Many Volunteers Turn Out to Help Find Somer, Reward Offered

ORANGE PARK, FL -- Police have started turning away volunteers at the Orange Park Athletic Association because there have been so many wanting to help find 7-year-old Somer Thompson, who disappeared on her way home from school Monday afternoon.

Also on Wednesday, the Justice Coalition is offering a reward for any information that leads to finding Somer. The group will announce the specific amount of the reward later this afternoon.

The award is funded by Allied Veterans of the World Inc., which is dedicated to helping VA volunteers and medical professionals.

Today, 500 people from NAS Jacksonville joined various law enforcement agencies in the area near Gano and Debarry avenues, where Somer was last seen, to assist in the search.

The volunteers who have been working today are running out of flyers and asking that anyone who can copy more bring them to the athletic association or go directly to the neighborhood. Those who want to be a part of the search effort are asked to come back tomorrow.

This morning at a news conference Diena Thompson called her daughter an energetic, sweet girl who would give anyone a hug, then pleaded for the safe return of the first-grader who has been missing since Monday afternoon.

The distraught mother alternated between crying and composure as she described to reporters how she got her daughter dressed and sent her to school Monday morning.

She put her hair in a ponytail with a red bow, Thompson said, and told her to try to make it through the day when Somer complained of not feeling well. Thompson said she could not remember if she told her daughter she loved her.

She described her outfit, including gray and blue socks, a purple Hannah Montana backpack with hearts and a skull on it, and rainbow shoes. The 7-year-old disappeared while walking home from Grove Park Elementary School. She was last seen wearing a maroon sweatsuit with a pink stripe and a black longsleeved T-shirt.

Gov. Charlie Crist is expected to speak today at the athletic association headquarters during a 4 p.m. police news conference.

Clay County Sheriff Rick Beseler said at the morning news conference that police found a car linked to a possible attempted abduction mentioned earlier in the week. Police have found the car and the individuals, but do not think they are linked to Somer's disappearance.

Beseler did not identify the individuals or make any arrests, calling the situation a "non-criminal" case. He said he did not want the public to continue to search for the car.

Police canvassed the neighborhood last night near West Gano and Debarry avenues and will continue into the evening, said Beseler.

This morning, residents said police knocked on their doors around 10 last night, looking through their homes, trash cans, cars and boats.

Thompson appeared on all three network morning shows today.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH HER "TODAY SHOW" INTERVIEW

The parking lot at Orange Park's Town Hall was filled with trucks, as crews prepare for the interviews inside council chambers.

Somer's mother gathered with friends for a candlelight vigil Tuesday night. Her father who lives in North Carolina also pleaded for her safe return. Another vigil is planned for tonight across from Somer's home on Horton Street. Participants are advised to bring their own candles.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON THE SEARCH FOR SOMER.

Anyone with information on Somer is asked to call 911, the CCSO non-emergency line at (904) 264-6512, 1-877-227-6911 or 1-866-845-TIPS. You can also click here to send an email to cart@claysheriff.com.

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