Rapid Relief Team Reflects on Joining National Police Week 2025
Serving Those Who Serve: RRT Offers 6,300 Meals, 26,000 Waters, and Profound Gratitude
WASHINGTON, June 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As the quiet solemnity of candlelight vigils fades and the echo of salutes subsides, the Rapid Relief Team (RRT), the charitable arm of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, looks back on National Police Week 2025 with deep gratitude and humility. Serving side by side with thousands of attendees and supporters in the heart of the nation's capital, RRT was honored to stand with the law enforcement community and the families of fallen officers during a week of tribute, remembrance, and resilience.
National Police Week, hosted annually in Washington, D.C., brings together officers, survivors, and supporters from across the United States and beyond. Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, the week is anchored around May 15—Peace Officers Memorial Day—and includes a series of powerful commemorations. From the Candlelight Vigil to the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service, the events offer space for both public honor and private healing.
For the RRT, supporting this week of national reflection was more than a logistical effort—it was a privilege and a learning experience. Mobilizing volunteers from across nine U.S. states and Canadian provinces, the RRT team served over 6,300 meals, donated 26,000 bottles of water, and distributed more than 200 Comfort Snack Packs. Each interaction was a moment of connection with officers, survivors, and supporters—people whose courage, compassion, and commitment embody the very best of community service.
One of RRT's most indelible roles during the week was welcoming children and families with Cookie the Kookaburra, RRT's cheerful mascot, who brought smiles and light-hearted moments to more than 300 kids. These small acts of joy, in the midst of somber memorials, reflect RRT's mission to provide hope and relief wherever it's needed most.
"This week was not just about what we gave—it was about what we received," said Wes Macdonald, RRT Team Leader. "Supporting first responders is a core pillar of the Rapid Relief Team's mission, and we are deeply thankful for the opportunity to show our appreciation to the law enforcement community and the families of fallen officers who have endured so much. We came to serve, but we leave inspired."
RRT has long made it a priority to support emergency services personnel, including the mental health and wellness challenges that communities so familiar with loss and grief often face. National Police Week reaffirmed that commitment. As RRT continues its mission across the globe, moments like these strengthen the bonds between communities and those who protect them.
About Rapid Relief Team (RRT): RRT is a global network of over 14,500 volunteers who assist emergency services during disasters and crises by providing meals and other forms of support. Established in 2013 by the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (PBCC), RRT is dedicated to showing kindness through its actions, embodying the PBCC values of care, compassion, and community support in times of need. For more information, visit RRT's website.
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SOURCE Rapid Relief Team