The media has played a significant role in the search to #FindLauren. Local and national reporters continue to remind the world that Lauren is missing. Now, we ask that you help us expand that scope of coverage.
Tomorrow, we will focus on Nancy Grace. Nancy could change the outcome of this story and help the Spierer family find peace as they continue to search for answers.
Please consider sending one tweet/per hour to Nancy Grace and her staff: @nancygracehln & @teamnancyhln.
Tweet: Please use your power to influence change. Please HELP. You have the power to #FindLauren. @nancygracehln @teamnancyhln. #MediaMatters
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
Day 50, a letter from Charlene
Charlene asked that I share this with you all. Today is day 50.
---
July 21, 2011
Our daughter, Lauren, disappeared on June 3, 2011. In the blink of an eye, she disappeared. I truly hope as a parent, you never get that phone call. The feeling is indescribable. Weeks later, the feeling is the same. It’s as if our lives before June 3rd never happened. We are suspended in time. I cannot imagine doing anything other than searching for Lauren until the time we find her and can take her home with us. Some days are paralyzing. As you wake every morning, the nightmare begins again. You cannot give in. You cannot give up hope. Every day you think this could be the day and every day I believe that with all my heart.
Lauren is so much more than a face on a poster. She is Rebecca’s sister. She has grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. She is our daughter. Lauren has friends she adores. Friends she would go the extra mile for. Everyday something reminds me of her. It might be something as small as seeing a sunflower, hearing a song or noticing something I’d love to tell Lauren about. My heart is breaking.
Over the last several weeks, I’ve learned a new language no one should ever have to learn. I now know what things like PLS, POI, recon, ATV and vetting all mean. The word “ transition” is another way of letting me know a change is about to happen that I might not be happy about. I’ve learned to speak while looking into a camera instead of a person’s eyes. I’ve learned that social media is a way to reach a great deal of people in a very short time. I constantly read blogs, check Twitter and Facebook. I’ve learned what it takes to update a website with the latest information about my dear sweet girl. I’ve learned how to suppress my pain. I’ve learned how to keep thoughts of Lauren before June 3 at bay because when they come to the surface it is almost too painful to endure. I’ve learned that you never run out of tears. They are always there, always on the surface, a constant reminder of the ache in my heart. I’ve learned that the world is comprised of many wonderful, kind people. Just waiting to help Rob, Rebecca and me in any way they can.
But outside all that goodness, I’ve learned there lurks an evil, a cruel, heartless element that cares more about themselves than the life of my daughter. That this element of humanity exists in the world is beyond comprehension. Your silence is deafening. Your lack of compassion is irreprehensible. Your lack of respect for another human being which allows you to go day, by day, watching is unimaginable. Everyone is put on this earth for a purpose. Everyone has a defining moment. In the blink of an eye Lauren disappeared. Do not let this be your defining moment. You have no idea what you have taken from us.
My promise to you, we will not rest until we find Lauren. What are you waiting for? You can still do the right thing.
Find Lauren…PO Box 1226…Bloomington, IN 47402-1226.
Lauren, I love you with my heart and soul. We will never give up.
Ever strong, ever determined, ever hopeful,
Charlene Spierer
---
July 21, 2011
Our daughter, Lauren, disappeared on June 3, 2011. In the blink of an eye, she disappeared. I truly hope as a parent, you never get that phone call. The feeling is indescribable. Weeks later, the feeling is the same. It’s as if our lives before June 3rd never happened. We are suspended in time. I cannot imagine doing anything other than searching for Lauren until the time we find her and can take her home with us. Some days are paralyzing. As you wake every morning, the nightmare begins again. You cannot give in. You cannot give up hope. Every day you think this could be the day and every day I believe that with all my heart.
Lauren is so much more than a face on a poster. She is Rebecca’s sister. She has grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. She is our daughter. Lauren has friends she adores. Friends she would go the extra mile for. Everyday something reminds me of her. It might be something as small as seeing a sunflower, hearing a song or noticing something I’d love to tell Lauren about. My heart is breaking.
Over the last several weeks, I’ve learned a new language no one should ever have to learn. I now know what things like PLS, POI, recon, ATV and vetting all mean. The word “ transition” is another way of letting me know a change is about to happen that I might not be happy about. I’ve learned to speak while looking into a camera instead of a person’s eyes. I’ve learned that social media is a way to reach a great deal of people in a very short time. I constantly read blogs, check Twitter and Facebook. I’ve learned what it takes to update a website with the latest information about my dear sweet girl. I’ve learned how to suppress my pain. I’ve learned how to keep thoughts of Lauren before June 3 at bay because when they come to the surface it is almost too painful to endure. I’ve learned that you never run out of tears. They are always there, always on the surface, a constant reminder of the ache in my heart. I’ve learned that the world is comprised of many wonderful, kind people. Just waiting to help Rob, Rebecca and me in any way they can.
But outside all that goodness, I’ve learned there lurks an evil, a cruel, heartless element that cares more about themselves than the life of my daughter. That this element of humanity exists in the world is beyond comprehension. Your silence is deafening. Your lack of compassion is irreprehensible. Your lack of respect for another human being which allows you to go day, by day, watching is unimaginable. Everyone is put on this earth for a purpose. Everyone has a defining moment. In the blink of an eye Lauren disappeared. Do not let this be your defining moment. You have no idea what you have taken from us.
My promise to you, we will not rest until we find Lauren. What are you waiting for? You can still do the right thing.
Find Lauren…PO Box 1226…Bloomington, IN 47402-1226.
Lauren, I love you with my heart and soul. We will never give up.
Ever strong, ever determined, ever hopeful,
Charlene Spierer
Thursday, July 14, 2011
25 Tips to Help the search to #FindLauren
Lauren has been missing for 42 days. After I type in that number, I just stare at it. And then... I don't normally know what to say. Each day I try to compose inspiring tweets, create interesting dialogue or just remind the world that we are here, everyday, trying to #FindLauren. Some days are easier than others.
And you all haven't forgotten. Many of you wake up thinking about her. Most of you fall alseep thinking about her. You don't stop telling people. You haven't stopped tweeting about her.
So, how can you continue to help? Here are some ways.
TIP 1: Take a day trip on the highway. Stop by information and visitor centers and tape up Lauren's poster. Encourage truck drivers to post the poster on their windows. (Posters found here: Posters for Print)
TIP 2: Attend your local summer festival and distribute Lauren's poster. Do you have a parade or local festival in your community? What about a baseball game or another sporting event? Take 200 posters and a few friends and stand outside and distribute posters. Talk to people. Tell them about Lauren.
TIP 3: Have a media connection in your area? Is it with your local newspaper or owners of outdoor billboards? Give them a call. See if they will donate that space (even if for a month) to publish an ad about Lauren. We can get you the artwork for the ad. Can you get us the space?
TIP 4: Upcoming job/health/kids/art/employment/women's fair in your area? Are you helping organize one or know someone organizing? Would they donate a table for you to set up information about the search to Find Lauren? We aren't meaning that you talk theory, we'd like to avoid that. We mean sitting at a table or booth and telling people about Lauren. Telling them how she is missing. Asking them to spread the word. And if people ask what you think happened, nod and say and right now we just need information about what happened or where she could be.
Tip 5: Tweet Lauren's info out to your followers... again. #Twitter feeds move quickly, tweets get lost. Tweet this: 20 yr. old student, missing since 6/3, HELP #FindLauren, http://twitpic.com/5b16w5, follow @NewsOnLaurenS, findlauren.com
Tip 6: Tweet 5-10 high profile people from this list and ask them to RT her info:
Also, we'd like to get the following to cover Lauren's story:
Nancy Grace: @NancyGraceHLN
The View: @theviewtv (They did, but we need more!)
Live with Regis & Kelly: @KellyRipa
Tip 7: Tweet/write/call your local media and ask them to cover/keep covering the Lauren Spierer case to #FindLauren. Ask why they aren't covering this story if not. Tell them you want to hear more about it.
Tip 8: #Tweeting not your thing? Close to #Bloomington? Arrange days off, assemble a team and come here! Distribute posters and tell everyone you can about Lauren.
Tip 9: Consider donating to help fund the search. $5, 10, $25, anything helps: http://www.iuhillel.org/lauren_donate.php Without funds, the search can't go on.
Tip 10: She could be anywhere. People MUST see her. Consider changing your photo on your social media sites to: http://twitpic.com/5842fw
Tip 11: Pass on reward information, $100k and remind people of the anonymous tip line: (812) 339-4477. New PO Box for anonymous information (Set up on June 22): The address is Find Lauren, P.O. Box 1226, Bloomington, IN, 47402-1226.
Tip 12: Have you shared Lauren's picture w/the people you work with? Print out her poster, show it to all.
Tip 13: Do you have a blog? Blog it. Do you read blogs? Request your favorite bloggers to blog it. More info here: http://newsonlaurens.blogspot.com/2011/06/looking-for-bloggers.html
Tip 14: #Facebook your thing? Post Lauren's poster on your page. Ask others to do the same: http://twitpic.com/5842fw
Tip 15: Can you put her poster in your car window? At your local coffee shop? Ask pizza places to stick it on their deliveries?!
Tip 16: Ask businesses to help. Do you have media/PR connections? Can you call them?
Tip 17: Organize a #FindLauren fundraiser. We've seen everything from T-shirts for Lauren to Smoothies for Lauren and Yoga in the park for Lauren. Anything raises awareness and funds to help them continue the search.
Tip 18: Ask the businesses you do business with to donate 10% of their proceeds to the search to findlauren.com.
Tip 19: Have you written and submitted your letter to the Spierer family. You don't have to know the family personally. You can inspire them with your words as to why the search to #FindLauren has been important to you. More information here: http://findlauren.com/reflections.
Tip 20: Attend the Ride 4 Lauren on July 30 in Bloomington and help distribute posters. We need riders and volunteers: Ride4Lauren
Tip 21: Make a video to show support to the Spierer family. We'll feature here on our blog. Show Support For Spierer Video Campaign
Tip 22: Check out the new findlauren.com redesign. More information about the changes here. Press release for the relaunch of FindLauren.com
Tip 23: Follow @NewsOnLaurenS for the latest updates.
Tip 24: Do you have an idea how you or others could help? Email it to us and we'll add it to the list: newsonlaurens@gmail.com.
Tip 25: Don't stop until we #FindLauren. Never give up hope.
And you all haven't forgotten. Many of you wake up thinking about her. Most of you fall alseep thinking about her. You don't stop telling people. You haven't stopped tweeting about her.
So, how can you continue to help? Here are some ways.
TIP 1: Take a day trip on the highway. Stop by information and visitor centers and tape up Lauren's poster. Encourage truck drivers to post the poster on their windows. (Posters found here: Posters for Print)
TIP 2: Attend your local summer festival and distribute Lauren's poster. Do you have a parade or local festival in your community? What about a baseball game or another sporting event? Take 200 posters and a few friends and stand outside and distribute posters. Talk to people. Tell them about Lauren.
TIP 3: Have a media connection in your area? Is it with your local newspaper or owners of outdoor billboards? Give them a call. See if they will donate that space (even if for a month) to publish an ad about Lauren. We can get you the artwork for the ad. Can you get us the space?
TIP 4: Upcoming job/health/kids/art/employment/women's fair in your area? Are you helping organize one or know someone organizing? Would they donate a table for you to set up information about the search to Find Lauren? We aren't meaning that you talk theory, we'd like to avoid that. We mean sitting at a table or booth and telling people about Lauren. Telling them how she is missing. Asking them to spread the word. And if people ask what you think happened, nod and say and right now we just need information about what happened or where she could be.
Tip 5: Tweet Lauren's info out to your followers... again. #Twitter feeds move quickly, tweets get lost. Tweet this: 20 yr. old student, missing since 6/3, HELP #FindLauren, http://twitpic.com/5b16w5, follow @NewsOnLaurenS, findlauren.com
- Ashton Kutcher (@aplusk)
- Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow)
- CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk)
- Britney Spears (@britneyspears)
- Barack Obama (@BarackObama)
- Twitter (@twitter)
- John C. Mayer (@johncmayer)
- Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah)
- Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest)
- Jimmy Fallon (@jimmyfallon)
- Lady Gaga (@ladygaga)
- Justin Bieber (@justinbieber)
- Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian)
- Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13)
- Katy Perry (@katyperry)
Nancy Grace: @NancyGraceHLN
The View: @theviewtv (They did, but we need more!)
Live with Regis & Kelly: @KellyRipa
Tip 7: Tweet/write/call your local media and ask them to cover/keep covering the Lauren Spierer case to #FindLauren. Ask why they aren't covering this story if not. Tell them you want to hear more about it.
Tip 8: #Tweeting not your thing? Close to #Bloomington? Arrange days off, assemble a team and come here! Distribute posters and tell everyone you can about Lauren.
Tip 9: Consider donating to help fund the search. $5, 10, $25, anything helps: http://www.iuhillel.org/lauren_donate.php Without funds, the search can't go on.
Tip 10: She could be anywhere. People MUST see her. Consider changing your photo on your social media sites to: http://twitpic.com/5842fw
Tip 11: Pass on reward information, $100k and remind people of the anonymous tip line: (812) 339-4477. New PO Box for anonymous information (Set up on June 22): The address is Find Lauren, P.O. Box 1226, Bloomington, IN, 47402-1226.
Tip 12: Have you shared Lauren's picture w/the people you work with? Print out her poster, show it to all.
Tip 13: Do you have a blog? Blog it. Do you read blogs? Request your favorite bloggers to blog it. More info here: http://newsonlaurens.blogspot.com/2011/06/looking-for-bloggers.html
Tip 14: #Facebook your thing? Post Lauren's poster on your page. Ask others to do the same: http://twitpic.com/5842fw
Tip 15: Can you put her poster in your car window? At your local coffee shop? Ask pizza places to stick it on their deliveries?!
Tip 16: Ask businesses to help. Do you have media/PR connections? Can you call them?
Tip 17: Organize a #FindLauren fundraiser. We've seen everything from T-shirts for Lauren to Smoothies for Lauren and Yoga in the park for Lauren. Anything raises awareness and funds to help them continue the search.
Tip 18: Ask the businesses you do business with to donate 10% of their proceeds to the search to findlauren.com.
Tip 19: Have you written and submitted your letter to the Spierer family. You don't have to know the family personally. You can inspire them with your words as to why the search to #FindLauren has been important to you. More information here: http://findlauren.com/reflections.
Tip 20: Attend the Ride 4 Lauren on July 30 in Bloomington and help distribute posters. We need riders and volunteers: Ride4Lauren
Tip 21: Make a video to show support to the Spierer family. We'll feature here on our blog. Show Support For Spierer Video Campaign
Tip 22: Check out the new findlauren.com redesign. More information about the changes here. Press release for the relaunch of FindLauren.com
Tip 23: Follow @NewsOnLaurenS for the latest updates.
Tip 24: Do you have an idea how you or others could help? Email it to us and we'll add it to the list: newsonlaurens@gmail.com.
Tip 25: Don't stop until we #FindLauren. Never give up hope.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Message from President Michael A. McRobbie
The entire Indiana University community is deeply concerned over the disappearance of Lauren Spierer. We will continue to cooperate in every way possible with the Bloomington police and others who are conducting an intensive investigation and search for Lauren. I have met with the parents, as has Provost Karen Hanson, and we both have pledged to them that IU will do all that we can to support them and to help find out what has happened to Lauren. The Dean of Students, Pete Goldsmith, will continue to serve as the university's main contact with the family but we have deployed other university resources to this effort, as well. University police, facilities staff, campus ROTC and many other university employees have participated in the effort to find Lauren. We will continue to assist the family and the authorities in any way that we can.
Michael A. McRobbie
This letter was published directly from http://protect.iu.edu/lauren
Michael A. McRobbie
This letter was published directly from http://protect.iu.edu/lauren
Posters, for printing.
We encourage you to right click, save photo and then print these out for distribution.
Where to put Lauren's poster:
Where to put Lauren's poster:
- community centers
- car windows
- business windows
- truck stops
- visitor centers
- grocery store boards
- hand out at your next local festival or fair
- distribute an a business expo
- family picnic
- take a day in the park and hand out
- ask your local pizza stores if they will put a poster on each pizza they deliver
- leave stacks at businesses
- distribute Ride For Lauren at your local Harley Davidson
- college campuses
- local shopping centers or malls
Monday, July 11, 2011
Letter to incoming students and parents from Indiana University Provost Karen Hanson
Dear Parents:
The following note has been sent via e-mail and distributed in hard copy to you and your new Indiana University students. We want you to be aware of this issue and the steps the community and the university are taking to find Lauren Spierer. We also want to underscore the importance of the information on personal safety that is part of New Student Orientation. The Dean of Students, Pete Goldsmith, will be meeting with all parents to convey information about safety resources on campus, as well as other information relevant to student life, and to answer any questions you might have.Sincerely,
Karen Hanson
Provost and Executive Vice President
*************
Dear New Students,
Welcome to the Bloomington campus for New Student Orientation. As the chief academic officer for IU Bloomington, I am delighted that you have chosen to pursue your higher education at Indiana University. You will find limitless opportunities here to learn, to grow, to develop your many talents. Orientation will help you begin to navigate the campus and help you get ready to make the most of all the resources IU has to offer you. Ask questions— now and when you start classes in August. You will find the faculty, staff, and your fellow students are responsive and happy to be helpful. We are very glad you're here, and we look forward to greeting you again at the start of the fall semester.
The pleasure and excitement we at IU always feel at the arrival of the new students is, however, shadowed this year by our special concern about Lauren Spierer, a junior at IU who has been missing since June 3. Our thoughts are with Lauren, her family, and friends. The university administration and many faculty, staff, and students, along with members of the Bloomington community, are doing all they can to help find Lauren and to assist fellow students, all of whom have been affected by her disappearance. The Bloomington Police Department is leading the investigation and the Indiana University Police Department is working very closely with them. IU's campus and the Bloomington community are, in general, very safe places.
Lauren's disappearance is a reminder, however, that even in a community as special—as friendly and hospitable‐‐ as Bloomington, crimes can and do occur.
While we cannot fully insulate ourselves from the reality of crime in our world, IU Bloomington offers many resources to help students stay healthy and safe. The university is committed to a range of proactive steps to ensure awareness of campus safety procedures and services. During New Student Orientation, you will learn more about IU's programs and the measures that can and should be taken to increase your level of personal safety. I urge you to take seriously these messages and to incorporate these recommendations
and behaviors into your daily life.
As incoming students, you are now members of the IU family. We care deeply about you and your well‐being.
Sincerely,
Karen Hanson
Provost and Executive Vice President
This letter was published directly from http://protect.iu.edu/lauren#provost
Ride For Lauren, July 30
Please spread the word! We are VERY grateful for Harley Davidson Bloomington for their continued support to #FindLauren. To print, click on this Twitpic link and choose Original Size: http://twitpic.com/5ovzdp
Why is the search to #FindLauren important to you?
We asked and hundreds of you told us why the search to #FindLauren was important to you.
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