Charlie’s Dinosaur Building a Safer Community

In 2012, Crime Stoppers of Tacoma-Pierce County developed a new outreach program in cooperation with the Cox family following the tragic murder of their grandsons Charlie and Braden.  Our volunteers teamed up with the Cox family, the case detectives from the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, and child advocacy groups to provide care items for children placed into emergency foster homes.  The care items come in the form of backpacks filled with new bedding, toiletries, clothing, school supplies and toys.  These backpacks are distributed by police officers to children who are being suddenly removed from homes due to unsafe, abusive, unsanitary living conditions.  All of the items are donated by citizens and business in our community, including our friends at Walmart, and other non-profit organizations.

To Donate to Charlie’s Dinosaur:

Charlie’s Dinosaur is currently a local Pierce County project.

If you would like to expand Charlie’s Dinosaur Project to your area, please use the contact us feature on the Susan Cox Powell Foundation to let us know.

The Charlie’s Dinosaur logo is based on a drawing made by Charlie Powell, the idea for the project and the name “Charlie’s Dinosaur” were created by the Pierce County case detectives.

February 28^th, 2012

Project-Charlie’s Dinosaur

On February 5^th, 2012 Charlie and Braden Powell were murdered in PierceCounty by their father, Joshua Powell.  The horrific crime has had a devastating effect on the entire community, to include responding law enforcement officers.  During a search warrant service related to the subsequent investigation, a large hand-drawn poster of a dinosaur was found in a storage unit rented by Joshua Powell.  The poster was marked “Charlie’s Dinosaur” and was one of the few items recovered of any personal nature to the boys.  The drawing could not have been more precious, and for a moment provided a deep sense of joy and renewal of faith those who saw it.

As a result of that moment, several detectives from the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department have formed a small service group dedicated to provide assistance to those in need.  “Charlie’s Dinosaur” was chosen as the name of the club as it defines our Mission: To provide comfort and assistance through quiet acts of kindness and generosity to our foster children.  Any donations, assistance or service will be conducted in the name of “Charlie’s Dinosaur” only, with no mention of the members or their occupation.

The primary focus of this project is to help kids that are placed with Child Protective Services or otherwise removed from their home/family with little or no belongings.  Our goal is to provide a backpack of personal items for these children to help them gain a sense of comfort and security in owning their own clothing and hygiene supplies.  Our wish is that when faced with the overwhelming emotion that comes from being removed from their normal care, that the children can maintain the dignity and reassurance of having their own complete set of clothing, personal care items, small toys and/or comfort items.

Although focused on assisting children displaced from their normal environment, the group also has other projects planned for the year to include providing school supplies to children who are disadvantaged or at risk.

On behalf of the Board of “Charlie’s Dinosaur”, we thank you for your assistance and support in our endeavor.

Sincerely;

Lynelle Anderson

Teresa Berg

Kevin Johnson

Gary Sanders

To Donate to Charlie’s Dinosaur:

The Susan Cox Powell Foundation is a separate entity from Charlie’s Dinosaur, however, we are glad to help facilitate contact with Charlie’s Dinosaur and provide support to Charlie’s Dinosaur.  Please feel free to contact The Susan Cox Powell Foundation if you need assistance with Charlie’s Dinosaur.