“We got two runners….I’m on my way up to get ‘em….”
I knew the voice without introduction. Flora Jessop was on the line.
If there’s a definition of “hell-raiser” in the dictionary, it should be accompanied by a photo of Flora.
It was a Sunday morning in early 2004. I was sipping coffee and reading the newspaper–all set for a quiet day at home.
Then the phone rings.
“…two girls…running…..they’re at a safe house…I’m going to go pick ‘em up….leaving right away….you want to go?”
Flora Jessop is sort of like a force of nature and I could tell by her voice that a storm was brewing.
So much for the quiet Sunday!
My first move: I call my good buddy, 3TV’s legendary cameraman Mike Hernandez, to see if the big man was up for this little impromptu trip and the next thing I know the two of us are flying northbound up the I-17 from Phoenix to Flagstaff–headed for a rendezvous with Flora.
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Mike Watkiss
We are so lucky to live in this incredible state. Where else can you go from desert, to red rocks to high mountain magic in a matter of hours?
I just finished another series of my favorite assignments this past week. We call them Arizona Family Adventures, three nights of taking you folks to some of my most loved spots. This time, we centered on day trips from the valley, because we know everybody is busy, making it hard to take three or four days for a trip to places like Monument Valley or the White Mountains.
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3TV Anchors & Reporters, Steve Bodinet
I know I’ve already blogged about my “Are You My Family?” segments, but I’d like to invite everyone to watch an upcoming special on 3TV. On Thanksgiving evening, we’ll be airing an entire half-hour program, devoted to finding Arizona foster kids a home.
I know my biggest blessing in life is my family. I can’t imagine not having a family, especially during the holidays. 22 of the kids we’ve profiled over the past year and a half have found homes, but there are approximately 1500 more who will spend the holidays in a foster home or group home. For some of them, they may never find a home, “aging out” of the system when they turn 18.
These kids are in foster care through no fault of their own. They want more than anything to be loved. One of the boys we’re profiling in this special was a boy we profiled a year ago for the “Are You My Family” segments on Good Evening Arizona. A year later, Austin is still just as upbeat and happy-go-lucky as ever…but he’s still waiting for a family. For the story, we asked him to draw a picture of his ideal family. He started with a picture of a mother, wearing a sports jersey. I asked him why his mom would be wearing a jersey, and he said it was because she would be there to cheer him on at his games. He plays on sports teams, but has a worker from his group home drop him off for games. He looks up in the stands every week and sees his friends’ parents cheering them on. Then he gets picked up to go back to his group home.
Austin’s story breaks my heart. I hope…and I know he is hoping….that someone will see his story on tv and want to adopt him. There are other ways you can help these children, even if you’re not interested in adoption.
Please tune in on Thanksgiving evening to meet some of the 1500 Arizona children asking “Are You My Family?”
See picture of Austin
3TV Anchors & Reporters
For many months I’ve been following the story of Casey Johansen. He’s a young husband and father of two.
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3TV Anchors & Reporters, Carey Peña