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The Search for Rachel, a father's journal

Saturday, March 1, 2003

My friend Marie and I drove up to Burleson, Texas, today to help with the Opal Jennings search. I led a large team which searched an area that a tip had come in about. We searched for three hours in the morning, returned to the search center for lunch, and then completed the original area plus an additional area I thought needed to be searched. We did not find anything on either search.

Another team working a different location found some human-looking bones and a tennis shoe nearby. The siting was reported to police, and experts were sent to examine the bones. The police determined the bones were those of a large dog.

Sunday, March 2

I submitted the not-for-profit corporation request for Rachel Alert Network today. I'm not sure how long it will take to be approved by the state. Hopefully it will only take a month or two to become official.

A link to Rachel's web site has been added to actress Kelli McCarty's web site. Ms. McCarty plays Beth on NBC's PASSIONS. People can visit her site by clicking here I want to thank Kelli and her sister for adding the link.

Monday, March 3

A woman created a beautiful collage made up of pictures of Rachel. She gave me permission to add the collage to Rachel's web site. To view the collage click here.

The invitations for the Music for the Missing Concert arrived on Saturday, and I am creating a list of people to mail them to. The invitations will be mailed later this week.

It seems the Opal Jennings search turned up nothing. We worked hard to search all of the areas identified by the new leads. At least we know where Opal isn't.

Tuesday, March 4

Yesterday the body of missing Kristine Johnson was found in Hollywood Hills. It seems Kristine might have been lured by a photographer claiming to have a movie role for her. The man has used this line many times. One report said the police may have the man in custody on another charge. One way or another, this creep needs to be taken off of the streets.

Today I found out a better way to file the non-profit status for Rachel Alert Network. A person e-mailed me and explained where to hand deliver the application. After the Texas non-profit corporation is formed, then an application will be submitted to the federal government for a 501(C)3 non-profit tax status.

Wednesday, March 5

I mailed Music for the Missing Concert invitations to several people, including Texas Governor Rick Perry, U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutcheson, U.S. Representative Nick Lampson, Texas Representatives Miguel Wise and Toby Goodman, and Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott. All of these people pushed to have the Amber Alert installed state-wide. I'm sure they will want to come to the concert and support the people who make the Amber Alert work.

I completed the Texas non-profit corporation form for the Rachel Alert Network. Tomorrow I will submit the application to the State of Texas. The three Rachel Alert Network directors will meet next week to develop the bylaws for our new corporation. After the bylaws are created, I will submit Rachel Alert Network for U.S. non-profit status.

Thursday, March 6

I corrected a few errors on Rachel's web pages and the Music for the Missing Concert flyer. Sometimes you look at something for hours and don't see a mistake.

I noticed Rachel appears on one of the Texas Attorney General's web pages. The page may be viewed by clicking here. I'd like to thank Greg Abbott's staff for featuring Rachel's story and her mother Janet's poem.

Friday, March 7

I received a phone call today from THE JOHN WALSH SHOW. They are doing a follow-up story with updates from previous stories they have aired. I told them we really don't know anything new in Rachel's case. They will probably not put Rachel's story in the update story since there are not any changes.

I did remember to ask for an address to write John Walsh. I want to mail him an invitation to the Music for the Missing Concert. He's a very busy man, but there's always a chance he can come. I will mail the invitation tomorrow.

A 17-year-old girl was reported missing from North Austin yesterday. Erika D'Avignon was last seen on February 22, 2003. Click here to see her flyer. She is currently listed as a runaway. If that status changes, a search for her may be done.

Saturday, March 8

I flew to Charlotte, North Carolina, today for the Friends of Kristen Modaferri Foundation's Crystal Ball fundraiser. Kent Jacobs' sister Jackie and her other brother picked me up at the Charlotte airport.

We arrived at the hotel in the afternoon and I finally got to meet Joan Petruski, the founder of the Friends of Kristen Modafferi Foundation. Her organization helps families of missing adults.

I was glad to get to talk with Bob and Debbie Modafferi again. We met last October when we were on THE JOHN WALSH SHOW. Bob and Debbie are the parents of missing Kristen Modaferri. Kristen disappeared from the Bay Area of California almost 6 years ago.

Missing Jason Knapp's mother and step-father also attended the fundraiser. Jason disappeared while attending Clemson University and has been missing 5 years. I will be adding a link to Jason's flyer on the links page on rachelcookesearch.org.

The fundraiser was a huge success. I don't know how many thousands of dollars the silent and live auctions generated, but I know the money will go to good use supporting searches for missing adults. Ms. Petruski is an amazing woman.

I gave the families with missing loved ones and the Petruskis each an invitation to the Music for the Missing Concert. The Jacobs' family will probably not by able to attend the concert, but they will come for the Run/Walk for Rachel on May 17.

Sunday, March 9

I flew back to Texas today from North Carolina. When I arrived home, I got caught up on e-mails, my journal, and other things.

Monday, March 10

My sister Elaine and I met with RunTex today. We went over what RunTex will do at the Run/Walk for Rachel on Saturday, May 17, and what our team will do. I'm happy to say RunTex is now an official sponsor of the 2003 Run/Walk for Rachel. I will start working on the Run/Walk information web page this week.

Elaine will be leading the Run/Walk preparation while I concentrate on the Music for the Missing Concert. All of the information for the concert may be seen on http://rachelcookesearch.org/concert.html. After the concert is over, I will have six weeks to finish the Run/Walk setup.

Tuesday, March 11

I spoke with a couple of members of Travis County Search and Rescue today. They are working to acquire donations for the Music for the Missing Concert and even had a new concert web banner made. I will add the banner to rachelcookesearch.org next week.

I am reading a book on forming a non-profit corporation. The book has some good bylaw examples which I can use to develop the Rachel Alert Network bylaws. The new directors of our corporation are meeting this week to finalize the bylaws and discuss other legal issues.

I requested a link be added to Rachel's web site from two other sites which were recommended to me. The two web sites are Help-Find-Missing-People.com and AMALP a Non-Profit Ministry. Both web sites have been added to the rachelcookesearch.org links page.

Wednesday, March 12

A miracle happened today. After nine months 15-year-old Elizabeth Smart was found and returned safely home to her family. The Smart family never gave up hope. They never gave in to thinking that Elizabeth would never be found and even thought she would be found alive. God answered a lot of prayers today.

Well, the Cooke family has not given up either. I am announcing the Remember Rachel Campaign today. It's time for everyone to remember that our beloved Rachel Cooke is still missing and we still need to look for her.

I challenge everyone reading this to print ten of Rachel's reward flyers and post them. Over 400 people a day read this journal. If every one of them helps, 4,000 flyers of Rachel Cooke will be posted. If you care, please help. I don't care where you live, please post ten flyers. The flyers may be downloaded by clicking here.

Thursday, March 13

I forgot to mention in yesterday's journal that we removed Elizabeth Smart's blue ribbon from Rachel's Tree. I have a friend in Salt Lake City who knows the Smarts. The ribbon will be mailed to my friend, and she will give it to the Smart family. This is where the ribbon belongs. It's no longer needed here.

I registered Rachel Alert Network as a Texas non-profit corporation today. We still have to submit the paperwork for federal non-profit status.

My wife Janet and I did an interview with both KXAN and KVUE this afternoon. I watched the KXAN coverage at 5:00 p.m. and the KVUE coverage at 6:00 p.m. Both segments were excellent.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS also called me. The reporter did an interview with me over the phone. I'm not sure when it will be in the newspaper.

A second miracle happened today. Thirteen-year-old Stephanie Boomer was returned safely to her family; a 19-year-old convicted sex offender had had her since Sunday night. It seems that he lured her to run away. A group of us were already planning to join the search for Stephanie on Saturday in Magnolia, Texas.

Friday, March 14

So many questions are being asked about Elizabeth Smart's rescue. Everyone wants to know how Mitchell kept her around other people without Elizabeth trying to escape. Some people are even saying she stayed willingly with him. I do not believe this. Emmanuel was using threats and mind control to keep her with him.

Some people are having problems downloading Rachel's reward poster from rachelcookesearch.org. I added a new printable page which doesn't have any headings. The Acrobat Reader version will have to be redone.

I'm hoping to have time to post some of Rachel's flyers myself tomorrow. I hope everyone reading my journal has taken me up on my challenge to print out and post 10 of Rachel's reward flyers. Please help us get her face back out there. One miracle happened this week; why can't we have another one?

I still have to finish up the bylaws for the Rachel Alert Network. With the joy and shock of finding Elizabeth Smart alive, I couldn't concentrate on the bylaws the past two days.

Saturday, March 15

My friend Marie and I posted Rachel's reward flyers at about 30 different businesses and restaurants around Lakeline Mall. Some businesses have rules against posting things, but most of the locations let us post the flyers. FOX 7 News filmed us for about 30 minutes. The report appeared on both FOX 7 News at 6:00 p.m. and at 10:00 p.m.

I worked on the bylaws for the Rachel Alert Network tonight. I'm glad I had an example to work from. Creating the bylaws from scratch would be very difficult.

Sunday, March 16

I completed the bylaws for Rachel Alert Network. The Board of Directors needs to discuss the bylaws and make any changes before we send the federal non-profit application for RAN.

I got caught up with e-mails and other items today. The new surge of attention brought to Rachel's case by Elizabeth Smart's return to her family kept me pretty busy for three days.

The interview I did with the DALLAS MORNING NEWS is on-line. To read "Girl's return inspires Texas couple" click here.You have to register.

Monday, March 17

The Board of Directors of Rachel Alert Network met tonight for the first time. We went over the Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation for RAN. I will make the corrections we identified and the board will meet again next week.

We may have a speaker from the State of Texas give a short talk at the Music for the Missing Concert. I will announce more information when this is finalized.

Tuesday, March 18

After work today I picked up my new uniform for the Austin P.D. Civil Defense Search and Rescue Unit. The uniforms are grey BDUs uniforms with an American flag over the pocket and Austin Search and Rescue patches on the sleeves. They look really nice.

I spoke with a reporter from the Associated Press today over the phone. She interviewed me about my wife Janet 's and my opinion of the Texas DNA Database being developed in North Texas. The interview was much like the one I did last month with WFAA News from Dallas.

I made all of the corrections to the Rachel Alert Network Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation. The RAN Board of Directors will meet again next week to make a final review of those documents.

Wednesday, March 19

I ate lunch with Greg Allen, the father of missing Sabrina Allen. We both talked about our daughter's cases and the lack of clues. One thing we did agree on was the moment each of our daughters became missing, our lives were put on hold.

A new "grass roots" movement on the Internet to get Rachel on AMERICA'S MOST WANTED may have gotten the show's attention. I have to have the Williamson County Sheriff's Office call them.

The war with Iraq started today. Only a few limited targets were hit. I'm sure the action will increase in the next few days. I just hope the war doesn't take too much attention away from the problems at home. We still need to work on a lot of issues right here in the United States.

Thursday, March 20

I spoke with some of the people who are collecting donations for the Music for the Missing Concert. We only have about 15 committed items now, but we should be able to acquire 40 or more by the concert date, April 6, 2003.

My wife Janet has donated several of her paintings to the concert. All of the items will be marked with an estimated value and a minimum bid.

Friday, March 21

Some more donations came in today for the April 6 Music for the Missing Concert. A 2-night stay at a Port Aransas, Texas, condo was kindly donated as well as a professional massage gift certificate. Several goody baskets with coffee and other nice things have also been donated.

With the war going on now we need as much help as possible from people to get the word out about the concert. Please download one of Rachel's flyers and one of the concert flyers and post them both. To download Rachel's flyer click here. To download the concert flyer click here.

The Williamson County Sheriff's Office is contacting AMERICA'S MOST WANTED. Due to the Internet e-mail campaign for Rachel's story to appear on the program, AMW seems to be listening to us again.

Saturday, March 22

I began making a list of final things to do for the Music for the Missing Concert. The concert is only two weeks away. I want to make sure everything is done and we do not have any last minute complications.

Tomorrow I will finish the non-profit application for Rachel Alert Network. The Board of Directors will be meeting this week, so I want everything ready for our review.

Several people have e-mailed and called me about the Remember Rachel Campaign. Flyers are being posted in Central Texas, Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, East Texas, Arizona, California, Florida, and several other locations. Please help us get Rachel's picture back out in the public eye. Go to rachelcookesearch.org, click on either English or Spanish Poster, print it out and post it at your favorite store, restaurant, or other public place.

Sunday, March 23

I finished the review of the federal non-profit publications. There is a lot to the application, but I think I now know everything we need to do.

A good donation came in this weekend from Sun City. They donated four rounds of golf for the Music for the Missing Concert. We will either auction them in two pairs or put all four rounds together.

I received a nice e-mail from an Air Force staff sergeant today. Even though the sergeant just received orders for Iraq, he posted 30 of Rachel's flyers. He is also taking some of Rachel's posters to the Middle East with him. Good luck Sergeant, thank you, and God bless you!

Monday, March 24

My sister Elaine and I sent out the press release for the Music for the Missing Concert this afternoon. I hope the release doesn't get ignored due to the war with Iraq. We also have important issues at home which we need to deal with.

The AMERICA'S MOST WANTED contact has turned out to be no good. We will keep trying to get Rachel's story on the program.

After three weeks, a 14-year-old Michigan girl was found safe in California by a California Highway Patrol Officer. Lindsey Ryan was in the custody of an armed 56-year-old convicted murderer who originally took her from her hometown.

Tuesday, March 25

Several more donations arrived today for the Music for the Missing Concert. We now have rounds of golf with a cart for 2-4 people at Sun City, Georgetown Country Club, Berry Creek Country Club, and Southwestern University. Now we need golfers to come to the concert and bid for the rounds of golf.

Several other items have also been donated to the concert. Gift baskets, paintings, books, and dinners for two are just a few of the additional silent auction items available.

The Rachel Alert Network Board of Directors met for the second time tonight. We finalized the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws for RAN. An estimated budget was proposed for 2003 and 2004, which will be included in the non-profit application package to the I.R.S.

Wednesday, March 26

I wrote down an inventory of all the donations received for the Music for the Missing Concert. We should have over 40 items or services in the silent auction. A lot of other items are currently being finalized. My personal goal is to have at least 50 items ranging in worth from $16 to $1,400 each.

The local Austin chapter of Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA) contacted me with an offer to help with the search for Rachel and the other missing. The Salt Lake City chapter of BACA helped distribute Elizabeth Smart's flyers. BACA will help distribute flyers, and hopefully they will have several members in attendance at the concert on April 6 and the Run/Walk for Rachel on May 17. I have invited BACA to set up a table at the Run/Walk. Several volunteer agencies will be at that event to tell the public what they do.

An Amber Alert went out today for missing 14-year-old Julysa McKinney from Houston. Texas EquuSearch was contacted and started a search for her. Julysa's aunt was able to track down the girl and Julysa was returned home safe.

Thursday, March 27

I finally mailed Elizabeth Smart's blue ribbon from Rachel's Tree to Salt Lake City. I wanted to include a picture of the tree and a newspaper article. I hope the Smart family will have time to read my letter.

A box of six games arrived today from the inventor of the SITUATIONS child awareness game. Three of the six games are SITUATIONS. All six games will be available at the Music for the Missing silent auction.

Friday, March 28

I mailed the last invitations for the Music for the Missing Concert. Hopefully some of the invited guests will attend the concert on April 6.

The new banner for the concert has been added to the home page of rachelcookesearch.org. The banner should attract more attention during the last week before the concert. It's rather large, so I waited to add it to the page.

My wife Janet has also finished the T-shirt design for the 2003 Run/Walk for Rachel. I would like to get a picture of the design on-line next week. We only have six weeks after the concert to prepare for the Run/Walk. Getting a few things done for the Run/Walk before the concert will make it easier later.

Saturday, March 29

I spoke to Tim Miller, the director of Texas EquuSearch yesterday. They are doing a search for a missing Houston girl this weekend, I am not able to join that search. Tim and I also discussed the upcoming Music for the Missing Concert. Texas EquuSearch is working to get media coverage in Houston about the concert, and they are also collecting donations.

I hope people are still downloading Rachel's flyers and posting them at their favorite stores. I am relying on people who read my journal to do this. Please help us get Rachel's picture back out in the public.

Sunday, March 30

I added some more items to the silent auction list for the Music for the Missing Concert, My wife Janet is donating six of her paintings to the auction. My friend Marie also received some tickets for Round Rock Express games.

I saw some new information on the Elizabeth Smart case today. The latest information I read from GLOBE magazine is very interesting. I'll wait until another source prints something on the same subject before I comment on the article.

Monday, March 31

We made some last minute adjustments of the band schedules for the Music for the Missing Concert. The bands now include Al White and the Chaparral, Dave Jorgenson and the Real Deal, and The Dave Wiantt Band. Another band from Houston named Cowboys' Nightmare may also perform. More information on the concert is available on rachelcookesearch.org/concert

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott will stop by the concert for a few minutes. He wants to show his support for the cause and say a few words. So far Attorney General Abbott is the only representative from government who has committed to attend the concert, even though I invited over 15 people from local, state, and national offices.

Tonight the Rachel Alert Network Board of Directors met to finalize the bylaws. We signed the bylaws and are now ready to submit the application for non-profit status to the IRS. This has been a lot of work, and I hope the application is processed without too much additional work for us.

In March, 2003, rachelcookesearch.org had over 11,000 visitors and received over 234,000 hits. Even though usage has dropped since the war with Iraq started, the web site still averages 356 visitors per day.