DALLAS – Every day parents place their trust in their child’s teacher to provide the education needed. Over the last few years, with the unthinkable national tragedies, teachers have taken on another role, that of a first responder. Kaitlin Roig-DeBellis, first grade Sandy Hook Elementary School teacher from Newtown, Connecticut knows that role all too well.   On December 14, 2012, Kaitlin was faced with a life or death decision that ultimately saved her student’s lives.
The moment she sensed the danger, she immediately squeezed her 15 frightened students in a 3-foot square bathroom. For 45 minutes they hovered in the dark while she comforted their fear. Kaitlin stated in a recent interview that she thought they were going to die so she told her students she loved them because she wanted those words to be the last the children heard.  Had it not been for her quick thinking, they might have been the last words.
On Thursday, March 27 CONTACT will honor Kaitlin with the 18th Annual Spirit of CONTACT Award at the Hilton Anatole at 11:30 a.m. In addition to her bravery, CONTACT will recognize and honor our community first responders, including Dallas Police Chief David Brown and the Police Department, Dallas Fire Chief Louie Bright, the Fire and Rescue, and Dallas 911 Dispatchers who help us save lives every day
This annual luncheon is CONTACT’s largest fundraiser of the year. “The Spirit of CONTACT event is a tremendous benefit to CONTACT. It serves not only as a fundraiser, but also as a chance for us to interact with and thank the people who dedicate their time and money to helping us serve the Dallas community,” said Benaye Rogers, President of CONTACT.
CONTACT answers nearly 40,000 calls per year, with 1,500 of these being suicide interventions. Additionally, the agency makes more than 15,000 referrals to other DFW metroplex resources and educates more than 15,000 teens, teachers, counselors and parents about depression, suicide, bullying and dating violence.
For more information about the Spirit of CONTACT Luncheon please contact Alexandra Sizemore at 972.233.0866 or asizemore@contactcrisisline.org
