Every day our members make a difference in the lives of Colorado children. This section is dedicated to our members - the men and women who everyday have the chance to change a life and who seize the opportunity to do so.

You are the heroes who often go unrecognized. CASRO would like to tell your stories. Please submit to us your own stories or the stories of your fellow members when they go above and beyond to Make a Difference. Submit Your Story

CASRO dedicated the 2008 Rocky Mountain Safe School Conference to the staff at the Windsor Windmill Child Enrichment Canter for their quick action that saved their students from the May 22, 2008 tornado. The membership raised over $1,200 to assist in the rebuilding efforts. CASRO also dedicated the third "Tree of Peace" to the Windmill Child Enrichment Center as a reminder of the concern that Police Officers across the state felt when hearing the news that the day care had been hit on May 22nd, 2008 the day of the Tornado.   Weather Channel story of Tornado hitting Windsor Day Care.

In the wake of violence that has touched schools across the country. CASRO Past President Deputy Rebecca Johnson and Deputy Wanda wanted to do something nice for their students at Summit Middle and High Schools.

  They wanted to engage their students in a project that was for the students today, but would be around for all students in the years to come… They were hoping their students could take pride in their schools and be dedicated to promoting peaceful learning environments… and they were confident the donations from many caring local business - and a couple of trees would do just that!

  Thus was born the “Violence Free Tree” program, and their “Trees of Peace”…

 According to SRO Johnson, “These trees will serve as a subtle daily reminder as the students and visitors to our schools walk past them each day, that our schools are places of education and peace… and not violence. These trees are for them… and we hope they will enjoy their trees, take pride in caring for them, and know without a doubt we are all here to protect them, encourage them, support them and guide them on their journeys into adulthood.”

   As well, SRO’s Johnson and Wilkerson hope these trees will serve as a sign of commonality between schools across the State… kind of a message that we are all working towards the same goals..

   On Monday October 15, 2007, the first “Tree of Peace” – A clump of Colorado Quaking Aspen’s was planted at Summit Middle School near the front entrance. The second “Tree of Peace” – A Canada Red Choke Cherry was planted outside Summit High School.

 An identical silver embossed plaque (with exception to school name, type of tree and date planted) will be set in a granite boulder at each “Tree of Peace” site and reads:

 “Tree of Peace” 

“This tree serves as a daily reminder that together we will remain committed to promoting and providing a safe and peaceful learning environment for the community of Summit Middle School. Planted October 15th, 2007.

     Within a few years SRO Johnson hopes that SRO's across the state will dedicate trees to any Middle School or High School that would like their own “Tree Of Peace”.

   For additional information on the “Violence Free Tree” project,  to order your Violence Free Tree plaque or to register your “Tree Of Peace” tree with the project, please contact Deputy Johnson of the Summit County Sheriff’s Office.