 HEARTFELT APPRECIATION RECEIVED

These are just four of the many expressions of appreciation BALEAF has received.

Radar and his Dada
"At 6 months old, my precious son was given a 20% survival rate and has fought cancer twice since then. Watching my son overcome so many odds, I am the luckiest, proudest, happiest Dada in the world!

The normal obstacles of raising a child is alone hectic. But when a life threatening illness is thrown into the picture, there is just not enough time and resources to make life normal again.

It is great to know that there are people and organizations like Bay Area Law Enforcement Assistance Fund that donate their time and resources. And in my family’s time of need, BALEAF helped us!

Thank you BALEAF. From the bottom our hearts, thank you for your help.”

Sylvia Morrow
"Thank you so much for your generous donation towards my custom wheelchair.  Your assistance came just when I needed it.  I also must thank Occupational Therapist Jody Greenhalgh for designing my wheelchair and making sure that it met my needs.

I have only heartfelt thanks and appreciation for all that BALEAF has done for me. BALEAF has supported me throughout my-ongoing medical journey. I am so grateful for your generosity and because of you I know that my family in blue is here for me."

JO-ELLEN RADETICH
My best friend and forever caregiver was assassinated June 19, 1970.   My brother, Officer Richard Radetich, Star #703 was doing his job, protecting the citizens of San Francisco, when his assailant shot him three times in the head.  He died that night and his killer was never caught.  The collateral damage to my family was tragic.  To protect my parent’s privacy, I will not reveal details, but they both died shortly after Richard was killed.  I will leave you to imagine what I endured.                                                                                                                                                                                                     

A casual “Happy New Year” phone call in January with a former BALEAF Board member resulted in a gift of money that I never expected.  She served on the BALEAF Board with me when I was President.  We both have a lot of respect for each other, resulting from our shared commitment to the law enforcement community. 

I filled her in on a health problem that I recently had, which resulted in two hospitalizations, never thinking that she would contact the BALEAF Board on my behalf. I should not be surprised, as she was a dedicated BALEAF Board member and is currently a highly skilled Occupational Therapist at Stanford University.

Thank you does not measure the deep appreciation that I have for BALEAF’s gift to me.  I was able to hire a caregiver immediately, which relieved the burden on me to take care of myself at a crucial time. BALEAF stepped up to the plate without hesitation, filling the need that was left empty by Richard’s death.  If Richard were alive, he would not have left my side during my illness.

I had the honor of serving as BALEAF President for two years.  I lived and breathed BALEAF, for those two years, while holding down a full-time job at the University of San Francisco.   I have firsthand experience in serving the needs of the Law Enforcement community, so those that need help get it.  My BALEAF Board and I dispensed hundreds of dollars of funds.

I am happy to say that I am recovering well.                                                                                                                                                   

Your gift of money to me in my time of need captures the true spirit of BALEAF. 

Sincerely,

Jo-Ellen Radetich

Past President of BALEAF  2009-2011

RON ARTALE
I want to express my sincere thanks to BALEAF with assisting me with the purchase of my new wheelchair. It has been 8-1/2 years since becoming a paraplegic and this chair is the most advanced one I have owned. This chair will allow me to stand at any time and any place I am. There are numerous medical benefits to standing. I want to thank Jody Greenhalgh, who is a member of BALEAF's Board, with assisting me and taking the steps needed to have this chair fitted by the right vendor. There are also numerous members from SFPD with whom I have worked and are on BALEAF's Board – Lynette Hogue, Bob Guinan, Rich Reyes, and certainly, you, Robin Matthews.

This financial assistance will help us since I have accumulated more monthly medical bills not covered by insurance. My wife, Christina, and I are most gracious and can only express ourselves with the love we have for friends like you.

THE MCKENNA FAMILY
It was nine years ago that our daughter was run over by a boat.  She was 18 and had just graduated from high school.  One minute she was wake boarding on the Delta, then in an instant the tables turned as she was being air lifted to John Muir Hospital.  She spent 14 days in ICU and underwent countless surgeries.  Ultimately they and the grace of God saved her life and today we have our beautiful girl.  Her rehabilitation has been long and hard.  It will be ongoing but a price she is happy to pay for her life.  

During the early part of her recovery, a month or so after, we were able to bring her home from the hospital when my husband came in with an envelope.  He is a retired SFPD Sergeant.  Inside I found a generous check.  I knew nothing of BALEAF prior to this moment.  My husband explained the fund and it's purpose.  He simply said, "it's the people of law enforcement taking care of each other."  The money was helpful allowing us to pay bills not covered by insurance, but it was the spirit behind the gift that was so valuable to us.  You see, the idea that perfect strangers were willing to support us in a time of need gave us strength and hope.  I will never forget the feeling of knowing that so many of you were behind us.  You can't help but move forward with that kind of support.  I am so grateful to all of you and so happy to tell you our daughter is doing well.  Her spirit is strong and it's largely because of you.

To read the article on Molly McKenna's incredible survival by Elizabeth M. Cosin, The Press Democrat, click here (PDF format).

RONAN SHOULDICE and FAMILY
When our son, Frankie, was diagnosed with Lymphoma in May of 2009 a series of events began in our lives that exposed our family to the full range of human emotion. The devastating news brought with it indescribable sadness and despair, but we found in time that this was to be tempered by the goodness of people and the support of friends and strangers alike.

It was on one of these occasions that we were contacted by Robin Matthews of BALEAF with an offer of support and a genuine display of empathy and concern for Frankie. I had previously been unaware of the true association BALEAF enjoys with Law Enforcement and was taken aback at the generosity of spirit and fellowship offered by Robin.

I can truly attest to the fact that this kindness was one of those times over the past years that buoyed our family and reaffirmed our grasp on the fact that the load can be shared by the intervention of good people.

Thank you for all you have done for us.

ROBERT & FELICIA KRUGER
Ms. Matthews and Fellow BALEAF Board Members:
My husband, Robert, and I want to extend our most sincere thank you for the generous donation BALEAF made to us to assist with Robert's current medical challenge. We cannot express how grateful we are to everyone at BALEAF for all the support and encouragement. Thank you many times over.