To Protect & Serve
Symbols of appreciation come in many forms, from a simple verbal 'thank you' to a hand-written note to a random act of kindness. But for the family of a Nicholasville, Kentucky police officer the token of appreciation had a deeper, more heartfelt meaning for both them and those involved in the project.
The National Corvette Museum received a phone call in July, 2016 from Melissa Rhoads. Her husband, Burke, was an avid Corvette fan, having purchased a 1984 that he had slowly been restoring as time and finances allowed. He had promised their daughter, Jacquelyn, that she could take the Corvette to prom when she turned 16. Sadly, Burke was killed in a car accident while on duty for the Nicholasville Police Department in 2015 and the project remained unfinished.
"Our Executive Director, Wendell Strode, received a voice mail from Melissa asking for a recommendation of a shop in her area of Kentucky that could paint her late husband's Corvette," said Katie Frassinelli, Marketing and Communication Manager for the Museum. "We started researching by reaching out to the Bluegrass Corvette Club based in Lexington, and even asked around at the Somernites car show in Somerset, KY. With a project as special as this, you want to make sure the car is in good hands. At some point I thought - why don't we at the Museum head up taking care of this car?"
The idea was pitched to other members of the management team with the thought that the project would symbolize the Museum's support of law enforcement, not just in Kentucky but everywhere. "As a 501c3 nonprofit foundation we typically are not able to take on outside projects… but this was different," said Katie. "We have always tried to extend our gratitude to law enforcement and military with various free or reduced price admission promotions - but to be able to translate that appreciation into a physical act of kindness was very meaningful for our team."
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Source: NCM