Donate by check:  Please make check out to Responders Resource Center and in the memo line, add “Refuge Point”

Mail to: Responders Resource Center, 1400 NE 136^th Ave. Ste 201 Vancouver, WA 98684

Refuge Point

We stand ready 24/7 with over 20 trained, certified emergency volunteers to support our county’s first responders with food and shelter in times when they will be on-scene for long periods.

We can usually be anywhere in the county in about an hour. We come with a trailer equipped with a field kitchen, shelters, tables, and chairs, and a lavatory.

As a branch of Responders Resource Center, this ministry has been funded by Freedom Community Church in Battle Ground, but as time goes on, and the agencies we support realize the benefit of having us both on-scene and supporting their training exercises, we now need to reach out to the community for your additional support.

In the past 14 months, we’ve provided over 850 meals, about 500 during emergencies, and the rest during training, often in remote locations. This is fully volunteer-staffed, so our only expenses are food, fuel, and maintenance.

Please help us show that our community cares for our officers. As a monthly donor, you’ll help us be better equipped to support them.

To feed 50 for a normal training mission day, including lunch or dinner, plus break snacks runs about $300. We expect to do around four per month. This covers food, drinks, utensils, plates, propane, gasoline, etc. Then there’s our trailer, we’ve converted an old toy hauler to serve our needs, but it’s rapidly approaching its end of life, we’re hoping it will last through this year, so our goal is to save up about $10,000 to by a less used one.

Contact Mark Greisz at 360-798-5966 for more information.

As a police chaplain, I have requested the services of the Refuge Point critical response team to locations where we are responding to traumatic events. This team is always on time, well prepared and very professional. They provide a service that goes beyond delicious warm soups and sandwiches, their team is also trained in Critical Incident Stress Management, and they are well equipped in communication that is required to deescalate stress on these call outs. Their care and compassion to the responders is extraordinary. Every time I see the Refuge point team and smell their delicious treats coming out of the trailer, I know I can take a deep sigh of relief and have a moment of rest in a very stressful situation. My sincerest heart felt gratitude to this team. Thank you for all that you do. This community needs you! – Cari Arnsparger, Chaplain, Clark County Sheriff’s Office

The Refuge Point proved invaluable for our deputies during prolonged investigations and challenging situations. The support they received was deeply appreciated, enabling them to stay focused and sustained amid often traumatic events. – Brian Kessel, Chief Enforcement Deputy, Clark County Sheriff’s Office

We have had Refuge Point respond to two training days at a remote location. We found the service to be efficient and very helpful. We used the service as a “trial run” in the event we need them for a “real world” use. I have full confidence in the response abilities of Refuge Point. – Jason Perdue, Lieutenant, City of Battle Ground

Refuge Point was there for us and delivered as promised! I was the coordinator for a large-scale, off-sight, physically demanding 3-day training which required catering for our officers, instructors, and other staff. When I learned about Refuge Point providing this service at a huge cost-savings to the Department, it was an easy decision for me. The snacks and meals were tasty and there were zero complaints from the troops. If an agency is in need and has the opportunity to take advantage of this service, I highly suggest you do. Refuge was able to have delicious local food donated. What a classy addition to the training. They also have coffee, water, and other hydration options available. – Carole Boswell, Sergant, Vancouver Police Department

I’d like to take a moment to thank Refuge Point for their incredible work and dedication to all the first responders in Clark County. There have been several incidents that Refuge Point has offered to come and assist us at. Many of those times have been during critical incidents that involve a multitude of resources (first responders) at all hours of the day and night, and in not the most favorable of weather conditions. Having a mere warm cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa and a cookie go a long way during an event. Having a hot meal to end an incident with friendly conversations whether with co-workers or the Refuge Point staff have been tremendously beneficial. This helps the first responders unwind physically but also allows the mind to come back to a level of “normal” for us. – Brian Ellithorpe, Seargant, Clark County Sheriff’s Office

Donate by check:  Please make check out to Responders Resource Center and in the memo line, add “Refuge Point”

Mail to: Responders Resource Center, 1400 NE 136^th Ave. Ste 201 Vancouver, WA 98684