By Cara Chapman
Press-Republican
DANNEMORA — Community members who attended the Clinton Strong Law Enforcement Appreciation Fun Day Saturday were greeted by a large sign reading “Thank You” above a blue ribbon, the symbol of support for those involved in the manhunt in June for escaped inmates Richard Matt and David Sweat.
Messages from individuals, families and law enforcement covered the sign, thanking the community itself and those who participated in the search.
Kristi Cranford and her mother Paulette Ambrosio, both of Dannemora, started organizing the event — which took place at the Village of Dannemora Community Center — about a month ago as a way to to thank local law enforcement for their efforts during the manhunt.
“It’s open to the community to come and show their thanks and give their support,” Cranford said.
The day featured entertainment provided by 98.9 WOKO, a Mickey Park bouncy house, outdoor games, Pipsqueak the clown and food.
Cranford and Ambrosio wanted to create a day for people to come and go as they pleased with their families.
“Some (law enforcement) missed the births of their children, some missed weddings, graduations,” Ambrosio said.
Ambrosio’s husband, Joseph, added that some had missed Father’s Day as well.
“I felt bad for the law enforcement and what they missed out on with their families,” Cranford said, “so my mom and I wanted to have a day for them.”
REINVEST IN COMMUNITY
Ambrosio said that during the manhunt, proceeds from “Clinton Strong” T-shirts Cranford had been selling at Jim’s Sports reached $1,000.
Once Matt was killed and Sweat recaptured, the question became “what now?”
“We didn’t want to make any money off of it — we wanted to reinvest it back into the community,” Ambrosio said.
So Cranford and Ambrosio used the funds to plan an appreciation day that law enforcement members could attend with their families, and that people from the greater community could come to and express their gratitude.
Cranford said additional proceeds from 50/50s and raffles at the event will go toward repaying Finney Sports for the shirts, the Dannemora Youth Commission and other community organizations.
Though she had hoped for a better turnout earlier in the day, Ambrosio remained optimistic.
“It’s nice to see these guys out here, taking a breath of fresh air,” she said.
Cranford said later that some officers from Clinton Correctional Facility were able to come down.
“They sent down a bunch of the guys in vanloads,” she said, adding that they also brought food back up to the workers on shift.
APPRECIATION OF COMMUNITY
Sgt. Douglas Bell of the Ogdensburg Correctional Facility/Riverview Correctional Facility CERT (Corrections Emergency Response Team) Team 7 made the drive with other members of his team and their families from Ogdensburg to show his support for the community.
Though he couldn’t comment on the manhunt itself, Bell said he and his group feel like family here.
“This deployment brought a lot of people together,” he said. “It created a lot of strong bonds and lifelong friendships.
“On behalf of not only CERT 7, but all CERT teams, we offer our appreciation of the community.”
The Auburn Correctional Facility CERT team was not able to make it to the fun day, but expressed its thanks by sending a plaque to the Village of Dannemora.
Trustee Richard Scholl was there to receive the plaque.
“We opened up the community center to the CERT teams,” he said.
‘CAN’T PRAISE THEM ENOUGH’
Debra Bordeau of Dannemora manned one of the food stations at the fun day.
She lives on one of the corners where law enforcement had set up watches, and said she always felt safe when they were there.
“I just want to thank them all,” Bordeau said. “Their lives were in jeopardy.”
“They had a job to do and they did it well and professionally,” Ambrosio said.
“I felt very safe throughout the whole thing — I can’t praise these guys enough.”