Lowmans receive Cheney/EWU SCOPE honors

Claudia and Rex Lowman were named the 2014 Volunteers of the Year for the EWU/Cheney Sheriff's Community Oriented Policy Effort (SCOPE) station.

The Lowmans have been volunteering at the EWU/Cheney station for nine years. Claudia Lowman has held positions at the station over the years such as secretary, vice president and president. She became involved with the station after meeting some SCOPE volunteers.

"After helping out that first time, it gave me such a good feeling that I wanted to continue," Claudia Lowman said.

Rex Lowman, who spent 22 years as a member the U.S. Coast Guard and 27 as a Merchant Marine, joined SCOPE shortly after his wife. Neither of them have previous law enforcement training. Claudia Lowman said they received training from the Spokane County Sheriff's Office.

Like many SCOPE volunteers, the Lowmans are active in the Operation Family Identification (OFID) program, which provides parents with photographs and fingerprints of their children in case they are missing. They also help with traffic control at various local events, including EWU football games, graduation and the powwow. They perform vacation home checks for residents. The Lowmans also drive the patrol car in the Cheney Rodeo parade and other community events.

"We believe in giving back to the community," Claudia Lowman said. "That's why we are here."

Dennis Gard, EWU/Cheney SCOPE president was excited for the Lowmans receiving the award.

Although the Lowmans moved to Sprague, Wash. they continue to volunteer at the station. They both plan to continue being involved with SCOPE.

Claudia Lowman said the station is thinking of ways to raise money for the Sprague rest area. The station currently has an annual fundraiser where they collect donations from local businesses for the rest stop along Interstate 90.

"We're also trying to find ways to bring in more volunteers," Claudia Lowman said. "We're small in numbers but we're great in spirit."

Al Stover can be reached at [email protected].