Making Idaho the Safest State in the Nation for Children

In July of 2009, over 2,500 Boise citizens braved 105 degree temperatures to help search for a missing boy, Robert Manwill. Unfortunately, his story ended in tragedy. However, the same way he galvanized so many citizens of Boise to come together and unite in one effort, his story was the motivating factor behind the formation of the Protect Idaho Kids Foundation. The Protect Idaho Kids Foundation is a non-profit whose mission is to educate, inform and create an awareness of resources already available in our community that help keep our children safe and make Idaho the safest state in the nation for our children. 

The Protect Idaho Kids campaign aims to increase awareness of child safety issues that most affect the youth in our community; to educate as a form of prevention and to help raise money for established local child protection agencies that are already caring for our children. To achieve these goals, we have utilized national foundations, such as the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and KinderVision (the oldest and largest national child protection agency in the country), as well as integrated local resources, such as the Boise Police Department, Family Advocates, SPAN Idaho, Idaho Children’s Trust Fund and the Boise School District. This assures our educational messages are current, relevant and provide accurate information for parents and children.

Over the last year, the Protect Idaho Kids Foundation has aired Public Service Announcements with Olympic Gold Medalist Kristin Armstrong, Astronaut Barbara Morgan, two time Vancouver Olympic Medalist J. R. Celski, and Brittany Bartley.

Local media: KBOI 2 and Citadel Radio have partnered with Protect Idaho Kids to deliver these informative safety messages to parents and youth throughout the Boise area. In the last year we have expanded our reach into the Twin Falls market on FOX 35 and the Pocatello market on Fox 31.

We thank all of our business sponsors, board members, media and the community who have supported our cause. The Protect Idaho Kids campaign and our summer events would not have been possible without the generosity and community involvement of all our corporate sponsors, donations and time put in by our volunteers.

All children are deserving of a safe, healthy and nurturing environment. For more information on how you can become involved in the Protect Idaho Kids campaign, please contact Bruce Wingate 761-5695 or Heather Cooper 283-3707 or email heather.cooper35@gmail.com.