Meet Lt. Phil Cooper
Our Promise Leaders United, California Highway Patrol

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Q & A: 

Name, state department or agency.

Phil Cooper, California Highway Patrol

What do you enjoy most about working on the OP campaign? 

Building new friendships with the other [Leaders United Participants] involved in this year’s campaign. Also, becoming more familiar with local non-profits/charities and the help they provide.

How long have you been involved in or volunteered with the campaign?

 This is my 1st year becoming involved in the campaign

What inspires you to give through the campaign?

The many benefits which come from giving to non-profits/charities and the good that comes from those organizations.

What nonprofits do you donate time or funds to, and why?

Project Hero/Ride2Recovery – The organization is a groundbreaking national non-profit organization dedicated to helping Veterans and First Responders affected by PTSD, TBI and injury achieve rehabilitation, recovery, and resilience in their daily lives and increasing awareness to combat the national mental health emergency posed by PTSD and TBI.  Their programs including Ride 2 Recovery events and Project Hero HUB Community Centers produce positive outcomes at lower costs and reduce drug-based therapies.  The organization also builds and provides adaptive bikes to physically-challenged and injured Veterans and First Responders and founded the Project Hero Institute for Mental Health to support clinical research programs.  Veterans ride for free in Project Hero Challenge events and they have become so popular the organization established a limit of 200 participants per event, attesting to the power of Project Hero and its programs.  In addition to the popular Challenge events, Project Hero also hosts more than a dozen single-day Honor Rides in major markets throughout the nation inviting communities to ride with America’s Finest and special events including the innovative Project Hero Women’s Initiative and Project Hero Mountain Bike Experience in Las Vegas.   The organization also hosts community-based HUB programs inviting Veterans and First Responders to connect and ride together in more than 45 cities throughout the US.

What has been your favorite part of this experience so far? 

Working with my co-Leaders United and providing a personal experience to help those Agencies/Departments understand how they can directly impact their co-workers with the Campaign.

 What are you looking forward to gain as part of Leaders United? 

A new/different perspective of leadership from the team here at Our Promise and those Agencies/Departments I end of interacting with.

What skills or knowledge have you gained while a part of this program and how do you think it will apply to your professional or personal life? 

 Learning new/different leadership and communication skills is always of great importance both professionally and personally.  

What advice can you give to your fellow state employees who want to get involved? 

Definitely get involved.  Start by finding your “personal experience” and use that to give to a non-profit/charity.  Then take that passion and become involved by being a key-connector, Agency/Department Chair, or Leader United.  Ultimately be that person who helps your organization by explaining how giving to non-profits can truly help those in need.