GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – A penchant for quietly showing appreciation for Law Enforcement Officers (LEO’s) has grown into a passion for local woman, Tiffany Tanabe.

Hesitant for the spotlight to fall on her, wife and mother of two, Tanabe says she has always taken advantage of opportunities to show her and her family’s support for LEO’s through little acts of kindness – paying for a coffee when she notices an officer behind her in line, dropping “thank you” cards made by her children, nieces and nephews to local offices, etc. Recently, Tanabe has taken it to a new level with the organization of “Giving Back to the Badge – Yuba Sutter.”

With cries to “defund the police” and law enforcement agencies under scrutiny nationwide, Tanabe felt that support for departments was needed now more than ever.  She says, “Right now, there’s not much appreciation being shown and unfortunately too many are staying silent and not overpowering the… the hate that is being given to them (law enforcement officers).”

Inspired by a deep love for her family, and her nephew, whose father is in law enforcement, Tanabe says, “knowing… hearing and feeling the things they [family] go through,” has pushed her to raise more awareness and support for the ones in blue. 

Since Tanabe started “Giving Back to the Badge – Sutter County” on June 13^th, she has received overwhelming community support with private donors and businesses wanting to be a part of her mission. She has set up an Amazon Wishlist for “Giving Back to the Badge- Sutter County” asking for items like tennis balls for K-9 officers and assorted snack items, has reached out to local businesses like Starbucks, Roundtable, Bang energy drinks and Sport Clips Haircuts for gift cards or actual meal/drink donations, and has started a Venmo account to help create goodie bags and buy lunches for the departments.

Although COVID19 has put a damper on some of her campaigning, Sutter County Sheriff’s Office and the Yuba City Police Department have both reaped the benefits of Tanabe’s hard work. She simply takes it upon herself to contact local businesses via phone or email and ask if they’d like to help in anyway, helping with transportation and delivery of goods if necessary. Why just Sutter County when Tanabe is from Gridley and lives in the area now?  She also considers Yuba City home (she grew up there too) and has had better luck with those local businesses (not having a nonprofit status has been a hurdle in Butte County). Tanabe also points out that “Giving Back to the Badge – Butte County LEO’s,” which she modeled her organization efforts after, does amazing work and has Butte County covered.

Of course, there has been negative comments but Tanabe coolly says, “It’s time for those that are silent…to let them (LEO’s) know that there are people who will stand behind them and show their appreciation, no matter what others are saying.”

To help, please visit her Facebook page, Amazon Wishlist or Venmo account all under “Giving Back to the Badge – Sutter County.”