There were between 3,000 to 4,000 volunteers that showed up at Perdue Stadium at 6:30 this morning and hundreds more continue to show up throughout the day so far. As you can see from the photos above, thousands were inside the stadium while thousands more were still lining up and signing up to get in.
At one point, (as many of you know) we ran out of bottled water and wouldn't you know it, as soon as everyone heard, people came in, (in some cases by the truck load) and delivered at least 600 cases of water, THANK YOU! Culligan, Shore Water and Canada Dry showed up almost immediately in trucks, it was just unbelievable.
Food is a big priority right now, (also mentioned earlier). Look, I just can't thank you folks enough. Just think about this for a minute, if you will. This is Christmas Day and literally thousands upon thousands of people are doing everything in their powers to help look for this child. May God Bless You All.
I have to get back to work but while I don't want to speak for Sheriff Lewis, Davis Ruark, Earnie Leatherbury and Ivan Barkley, I will say these people, (as well as all law enforcement officers) are overwhelmed and humbled by your support. I have stood there throughout each day and listened to them share their thanks and each one of you should know that. They are working so hard to find this young child and I can just tell you they truly appreciate each and every one of you.
Hopefully I have some news to share with you soon. Merry Christmas Folks.
UPDATE: They need paper goods at Perdue Stadium. Whatever you've got, paper plates, napkins, you name it, they need it. Thanks Folks!
27 comments:
Joe. Thank you so much for the update!!! I have been checking since early this morning. I read the Baltimore Sun said Ruark gave instructions to the searchers about what to do if they found something. For those who didn't go out this morning but are now searching their own property what would he like us to do if something is found.
anonymous 12:57, Great Question! Don't touch ANYTHING! If you find something, please remember it's a crime scene. Step back right away and call 911. Please, whatever you do, don't touch anything and don't make a lot of tracks around the scene.
just left perdue stadium. it is amazing the amount of food, water, sodas,etc. that have been donated . looks like they must have 100 cases of water.god bless everyone involved.
Just left the stadium as well..grabbed whatever we had in the house, granola bars, peanut butter, mustard, ketchup, some burgers and dogs.....it is amazing how many people are there..and clearly ready for the elements or whatever to do what they can. It really is amazing the outpouring...everyone be safe and pray for a positive outcome.
I'm in awe of this. I never dreamed so many would give of their personal time on a holiday. It makes me realize - no matter how sick & demented some people are - we human beings are basically good & kind beyond belief. No matter how different we are, when times like this come along there are always so many to step up to the plate and do something - anything - to help. You are to be commended, and I am SURE God is watching you.
I am so proud of a community that really does come together in this time of need.My son did not even want to open any presnts when he woke this morning, all he wanted to do was to help, and my husband and son have been there since early this morning. To all the hundreds of people helping in the search and donating whatever you have and can.it is greatly appreciated. Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with Sarah...Merry Christmas baby girl and may you come home
My best friend just got home from the search. I asked her if she heard anything, she said no, only that TJ and now his whole family is not cooperating AND TJ was quoted as saying "No matter how hard you look you're never going to find her."
Joe, I want to thank you for your dedication in keeping on top of this horrible, horrible situation. You and your moderators are doing a magnificent job.
I just got back from the stadium and was told by MSP that there is new information and that they are searching in the Morris Leonard Rd area again because of this new information.
Underground? Burried? Um, how can he say you'll never find her andddd why is the whole fam now uncooperative? They all seem guilty!
MW you guys over on PD are doing a fine job yourselves. Together, we can bring this to a close. I'm still holding on to hope that it is a positive outcome.
he didn't have access to a boat did he? just hoping he didn't go out to OC. who knows with his sick mind where poor baby girl is! it makes me sick to my stomach!!!
I would like to suggest that the whole community tie a yellow ribbon around their mail boxes for Sara to come home and as a show of support for all the searchers. I also understand the Sheriff has requested all residents tie a red ribbon around their mailboxes to show residents have searched their properties.
hats off to all out there doing all they are doing, hats off to Mike Lewis! Great man doing great job! glad he is in there doing all he is! he is an honest man and i believe what comes out of his mouth, including he won't give up until Sarah is found. God bless that man this year and all others who are doing all they can!
My husband is on his way with a ham, granola bars, napkins, paper towels, peanut butter (sorry didn't have any unopended jelly) bon bons, a fruit basket, chips...i can't remember what all, sent gifts we received and extras I keep in around the holidays...also praying lots for the safe return of this child.
I'm not sure how reliable the PD's info is, and I don't know all of the latest details, but has anyone considered the possibility that Sarah was sold into sex slavery? It seems AWEFULLY suspicious that he can confidently say that we'll never find her, and now the whole family is acting suspicious....Just seems like there is way more to the story than what is being told. Does anyone know what Leggs's dimeanor has been like during questioning?
We went to help search this morning and we both were in awe at the amount of people there! It made me feel so proud! (Sorry that we lost you in the crowd, Joe!) I was just so proud to be a part of this! For anyone that has lost faith in people, if you were there, it renewed your faith!
I am in awe of our Deputies, Police, State Troopers. THe brotherhood of police everywhere has been amazing. Thank you to you all.
Mike you are doing an outstanding job and knowing the kind of man you are and what you stand for I wouldn't expect anything else.
Community & Businesses WOW! Thank you for helping in coming to the rescue immediatlely. I am once again proud ot be a part of the Eastern Shore. .Sweet Angel I pray for you and my heart is aching for you. I know you in Gods care and I hope we are led to where you are to bring home.
I don't know if this is helpful or not, but I know TJ from when he was a bouncer in OC. He's showed me pictures of this little girl before and told me it was his daughter. If that's the case and he thinks he is the father, then chances are she is alive and probably with a close friend or family member.
2:19- You should call the sherriffs office with that story, not post it here. It's a lead worth following.
I have hope that since he swears she will not be found that he has handed her off to a friend or family member possibly even out of state and she is OK!
@ 2:19, good to know...maybe people think she is his daughter. who knows!
Mike Lewis is an awesome speaker and person. He is full of hope! God I wouldn't want a better person in charge of this. He cares for his people!
I know they are looking in wooded areas & farms north salisbury. But I think boat owners should get out & start looking up & down the river, for any signs. It certainly can't hurt. My husband & I have boat & we are going out first thing tomorrow morning.
Joe and Ghanima--I've already told you as much, but thank you for everything you've been doing.
To the volunteers who showed up this morning--God bless each and every one of you. You make me so unbelievably proud.
To all--Please continue to pray for little Sarah, and for her family.
what about bob, the volunteer who had a heart problem while searching. i am ed the man who called 911 for him i dn't want to mention his last name for his privacy, he was lifted in prayers if anyone knows please post it also remember to pray for the search teams and all who helping.
I am so proud of all those who gave up thier Christmas day to look for this poor little girl.America is sick of these pieces of garbage abducting and killing this country's children.We will all take a stand against sex offenders.We need to stand as one voice and tell the judges we are not going to take this anymore,stop putting these things back out on the street and in our neighborhoods.All sex offenders should be forced to have signs put up in thier yards to let the community know where they are.They have no rights,they took the rights away from children,they are not human,they are animals and should be treated as such.
She was murdered. There is no evidence of sexual anything against this child. Just like Adam Walsh, there was no evidence of anything sexual. A child was abducted and murdered. What if this guy had written bad checks? What if he had a DUI and did this? Would you come down more harshly on DUI drivers or bad check writers? No, of course not. Just like you shouldn't come down on sex offenders. This guy was a repeat offender. Those are very rare. 96% of sex offenders do not reoffend. Don't believe me? Check out www.usdoj.gov and type in "sex offender recidivism" in the search box. It will back me up. What this guy did was abhorrent, but what made him a sex offender, at least in one state was a romeo-juliet case that wouldn't even be a crime in many states in the nation as the age of consent isn't 18 everywhere. Please take out your anger on the person that did this, not every single person that has his label as not all 650,000 sex offenders in this nation killed a child. You can get the label "sex offender" by being 18 with a 17yo gf, you can get it by peeing in the woods and a child sees you, consentual adult sex for money, also known as prostitution, being sent illegal images through email or pop ups on the internet, etc etc. Not ever sex offender is against a child and not every offender even has a victim. So again, please, don't let your emotions get in the way of your brains. Do your research and learn. You will learn interesting things...such as studies that have been done that say that if you make penalties for sex offenses more harsh, you run a greater risk of the perpetrator killing his victim, rather than just raping or touching them. Murder has the death penalty as a consequence in many states, yet people are murdered daily in this country. Harsh consequences will not stop a crime, no matter how bad you want them to. And it can turn out to backfire when you find a body instead of a victim. Please, let the justice system do it's job. He is innocent until proven guilty, period. That's how this country works. If he did it, he will be in a lot of trouble. Making laws more harsh for everyone with a label that can be obtained from dozens of different types of sex crimes, some perfectly consensual, won't stop this kind of horror. Just pray for her family right now, being mad at him, or whoever did this, won't help right now. There is time later for that. Let's take a moment to think about a family that lost their child.
I think it is absolutely amazing how many people gave up time with their own families to help search for this precious little girl. Our community is a melting pot of religion, beliefs, and values, but one thing is for sure- we all believe in the safety of our children. All who volunteered are commended for their efforts. It is wonderful to see how much support there is in our community.
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