Ep38: They Are Called to Bring Them All Home - Texas EquuSearch

You'll hear a Mark Twain quote in this episode. "The two best days are the one we are born and the one where we figure out why." That quote captures this episode with Texas EquuSearch's team as they tell their stories, how they found this organization, and how honored they are to find their why. This is the first half of the interview with Tammy Phillips, Director – Business Operations; Angelina Farris,  Deputy Director; Ken Sandor, Field Operations Manager; Mary Allbright, Research Analyst and family Liaison; and Mark Edwards, Field Operations Manager. This is part of the MrBallen Foundation series, introducing you to non-profits and volunteer opportunities nationwide.  About TXEQ Texas EquuSearch is a 501(c)3 nonprofit volunteer search and recovery organization.  Texas EquuSearch never charges a family or law enforcement entity for their services. Headquartered near Houston, Texas, resources have evolved far beyond the original horse-mounted searches. Today, searches include the use of ground searchers, side scan sonar, ground penetrating radar, boats, aircrafts, drones, and ATVs. Many law enforcement agencies across the United States call on the resources of the organization’s highly skilled searchers to assist in their lost, missing or murder victim cases. Throughout the years, Tim Miller and the organization have received numerous awards from law enforcement agencies and grateful community groups, recognition from media partners, and countless thank you’s from families of missing loved ones. Texas EquuSearch has assisted in thousands of cases throughout the US and abroad giving some form of resolution to distraught families as well as closure to many criminal cases. There is no doubt that Executive Director, Tim Miller and his team lend credence to the age-old saying… “Volunteers are not unpaid because they are worthless. They are unpaid because they are PRICELESS!”. How TXEQ Started “Don’t thank me, thank Laura.” – Tim Miller Many great and meaningful things have been born from adversity. In some cases, the response and resiliency to that adversity has resulted in monumental benefits to humanity. Such can be said of Texas EquuSearch after the tragic and senseless kidnapping and murder of 16-year-old Laura Miller in 1984. Laura’s father, Tim Miller, knows all too well the heartbreak and trauma that other families feel when a loved one goes missing. In August of 2000, Tim Miller founded and became the Executive Director of Texas EquuSearch which began as a horse-mounted search and recovery team. Through the years, like-minded volunteers have given their own time, talents, resources, and dedication to help recover and return lost and missing loved ones to their families.