Dear Concerned Citizens,
Hardly a day passes without a child being criminally abducted in the United States.
On November 1, 1998 we incorporated in Pennsylvania the Child Alert
Foundation (CAF) as a tax deductible, non-profit organization and we need your financial
help to fight this crime.
We are building a network of radio stations, television stations and law enforcement
agencies linked via the INTERNET to alert the public within minutes of the report of the
abduction. The crucial area is the 100 mile radius of the abduction and the speed at
which the notification can be delivered is critical. With media saturation of that area,
the abductor can be spotted and apprehended with the child being returned to safety.
Currently, any abduction alert is a manual process which is limited and time consuming.
CAF has developed a specialized software program called Abduction Central Alert which is
fully automated and identifies all participating agencies within that crucial 100 mile
radius of the abduction without human intervention. The copyrighted program distributes
information faster, more efficiently and over a broader network within minutes of the
reported abduction. A national network is our goal with individual state chapters of CAF
established.
We have the computer software and a dedicated group of professionals as a nucleus. We
have the support of media professionals to help spread our message. What we don’t
have is the money to expand our organization and hire the personnel to make this project a
reality. What we need essentially is seed money.
We have financed the entire development of CAF to date with our own resources but those
finances will only go so far. We need funds for equipment and programming help.
Until we are able to support a fulltime staff, we will be seeking programming assistance
though intern programs with Mansfield, Bloomsburg and Pennsylvania State Colleges.
Those that choose to participate will be trained in the most current industry software and
languages of the INTERNET.
CAF will become self-supporting through the marketing of the inexpensive
copyrighted software to law enforcement agencies in cooperation with local radio and
television stations nationwide. Secondary markets exist in hospitals, schools, social
service and related agencies in a greater network to secure the safe return of the
abducted child. A third market is private agencies that deal with child safety and
education.
You or your associates may view for yourselves our vision on our INTERNET Website
address. This address is http://www.childalert.org/
Two TV stations, one in Cleveland and the other in North Carolina have expressed an
interest in featuring us now that our incorporation is complete. Hopefully national
coverage should result.
MSNBC’s Pete Williams recently cited a figure of 4600 child abductions each year
by someone other than a family member. The peril is real. According to NBC,
forty six percent of the time, a child is lured into a vehicle. CAF's 100 mile alert
following an abduction notification can lead directly to the apprehension of the abductor
and more importantly, the safe recovery of the child.
Speed is of the essence in child recovery. Therefore, the need is urgent that our goal
of a national network be established as soon as possible. The faster we can get our
unique system in place means the faster some child will be spared the psychological trauma
of a prolonged abduction, physical abuse, or even death at the hands of an abductor.
Please spread the word of our needs to your friends, co-workers and associates and help
support our efforts. Tax deductible donations can be made directly to the CHILD
ALERT FOUNDATION offices located in Dushore, PA.
Respectfully,
VINCENT A. ALBERS, JR.
Colonel USMC (Ret)
President/ CEO
