Law Enforcement Foundation Starts the Year off Strong
The launch of a new and improved website increases awareness
April 9, 2010: The Jeffrey S. Parola Foundation announces the launch of a new and improved website. The site, jeffreysparolafoundation.org, has undergone some significant changes this year that reflect the rise in popularity of social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter and the idea that online engagement by internet users is expanding.
The non-profit foundation was established after the tragic loss of Maine State Trooper Jeffrey S. Parola in 1994. Since then, it has raised over $350,000 through its fundraising efforts. The funds have been used to provide safety equipment and training to the Maine State Police, provide scholarships to students pursuing a career in law enforcement, and to aid families of fallen or injured law officers. The foundation has now turned to social media to increase awareness and raise funds.
The foundation’s new and improved website launched early this year. One of its newest features: A link directly on the site to “Become a Fan” of the Jeffrey S. Parola Foundation Facebook page, which has been live since the beginning of December and currently has over 1,000 fans. Links to YouTube, Flickr, and Twitter are also now easily accessible from the website. When users click through they can access content relevant to the foundation; from video and images of past fundraising events to updates on officers killed in the line of duty. With the addition of a ‘Maine Law Enforcement News’ section, users can access the week’s top news stories relating to Maine law enforcement. The revamped website is now accepting online donations. The foundation is currently thanking its donors by sending them a complimentary gift.
"We recently hired a social media networking company to monitor and administer our social media assets. It has helped us to become more active and relevant in the online landscape and has increased awareness of the foundation," Todd Parola, President of the foundation. Social Media Connectors, Inc. offers services to initiate, monitor, administer, and integrate social media assets such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. The company also offers a range of professional services.
The Jeffrey S. Parola Foundation will be launching a number of online fundraising programs throughout the year and will be partnering with some well-known Maine-based companies. For more information on the Jeffrey S. Parola Foundation or to make a donation, visit jeffreysparolafoundation.org.