I'm speechless...

2 weeks ago, while in the parent support group at The Dougy Center, I spoke of our financial difficulties due to my recent medical issues. I brought it up because it's affecting me in a big way, I had spent over $500 on my health issues and an additional $250 on replacing the alternator on my truck. All vital expenses for my family.

After group, S. walked up to me, dug into her pocket and handed me money. I was in shock and asked "are you sure", her response was "I've been there, I know what it's like, I have it now so take it, you need it". That $100 was like a million for me because it's what I needed to pay the power bill the next day.

Friday afternoon, my neighbor came over w/ a pot of homemade soup and corn muffins so that Tim didn't have to cook for us. I was incredibly sick and it was perfect. We appreciated it so much.

Tonight, because of my having shingles, I was unable to attend group at the Dougy Center. Tim took David and left with specific instructions to let the group know why I wasn't there and to tell S. THANK YOU again for me. As the groups ended, he walked in to get David and spoke to S, and noticed one of the fathers, A, in the group walk up to David and hand him an envelope for me. They just got home and handed it to me. I opened it to find $300 in it.  I am in tears. I will pay at least one bill off.

I've known these people for the better part of 2 years because we lost a partner, we share a story, we are part of a club that no married parent wants to join.

We all have our struggles, I did not say what I said hoping that they would "bail me out". I had no expectation of that at all.

I am simply overwhelmed by their generosity and only hope that I can come up with some way to thank them for what they have given David and I.

I am humbled.

They continue to give me Hope and Faith in the people that surround me.

Dougy Center Fundraiser 7/6/09

CUPCAKE JONES BENEFIT DAY

TOMORROW

JULY 7, 2009 from 10:00 AM TO 8:00 PM

AT CUPCAKE JONES

307 NW 10TH AVENUE, PORTLAND, OREGON 97209

Cupcake Jones, a locally owned bakery in the Pearl District, will be

generously donating 5% of their proceeds to The Dougy Center on

Tuesday, July 7, 2009. Help support The Dougy Center while indulging in delicious cupcakes!

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

· TELL YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY, COWORKERS, EMAIL LISTS

· ORGANIZE AN OUTING TO MEET YOUR FRIENDS

TOMORROW AT CUPCAKE JONES

· PLAN FOR UPCOMING EVENTS, BIRTHDAYS, WEDDINGS

ORDER AND PAY TOMORROW

· POST AN EVENT ON YOUR FACEBOOK PAGE INVITING YOUR FRIENDS

Cupcake Jones

307 NW 10th Avenue

Portland, OR 97209

503.222.4404

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The Dougy Center

The National Center for Grieving Children & Families

...because no child should grieve alone.

physical address 3909 SE 52 Avenue | Portland, Oregon 97206

mailing address P.O. Box 86852 | Portland, Oregon 97286

info 503.775.5683 | fax 503.777.3907

email help@dougy.org

web www.dougy.org

Wow ...

What a week it has been ...

Father's Day
Ed McMahon passing
Anniversary of my husbands passing
Dougy Center burning down
Farrah Fawcett passing
Michael Jackson passing
2 kids all week
1 dog all week

and a boat load of laundry to show for it all....

guess where I'll be hanging out!!

Contacts that may help Dougy Center get rebuilt faster!

Ok, here is a list that I will continue to add to. It's people I have contacted about helping w/ rebuilding the Dougy Center. YES, I am on a mission here. My son loves going, his friends there love going, the want to go to the main Center in September. If Extreme Makeover Home Edition can build a house in 7 days, WE CAN TOO! We don't need it until September, but sooner is better!!

Twitter ID's:

• @DrPhil (Dr. Phil)
• @Oprah (Oprah)
• @TheEllenShow (Ellen DeGeneres)
• @aplusk (Ashton Kutcher)
• @tyrashow (Tyra Banks show)
• @alroker

Show Forms:

• Rachael Ray
• Oprah
• Dr. Phil
• Ellen DeGeneres
• Tyra Banks
• AM Northwest (ABC Affiliate morning show)

Ok ... this is what I sent them, you can contact them too and write your own thing. I can't remember which one, but one had a 1500 character max, so that's what I sent to everyone ... write your own note, use whatever part of mine you wish, just enter your own information in the blanks.

My son and I lost my husband 7/21/06. In 5/08 we began attending the Dougy Center in Portland OR

"The Dougy Center (www.dougy.org) was the first center in the US to provide peer support groups for grieving children... Through our National Ctr we provide support and training locally, nationally and internationally to individuals and organizations seeking to assist children in grief. The Dougy Ctr is supported solely through private support from individuals, foundations and companies, and receives no state or federal funding. The Dougy Ctr does not charge a fee for its services."

On the 3 year ann of my husband’s death, the main Ctr was burned down, possible arson. We cried when we heard the news. Dougy is such a support, it allows him to grieve in his own way with kids that understand what he's through. He asked "Why did someone do this to us?"

On behalf of my family and the many other families around Portland that use this facility, please help us rebuild Dougy Center! I've been on a tremendous roller coaster ride for 3 years, I've been close to losing my house twice, I’ve accepted food from friends & neighbors, borrowed money, I'm in debt as I'm a single mom that has not worked since my husbands passing; yet I've been blessed with neighbors and friends to help me out. My hubby was a Youth Minister and he believed in doing the right thing & serving, I have that same belief. It is now my turn though, to stand up and ask for help on behalf of a place that truly deserves it.

Serious need of a connection!!

Please help me ...
and all those served by this invaluable resource.

As I mentioned yesterday, the Dougy Center was burned down by a suspected arsonist Sunday night and we NEED to get it rebuilt so the services can continue in place!



Back kitchen Entrance
Fire started in the Recycling/Garbage Bins

Memorial started by the local neighborhood

Windows from the offices

How can you help?

• I am looking for ANY DIRECT CONNECTION with ABC's Extreme Makeover Home Edition.If you know of anyone that know's of anyone ... PLEASE direct me to them, or them to me! They rebuild houses in a week, it would be great it the Dougy Center could be rebuilt by September!!
• Dougy Center is also accepting donations. They are a 501(c)(3) Organization and run solely on private contributions. While they have Insurance to replace the building, the "guts" of the program are in the resources that must be replaced; Arts & Crafts Supplies; Dolls; Toys; Books; Paper; Crayons; Paints; stuffed animals; pool tables; ping pong; mats, mats and more mats; and the list goes on. PLUS all the furniture, cooking supplies and office equipment are gone, absolutely everything! Please consider a donation, whatever amount you can spare will help. In Kind Donations will be accepted at a later date, there is no storage available now.
  

Why do I care so much?

• The Dougy Center has been an integral part of David's recovery for over a year. I truly feel that it's allowed him to share with others and get out his anger and frustrations in a safe environment. The services are offered free of charge to those that need them and no judgment is made on you, it truly is a fantastic resource.
• I saw David get angry and yell "Why did someone do this to us?" when we saw the News story. He wants to do what he can to raise money and help
• I heard a young girl last night say she "will be donating $50 of her money" to rebuilding. Other kids agreed.
  
• This resource not only helps families here, but Dougy Center has satellite programs throughout the World and I personally know of people attending in other locations that have the same feelings about this situation as I do. The program is so much more than "counseling" because it's not "counseling", it's peer to peer support.
  

Quick update ...

Sunday was an emotional rollercoaster.

• We spread some of Marks ashes at Church,
• Celebrated with the High School Youth Group on their successful mission trip to Denver Colorado.
  
• Remembered the life of Jim Nelson, a wonderful man of Christ.

I thought that was enough ....

Monday morning I woke to the news that the Dougy Center Grief Support building that we have gone to for over a year, was burned down. It appears to be arson.

It was as if someone poured salt in wounds, the pain was tremendous. Why someone would target a place that provides comfort and hope to so many that are already hurting is beyond comprehension.

I watched and read the reports, cried, felt ill. Perhaps my reaction is a bit too much, but I truly do see the difference the program has made in our lives since we started there. I've seen it help others in amazing ways. To see it all in ashes is unfathomable, yet it is.

We go there tonight, we will hold group in the Office next door. Their will be a lot to process. Alot of unknowns at this point. The one thing I do know is that the Dougy Center WILL move past this. It will take the help of many and pretty soon, money needs to roll in for the project. It's more than a building, there was so much inside to replace, and yet so much that can't be replaced. It seriously is like a family member is gone now.

I will post more about this, My family is planning something to do...