop involves a vehicle, and if it is at night, turn on the inside lights; whether night or day, turn the music down; if you have passengers, keep their conversations to a minimum; the driver placing their hands on steering wheel, with front seat passenger's hands on the dash and back seat passengers' hands on the head rest of the front seats; if you are asked for information such as an ID, registration, insurance, etc., please let the police officer know where it is before reaching for it. Whether in a vehicle or on the streets, comply with the police officer's requests and complain later if you believe the police officer's actions are wrong. You cannot win on the streets.
The power point includes two live video scenes that demonstrates why it is most important to comply. The second phase includes role playing by participants. We place four participants in our stage prop-car, with one being the driver. There are two other participants playing the role of police officers. The first scenario reflect non-compliance. The role playing police officers are instructed to obtain the driver license of the driver, vehicle registration and insurance. The role playing driver refuses to comply to the police officer's request with the passengers interfering in the event. This scenario results in a negative confrontational citizen/police encounter. The second scenario is one of compliance, resulting in a positive citizen/police encounter. In all, the scenarios are designed to be a fun learning experience, resulting in an important life saving message. Though funny, it provides awareness on both sides and deescalating techniques. Special thanks to the University of Toledo students.
The power point includes two live video scenes that demonstrates why it is most important to comply. The second phase includes role playing by participants. We place four participants in our stage prop-car, with one being the driver. There are two other participants playing the role of police officers. The first scenario reflect non-compliance. The role playing police officers are instructed to obtain the driver license of the driver, vehicle registration and insurance. The role playing driver refuses to comply to the police officer's request with the passengers interfering in the event. This scenario results in a negative confrontational citizen/police encounter. The second scenario is one of compliance, resulting in a positive citizen/police encounter. In all, the scenarios are designed to be a fun learning experience, resulting in an important life saving message. Though funny, it provides awareness on both sides and deescalating techniques. Special thanks to the University of Toledo students.
2018 VETERANS DAY "OPERATION SHUT-IN"
On Veterans Day, November 11, 2018, the Toledo Buffalo Soldiers conducted "Operation Shut-In." The operation was started in 2016. Each Veterans day, participating restaurants offer meals to Veterans at no cost. This operation focus on those home-bound Veterans that are not able to leave their residences to obtain a meal due to a medical restriction. The Toledo Buffalo Soldiers, partnered with the Lucas County Veteran Services, and twelve local participating restaurants to deliver meals to home-bound Veterans. Last year we delivers 148 meals to home-bound Veterans. This year we delivered 171 meals as far as Bowling Green, Ohio to home-bound Veterans. What an awesome operation. It wasn't just the meals, but the Veterans enjoyed seeing other veterans and people that visited them. We even met a 101 year old veteran that fought along side allies during the Normandy invasion in World War II. What a great honor to serve these American Soldiers. We also would like to give special thanks to the Vietnam Vet's and Second Brigade motorcycle clubs and all the people that assisted in delivering the meals. Also a special thanks to Clear Channel WSPD 1370 Radio for your support and Key Hotels and Property Management for provide a space at the Hampton Inn for our Operating Center.
It was an honor to serve you and thank you for your service.
It was an honor to serve you and thank you for your service.
Toledo Buffalo Soldiers provides a financial donation to the Boys and Girls Club of Toledo. 2018 Barefoot At The Beach Fundraising Event.
What a great organization that builds positive character in our young people. We are glad to help in this mission.
Consul General D'ani Dayan, Israel's Ambassador, received a brief history lesson about the United States Army's 9th and 10th Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers.
The Toledo Buffalo Soldiers were invited by the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Greater Toledo to meet Consul General D'ani Davan and provide a brief history lesson about the United States Army's legendary Buffalo Soldiers, enacted in 1866 by the 39th United States Congress. What an honor and humbling experience for the Toledo Chapter. After providing history and the mission of the National Association of Buffalo Soldiers and Troopers Motorcycle Clubs', the Consul General tried out the seat on Ms. Mel's Honda Goldwing. There were lots of questions and interest in our history they never knew. We also learned brief history from the Consul General about Ethiopian Jews Israel open their country to that saved them from being part of the slave trade. A little known history fact we did not know either. What a great time we had and what a great honor to meet such an individual.
One of the entities the Toledo Buffalo Soldiers adopted is Woodrow Wilson Park. As part of our recent Buffalo Blues Luau fundraising proceeds, we donated $1,000.00 to Wilson Park to help fund their 2018 summer kids swimming program. The money will be used to pay pool fees for a number of kids to swim this year. Just doing what Buffalo Soldiers and Troopers do to keep the "Dream" alive and it's all good.
TOLEDO BUFFALO SOLDIERS HELP LOCAL COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION
Toledo Family House, a community organization that services families in an immediate housing crises, contacted the Toledo Buffalo Soldiers, requesting our assistance with feeding their residence, due to an emergency situation. So we reached out to our supporters. After explaining the situation, we received overwhelming support. A special thanks to Fred Lefebvre, 1370 WSPD Radio for helping us get the word out. A special thanks to Penta Career Vocational Culinary program, Manhattan Catering Company and many others for your prompt response. We had donors provide food to Penta Culinary students and they cooked the meals. What a great partnership. Thank you everyone that have and are assisting in this operation.
The Toledo Buffalo Soldiers provided history about the U.S. Army's 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments, later nicknamed Buffalo Soldiers, to students at ILead Spring Meadows Charter School, in Holland, Oho. We also provided a supporter's T-shirt to the student showing the most interest. Sammy was that student, preparing his Black History Month project on the Buffalo Soldiers and inviting us to his school. What an awesome student.
Helping our children in need is part of our community service mission. Thanks to our business supporters, we are able to help purchase needs of our school children and other organizations with focus on the well-being of our young people. We purchased school skirts and shoes for student at Ella P Stewart Academy for Girls recently. They are putting their best foot forward. We also provided funding to the Wayman Palmer YMCA, to help in the kid's day event and school book bag giveaway to elementary school students before the start of the school year. As mentioned, part of our mission is giving back to our community.
At the beginning of the school year, teachers and students are in need of school supplies as part of their learning tools. We provided $500.00 to Ella P Stewart Academy for Girls and $500.00 to Martin Luther King's Academy for Boys. Our children need to know adults care about their well-being and will be there for them.
Part of mentoring our young students at Martin Luther King's Boy's Academy, starts with welcoming them back to school. On the first day of school, Toledo Buffalo Soldiers members joined other community leaders to welcome students back to school.
Toledo Buffalo Soldiers Participate in the Community Salutes Ceremony
Challenge coins have been an American Military tradition for nearly a century. They hold a special value to members of the Armed Forces. The Military has held them in high regard and may be issues when a member of the team performs in an exceptional manner.
Thursday, April 13, 2017, at the Maumee High School Performing Arts Center, Toledo Buffalo Soldiers were honored to play a role in presenting Military Challenge Coins to high school graduates that have enlisted into a branch of the Armed Forces. We presented Challenge Coins to 21 high school graduates that have enlisted in the United States Air Guard. Congratulations and best wishes!
Thursday, April 13, 2017, at the Maumee High School Performing Arts Center, Toledo Buffalo Soldiers were honored to play a role in presenting Military Challenge Coins to high school graduates that have enlisted into a branch of the Armed Forces. We presented Challenge Coins to 21 high school graduates that have enlisted in the United States Air Guard. Congratulations and best wishes!
Toledo Buffalo Soldiers answers the need of Ella P Stewart Academy For Girls.
Interacting with our young, demonstrating we care, teaching them their history and believing in them, is the key to self-respect and respecting others.
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2016 Harlem Globetrotters Event
The Toledo Buffalo Soldiers sponsor community kids each year to the Harlem Globetrotters event at the Huntington Center, here in Toledo, Ohio. This year we sponsored kids from our community, which included students from the Martin Luther King's Boys Academy and from the Wayman Palmer YMCA. We had a great time interacting with the kids and the players. We give a special thanks and shoutout to Suzie from the Huntington Center and the Harlem Globetrotter's Corp. Office for helping make this community event a success.
""OPERATION VETERANS SHUT-IN""
In honor of our Military Veterans on "Veterans' Day," many restaurants across the country provide free meals to veterans that visits their restaurants. However, what about the disabled veterans that are shut-in and cannot travel to a restaurant due to various health issues? Therefore, on Veterans' Day the Toledo Buffalo Soldiers, in partnership with Bob Evans' Restaurant; Key Hotel and Property Management; Lucas County Veterans' Services; Original Pancake House; Spaghetti Warehouse; Tony Packo's Restaurant; and WSPD Radio, Fred LeFebvre; delivered meals to disabled veterans that had a difficult time or could not leave their homes to travel to a restaurant, due to medical and health issues. What an honor to serve those that have served us. Thanks to our partners, this mission was a success.
PROVIDING FUNDS FOR HAITI EMERGENCY
In recent weeks Haiti experienced hurricanes that devastated this small country, destroying homes and businesses. Over 800 lives were losses and scores of people injured. To help with the relief, the Toledo Buffalo Soldiers provided a check in the amount of $200.00 to Harvesting 4 Haiti, an organization that have been in Haiti for a number of years performing educational and missionary work.
SAFE AND SECURE WORKSHOPS
Here, Toledo Buffalo Soldiers speak with students at Robinson Middle School about "what to do when stopped by police, Bullying and emergency preparedness. Some of the students expressed how they were bullied and how it made them feel. Then some student advised they had bullied other students and their reasons. We also expressed how bullying dehumanizes another and what to do when bullying occurs. We also provided information about preparing makes sense, before an emergencies occurs. After the program, the students enjoyed seeing our "Iron Ponies" and asked lots of questions. Are Motorcycles are used as kind of a carrot to first get the students' attention then to speak with them about their future educational plans and how school is so important.
We conducted the "What To Do When Stopped By Police" workshop at Martin Luther King Boy's Academy in Toledo. The event was the Annual Youth Symposium hosted by the Lota Theta Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority,Inc. The workshop also featured Toledo Public School's YMOE and YWOE students from Scott High School, conducting part of the presentation. We believe the workshop is enhanced when young people present to young people. The main message of the workshop is the two C's. "Comply now Complain later." The workshop provides an exercise where students play the roles of driver, passengers and police officer. It is a fun learning experience. The workshop also provides information about showing one's hands during a police encounter; communication with the police officer where you are reaching if asked for ID, registration, etc., as well as other helpful information to ensure a safe stop. Toledo Police Officers also assisted in the workshop and provided important tips. There were videos shown that helped students understand why it is important to comply now and complain later.
"HOSTING OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AT THE HORSE FARM"
Having business partners is the key to the Toledo Buffalo Soldiers' community service mission success. Here, we sponsored a group of young people to the Horse Farm, hosted and owned by Tim Sherman. Tim is the owner of both the Signature Harley and Toledo Harley Davidson Dealerships. He opened his horse farm to us and provided education about the horses he owns. Then lunch with pizza provided by Jamal's Cute Signs, another one of our business partners. What a great community interaction with young people.
"BELTS ARE A PART OF STUDENT'S SELF-ESTEEM"
Toledo Buffalo Soldiers provided 100 new belts to Martin Luther King's Boy's Academy. Belts are part of the complete dress when wearing pants with belt loops. The boys receiving belts walked away smiling, which boosted their self-esteem and sense of pride.
BACK TO SCHOOL BOOK BAG GIVEAWAY
Participating in the annual book bag giveaway with A-1 Bonding was one of our community service missions. Here we participated in giving away school book bags and school supplies for area grade and middle school students. It was also a fun day for the kids and we provided pizza for everyone attending.
OPERATION TV For Charity
This year the Toledo Buffalo Soldiers conducted this operation, which included the delivery of 33 televisions to two shelters in Toledo. The televisions were donated by Key Hotel and Property Management, one of our business partners. We delivered 17 televisions to the YMCA Battered Women Shelter and 16 Televisions to the Family House Crisis Center. We also partnered with the Young Men of Excellence (YMOE) and the Young Women of Excellence (YWOE) students from Scott High School. What a great collaborative community service mission for the students. TPS Proud! We also like to thank Mark Mylek, General Manager with U-Hall on his partnership in this mission. Mark donated the hand-truck and protective covering in order for us to transport the televisions safely. What a great community service mission. We later installed a 65 inch Smart Flat Screen TV in the community room of the YMCA Battered Women Shelter. The children can now enjoy various programs including cartoons, educational and kids' events.
Operation "Fresh Drinking Water" In Helping Flint, Michigan During Their Water Crisis
Toledo Buffalo Soldiers joined 1370 WSPD Radio personality Fred LeFebvre, TV 11, other area media networks and our partner and host the Appliance Center, in a collaborative effort to raise funds and collect fresh drinking water for Flint, Michigan. The city has been in a water crises for several months and cannot drink their water. There is no end in sight as the crises reaches epidemic proportions. During the event, we collected enough cases of water to fill three 53 ft. semi tractor trailers. Let's keep Flint in our hearts and minds and continue to assist where we can.
Westbrook Senior Village
What a great time the Toledo Buffalo Soldiers had the evening of October 18, 2016, with residence of the Westbrook Senior Village in Toledo. We were invited to give a presentation on a little Buffalo Soldier history, our mission and personal safety. We provided information on safety measurements, such as always going in two's when walking in the park, when going shopping, how not to become a victim, etc. We passed out whistles made by American Whistle located in Columbus, Ohio. We provided information on the use of the whistle as part of their safety and protection tools, as well as how to carry their keys between their fingers as a defensive weapon.
We then provided information on the Homeland Security program "Preparing Make Since." This program provided information on how to prepare a disaster preparedness kit: how to prepare your pets for an emergency; preparing older Americans; and preparing people with disabilities. What great programs for our seniors and they loved it! At the end of the program we provided an emergency first aid kit as a door prizes to the winning ticket holder. We all had a ball providing lifesaving and survival information and learning. Just doing what Buffalo Soldiers and Troopers do across American, keeping the "Dream" alive and it's all good.
What a great time the Toledo Buffalo Soldiers had the evening of October 18, 2016, with residence of the Westbrook Senior Village in Toledo. We were invited to give a presentation on a little Buffalo Soldier history, our mission and personal safety. We provided information on safety measurements, such as always going in two's when walking in the park, when going shopping, how not to become a victim, etc. We passed out whistles made by American Whistle located in Columbus, Ohio. We provided information on the use of the whistle as part of their safety and protection tools, as well as how to carry their keys between their fingers as a defensive weapon.
We then provided information on the Homeland Security program "Preparing Make Since." This program provided information on how to prepare a disaster preparedness kit: how to prepare your pets for an emergency; preparing older Americans; and preparing people with disabilities. What great programs for our seniors and they loved it! At the end of the program we provided an emergency first aid kit as a door prizes to the winning ticket holder. We all had a ball providing lifesaving and survival information and learning. Just doing what Buffalo Soldiers and Troopers do across American, keeping the "Dream" alive and it's all good.
Toledo Buffalo Soldiers in support of the Wounded Warrior Amputee Project. This year we provided $1,000.00 to the project and sponsored 25 kids from the Wayman Palmer YMCA to the Wounded Warrior Amputee Baseball game at 5th 3rd Field. We also participated in the parade. This project is one of the Toledo Buffalo Soldiers' annual support event.
Toledo Buffalo Soldiers conducts "Community Engagement" programs that enhance the safety and quality of life as part of our Community Service Mission
The Toledo Buffalo Soldiers conducts community presentations, such as "What To Do When Stopped By Police." This program is a collaborative effort with local law enforcement agencies and community leaders and is designed to assist the citizen in making the right choices when stopped by a police officer, to enhance their personal safety. It provides important information such as; turning on the dome light when stopped in your vehicle at night by police; ensuring your hands are in view of the officer; when identification or registration is requested, communicating with the office where it is located before reaching for it. For example: if your ID is in your back pocket, advising the officer where it is; if your registration is in the clove compartment, let the officer know where it is before reaching for it. There should be no abrupt moves without communication your actions to the officer first. Being respectful will assist is a safe stop. The program also provides information when to file a complaint if the officer's conduct, in your opinion, is wrong. Just remember if you get into a confrontation with the officer on the scene, you will surely loose. And if you believe your civil rights was violation, the FBI is a partner in the program and will provide information about their complaint process. Just remember the officer has a right to protect themselves too.
The "What to Do When Stopped by Police" community forum workshop was recently conducted on at the Quality Inn and Suites Conference room, located at 1935 Cleveland Rd. Sandusky, Ohio. It was sponsored by the Sandusky City Police Department and the Erie County Sheriff. It was a great success. Please click here to view the panelist and talking points presented.
A phase of the program includes our school program. This program provides students with hands on exercises with fun role playing scenarios as passenger and police officer. To accomplish this we use a stage prop car. The students are giving the opportunity to play roles of a police officer when approaching passengers in a car. The students playing roles of driver and passengers act-out being non-compliant to officers requests. The second scenario is one where the student driver and passengers are compliant to officers requests. The purpose is to demonstrate how citizen and police encounters can escalate and how to deescalate such contacts. Compliance to police officers' requests is the main message, regardless if one believes the officer is wrong. The fight is not on the street because you will surely loose. One can file a complaint against the officer's conduct once the encounter is over.
TOLEDO, OHIO 2014 WATER CRISIS, SHUTS DOWN DRINKING WATER SUPPLY
On August 2, 2014, over 400,000 residents of Toledo, Ohio and surrounding communities were without drinking water due to high levels of toxins that were found in the water system. The crises lasted for almost a week before the drinking band was lifted. On the first day of the crises, the Toledo Buffalo Soldiers went to Ft Wayne, Ind. and picked up a trailer load of bottled water for the Toledo community. Once we learned the depth of the water crisis, we placed a call for assistance out to the Great Lakes Frontier Buffalo Soldiers and Trooper chapters. A few hours later, members from the Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Detroit, Indianapolis, and West Virginia chapter begin arriving with trailers and trucks loaded with bottled drinking water. The Toledo chapter setup an Incident Command Center at the Pathway For Successful Leadership facility, a partner with the Toledo Public School System, one of our community service partners and partner in this crisis. We also partnered with United Way in the distribution of water to the shut-in elderly and disabled veteran. In the center, call were received from United Way, directing us where to deliver water to our target areas. We made some 123 deliveries of water, totaling 182 cases of bottled water. Our heartfelt thanks to the Buffalo Soldier chapters that assisted in this most humanitarian effort and to P4SL and United Way.
OPENING A POOL FOR OUR KIDS FOR THE 2014 SUMMER
Recently the City of Toledo decided not to open several swimming pools for the 2014 summer due to costly repairs and budget restraints. One of those pools was Wilson Park swimming pool. This pool provides positive activity for kids in their area during the summer. If the pool remained closed during the summer, there would be a strong likelihood the safety of the community would significantly decrease. There would be the potential of constant opened fire hydrogen, and other issues that would decrease the safety of this neighborhood. The Toledo Buffalo Soldiers met with City Councilwoman Paula Hicks Hudson, Mr. Fleetwood of local 500 and members from local 50 and discuss what we could do collaboratively to open the pool. We all worked together and today the pool is open and kids are enjoying water activities and having fun.
After the leaking pipes were repaired and replaced a water test was conducted. "Look" No Leaks!!!
It was such a honor and joy to see the kids enjoying.
All that partnered in this mission were given an appreciation award by community leaders. It was an honor to be part of such a worthy cause.
All that partnered in this mission were given an appreciation award by community leaders. It was an honor to be part of such a worthy cause.