Stacey Tinsley, Bossier Press-Tribune
School Resource Officers in Bossier Parish Schools received a little extra protection from the weather Wednesday, Sept. 23, thanks to a donation from RRCU.
RRCU purchased special compact umbrellas for the district’s School Resource Officers. The umbrellas feature a larger canopy while maintaining a compact design that makes them easier for officers to keep in their vehicles and use while moving around school campuses.
The SROs received their umbrellas Wednesday during a presentation by Regan Wooten and Wendy Faith from RRCU’s Bossier branch. Crossing guards will also receive umbrellas, but those will be distributed to them individually.
The idea came from Brandi Falting, Commercial Development & Lending Officer at RRCU, who said she had seen school resource officers working in the rain and wanted to find a practical way to help.
“I have seen them soaking wet more than once,” Falting said.
Falting said she considered a traditional golf-style umbrella but felt it would be too large and difficult for officers to keep in their vehicles. She worked with RRCU’s marketing team to find an umbrella that would be compact while still providing enough coverage for an officer and even a child when needed.
“Rain or Shine, our SRO’s are out there protecting, serving, and looking out for our children,” Falting said. “Something as simple as an umbrella can help them keep protected from the elements while they continue doing what matters the most.”
Falting said the project was also personal because she has a child and grandchildren in Bossier Schools. She said she sees School Resource Officers and crossing guards each morning and afternoon helping students get where they need to go safely.
“Weather doesn’t stop their day,” Falting said. “These umbrellas can shield them and a child or two when needed.”
Falting said the project was part of her effort to think of new ways to give back to the community.
“This umbrella donation is a way of saying Thank You to those that keep our students safe,” Falting said. “RRCU is proud to be an active community partner and supports Bossier Parish Schools. By investing in the people who care for our children – we invest in the future of our community.”
Sonja Bailes, Communications and Media Officer for Bossier Public Schools, said the district appreciated RRCU recognizing a need among the officers and crossing guards.
“We are grateful to RRCU for seeing a need and providing umbrellas for our School Resource Officers and crossing guards,” Bailes said. “They will be especially thankful, too, when rainy days return and they are directing traffic or assisting our students crossing the street.”
The umbrellas were designed to provide coverage while allowing SROs and crossing guards to continue their duties around school campuses during rainy weather.
For RRCU, the donation provided a simple way to thank the people who help keep Bossier Parish students safe each day.