Organizations partnering for ‘Blue Friday’ fundraiser this month and they’re asking for your support
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IDAHO FALLS – For the last three years, the Friday before Thanksgiving has been unofficially recognized as Blue Friday — a day to support law enforcement charities.
Pastor Tim Rupp and Chaplain Christa Trinchera formed Law Enforcement Chaplaincy of Idaho, a nonprofit chaplaincy training program, earlier this year and they’re using the occasion to host a fundraiser.
The nonprofit is partnering with Redd’s Grill in Idaho Falls for a drive-thru spaghetti dinner on Friday, Nov. 20.
“It’s a time when we can help those who serve and it’s an opportunity to put your money into something that really matters instead of buying that big screen TV on Black Friday,” Trinchera tells EastIdahoNews.com.
Between now and Nov. 18, customers can order a spaghetti dinner for four online. Dinner includes spaghetti, your choice of marinara or meat sauce, salad and garlic bread.
The cost is $30.
Customers can pick up their orders in front of Redd’s Grill next to the Shilo Inn at 780 Lindsay Boulevard between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. Nov. 20.
All the proceeds will go towards computers and other equipment needed for the chaplaincy program.
There’s no particular amount the group is trying to raise, but Rupp says it would be nice to sell at least 100 meals.
“As a brand-new nonprofit, we do not have any source of funding at this time. We’re really hoping to get some seed money to get going. Right now, it’s just been Tim and I out of our own pockets,” says Trinchera.
The chaplaincy and how it works
Twenty-two people throughout eastern Idaho have completed the training program since the group was formed.
“We’ve got 12 chaplains that completed training. They’re already doing on-the-job training. We’ve made a couple calls,” Rupp says. “The second class will be graduating Nov. 19. We have 10 in that class, so that will give us a total of 22.”
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The 10-day training program is open to anyone and no special skills are required to enroll. It consists of classroom and hands-on instruction. A large portion of it focuses on how to work with people going through crises, such as losing a home in a fire or losing a loved one in an accident.
Class members train alongside Air Idaho Rescue and Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office’s back-country deputies, dive team members, search and rescue, and K9 teams to learn protocols and best standards of practice while assisting them.
Under the program, two types of chaplains are available. One is a community chaplain, who serves as a liaison between first responders and the family. In this capacity, Rupp says the chaplain’s main role is to be there for people in their moment of grief to comfort and provide resources for them.
The second type of chaplain ministers specifically to law enforcement officers who have been involved in a shooting or other traumatic event.
The chaplain’s job does not include proselyting for a specific denomination, Rupp says, but they are able to provide spiritual guidance if the person or officer requests it.
Graduates of the program work with law enforcement and members of the community on a volunteer basis.
“Our goal right now is to service Bonneville County 24/7, 365 days a year. We’re thinking we need about 30 chaplains to do that,” says Rupp. “We don’t want to get so many chaplains that they’re on call, but they never make calls. We also don’t want to have too few chaplains where they’re getting burnt out from making calls all the time.”
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The Idaho Falls City Council is expected to pass a resolution this month so the nonprofit can work with the police department. Rupp and Trinchera are currently working with the sheriff’s office and the police department to finalize the procedures for getting chaplains fully involved in making calls.
Forming a chaplaincy
Rupp moved to Idaho Falls in 2007 to become a pastor after working as a cop with the San Antonio, Texas Police Department for many years.
After several years, he began volunteering as a reserve deputy with Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office. He’s written several books about ministry from a cop’s perspective and he helped form cop church in Idaho Falls three years ago.
Trinchera worked as a law enforcement chaplain in Sacramento, California for five years prior to living in Idaho Falls. She crossed paths with Rupp last year when he came to speak at a seminar.
“I bought a copy of his book (for) my dad, who is retired law enforcement. My dad read his book and was like, ‘I want to meet this guy,'” says Trinchera.
Trinchera’s parents met Rupp during a trip to Idaho Falls and Rupp mentioned he wanted to start a law enforcement chaplaincy. Living in Idaho was appealing to Trinchera, except for the fact that there was no chaplaincy program.
“I called Tim the next day and we put the wheels on the track and we started forming this chaplaincy. My husband and I and my mom and dad — we all moved out here in June,” she says.
Since moving to Idaho Falls, Trinchera says one of her favorite places to eat is Redd’s Grill. She ordered spaghetti at the restaurant several times and was impressed with her experience.
As she started thinking about a fundraiser for Blue Friday, a partnership with Redd’s Grill just seemed like a natural fit.
“They have an incredible location that has a covered pull-through, so it’s going to be very well-suited for a drive-thru pickup,” she says. “They were really excited to partner with us and to support the Law Enforcement Chaplaincy of Idaho.”
Depending on how things go, Trinchera says they’d like to host a fundraiser every quarter. They’re open to partnering with other businesses to sponsor their organization.
“It’s the holiday season coming up. People don’t have to cook on a Friday night and they can support a great cause on Blue Friday,” she says.
To place an order or learn more, visit the website.
