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We've
Come a Very Long Way - And How We've Grown!
What
started as a friendly post supporting our Peoria Police
Department in the NextDoor App, has grown through the
generosity of volunteers and businesses. On July
15, 2021, Thank You AZ Blue received our 501(c)3
recognition by the IRS.
Our Mission has remained the same:
...to make sure every officer, in every
municipality, sheriff's office, marshall's office,
reservation officers, and state police all receive
one of our bags across the State of Arizona.
Our bags are filled with protein rich snacks, personal
items, hand-written thank you cards, and a unique LEO
themed painted rock. K9s and Hoofers also receive their
own personalized "4-footer bag or bucket".
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In June
2021, TYAZB was approached by a young woman who was a
new LEO Recruit. She asked if we had ever considered
delivering our bags to the graduating classes of Phoenix
Academy and also MCSO. Of course we would - and thus
started our fantastic Recruit Program, lead by one of
our Board Members, Aimee Currey.
Our recruit bags are similar to the traditional LEO
bags; however, Recruits receive "blue line stress
balls", blue line pens, and if we have fidget spinners,
they'll also get those. Additionally, instead of our
Thank You Cards, recruits will receive Congratulations
cards. We also deliver items to the Sergeant and
Training Officers during the recruit delivery. Thank You
AZ Blue was also welcomed to COTA in Tucson during April
2022, and we look forward to being able to do this in
the future.
IF you are in a different county, and this is something
you would like to do for your local PDs and their newest
officers, please contact me and we can help you get
started. Email:
TYAZB ADMIN
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A unique item to our TY
Appreciation bags are our painted rocks. We have had
many officers tell us how the rocks are placed
strategically around their stations, in lockers and on
desks, to lift spirits. To understand the impact we
received the following from a Phoenix Dispatcher
Supervisor:
"Today, one of my Team Members
answered a 911 call, the kind that you never forget as
someone's life ends over the phone. When she came to
me crying, I comforted her and we spoke. Today was
also the day we received our blue bags. I gave her her
bag, and she pulled out the painted rock. A simple
blue painted rock with a white cross on it, along with
the message, "I care". You will never know the power
of a simple painted rock, as it did to my employee
that day."
Samantha has created a Facebook Group, "Painted Rox". If
you are crafty, and you would like to be involved,
please reach out to Samantha.
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While we like to joke calling
this the "Group With Writer's Cramp", each member of
this group is dedicated to making sure our sworn and
non-sworn department employees receive an uplifting
message of support. The notes are heartfelt, sincere,
and genuine. Cards are available to pick up at our
office, or you can order one of the 3 approved styles
online from Amazon. Note that with our 501(c)3 status,
any you purchase and complete are considered a donation
and tax deductible.
Yesterday, my patrol squad and I
received our bags. The snacks are great, but let me
tell you from my perspective what means the most.
Someone actually took the time to write a handwritten
message and paint a small rock saying "Thank You!"
We have had some absolutely amazing TY Card writers -
some who have written over 7,000 cards. Yes, believe it
or not, every card that goes into a bag is 100%
hand-written with a personal message, and read only by
the writer and the recipient.
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For those of
you who are interested in learning more about our
organization, or, if you wish to donate or sponsor
events with us, please help by donating through Paypal,
Venmo, or ordering supplies through our Amazon Wish
List. Additionally, you can help support TYAZB when
shopping Amazon via Amazon Smiles Charitable Giving.
Remember, all donations are completely tax deductible.
To check out our donation wish list, we have made it
super easy to order items, just visit our Donations
Wish List.
Thank you everyone for making this small little group
become a reality as a 501(c)3 organization. We could not
have done with without our community support.
God Bless all of you for your generosity and kindness.
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Disclaimer:
All information on this website is copyrighted to
Thank You AZ Blue ("TYAZB"). Information contained and
written is intellectual property owned by TYAZB. Our
organization is fully aware there is another group
started by previous board members of Thank You AZ
Blue. Please be advised these previous members are
responsible for helping themselves to over $3,300 of
donations made to TYAZB. This information has been
documented complete with signatures, driver's license
numbers, and copies of cancelled checks even AFTER the
parties involved were issues Cease & Desist
letters from our attorney. If you truly support law
enforcement, you would question the motives, the
ethics, the transparency, and the integrity of any
person(s) and organization who displays this type of
entitled behavior. **For more information on the
organization responsible for removing over $3,000 from
Thank You AZ Blue and those participants involved, please visit here.
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