|
 A
Message From Patti Bishop
In
the Fall of 2001, just six months after my step-daughter Karen
Jo Smith disappeared in
Indianapolis, Indiana Debi Estes and I planned the first G.I.N.A.
Concert in Indiana. We held the event with local musicians
at Hoosier Park, the only Horse Racing Track in Indiana.
From
that moment on Jannel Rap, the founder of G.I.N.A. for
Missing Persons and I had a friendship that only those with a
missing person can understand. This bond has continued to grow
throughout the past 6 years.
In
the fall of 2006, I emailed a philanthropist to ask him if he wanted
to be a part of The Squeaky Wheel Tour™. I received
his response on Friday the 13th of Oct which in our minds is now a
very lucky day! This generous man pledged $2 Million Dollars in
Rewards for 20 Missing Persons in 20 Days! Darlene Pitts,
whose sister Lola Fry
disappeared, worked closely with me during this process.
Along
with Jannel's missing sister, Gina
Bos, Karen Jo, and Lola Fry, there were 17
other missing persons spanning 10 states that received reward funds.
The $2 Million Dollar Story began in Indiana because the families of
the missing became a team whose efforts helped to benefit people we
have never met. There were 7 new families who became a part of our
NOW much larger group of the families of missing across the country.
Indiana's
bond brought about changes in Indiana which include, the soon to be
signed into law Molly's
Law, which is named after missing Indiana woman, Molly
Dattilo. Molly's cousin, Keri Dattilo and Nina
Alcorn joined us to became a part of our family as a
tremendous help in focusing our efforts to bring our needs to the legislature.
Recently,
we have formed a new nonprofit organization called IN Hope.
We provide resources and support to families of the missing and
Indiana Law Enforcement in their search for their missing adults.
Sadly, the Squeaky Wheel in Indiana will continue to
grow. We will be hosting concerts this year throughout Indiana
with various venues profiling our Indiana missing...and reaching out
to connect with groups of families in other states.
Our
combined efforts with GINA for Missing Persons, Project
Jason, Team Hope
and other NPO's and the families of the missing brought international
attention to our missing like only a squeaky wheel can. We finally
got the attention we have been working on since Jannel and I met all
those years ago. Yet, there is so much more to do. As we band
together, our voices and our squeaky wheels get louder and louder. We
hope one day we won't have to work so hard or yell so loud when a
loved one goes missing. Our dream is that one day when someone
vanishes that they receive enough immediate attention, law
enforcement support and media to bring a quick resolve to their
situation. The Indianapolis Star recently placed IN Hope's
story on the front page, as well as on 3/4 of page 6.
There
are many ways to bring media to our missing. We will continue to
explore the possibilities and as a team fill as many needs as
possible with this ongoing problem. Karen Jo and Gina, both
mothers... disappeared without a trace and yet their lives continue
to grow into a symbol of hope. In Hope.
-
Patti Bishop |
