Hello and Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! We hope you all have a relaxing and safe holiday. We will soon be enjoying a feast at our house. Brad arrived home from college yesterday and we are looking forward to a few days together! My mother will be coming to our house, after preparing most of the feast at her house. Tomorrow, most of Rick's family will be here for the day to visit. Our house has certainly changed since the last time they visited!
We really need to give big thanks this year to all of the people who have helped us. As I've mentioned before, there have been fundraisers and lots of work done to our home. At the risk of leaving someone out, I'd like to acknowledge the help of a few angels:
Cindy and Tim Johnson, our next door neighbors, mowed our lawn until Brad was finished with school and could do it. They continue to offer to help with any lawn or house maintenance we may need. They also provided some delicious meals for us!
Mike Rice established this website and taught us how to use it.
The D'Alberto and Fischer families were instrumental in the spinal cord ribbon sales, the yard sale, the golf fundraiser, and the car wash.
The Paquette/Ausanio family donated Yankee Tickets for a fundraiser which was VERY popular with people all around the county.
The Sipperley and Ehmann families put together the silent auction which was not only a huge financial help, but also a tremendous emotional help--we loved being able to see so many friends in one place!
The Ehmann family has been an ongoing source of support and information as we navigate these new waters.
MaryAlice Schleuderer, who came to our rescue with her invaluable nursing services when we really needed them!
Dana and Phil Gisiano, of Gisiano's Restaurant in Glasco, for cooking not only for our family, but also for several fundraisers.
Maria Finger was instrumental in alerting county employees to Rick's situation and making fundraiser information available across the county.
Karla Wainwright, Kathleen Grable, and Lena Serrano organized the Casual Day fundraiser throughout the county offices.
Rich Gillette came out of nowhere and organized all the projects which needed to occur in our home and yard. Thanks to his contacts in the community, and his perseverence, he made all of these necessary events happen for us:
Dave Durkin from Pacama Bluestone donated beautiful big pieces of bluestone in order to widen our sidewalk to accommodate the width of the wheelchair.
Mark Giamichele installed the bluestone (in the heat of late August!), and also planted beautiful flowers in the area. I promise to do my best to keep those flowers going from year to year!
Mr. Beesmer was also slaving away in the heat of late August to build our beautiful ramp.
Gary Arold from Arold paving sent a crew to remove what we lovingly have been calling our speed bump at the end of our driveway. It was proving to be very difficult for most cars to get over safely and we worried that an accessible van, with the lowered floor and other modifications, would not be able to get into our driveway.
Ryan Bradley has coordinated all of the construction labor involved with our projects and has very kindly offered to come back for anything we may realize we need help with in the future.
Johann and John Huelatt from the Woodcrest Bruderhof have made arrangements to cover the costs of labor for Ryan Bradley's crew.
Jimmy McGowan from McGowan masonry sent a crew to raise our back patio several inches in order to accommodate the ramp and a smooth entry into the house.
Bill and Patty Stote from Anaconda Sports have covered the cost of bathroom materials from Lowe's--tile, hardy board, etc......I'm not even sure of the names of all the items.
Todd and Brad Jordan from Herzogs have been very generous with regard to supplies for the ramp as well as fixtures for the bathroom.
Jim Noble and his brother have worked on the plumbing for our new bathroom.....our original pipes and fixtures were circa 1929, so we've certainly modernized quite a bit!
Terry McWeeney updated the electrical wiring, switches, etc. needed for our new bathroom.
A group of retired teachers from JWB have been providing at least one meal a week for us for weeks--Pat Koyon, Pat Stegmann, Mary Ann Avallone, Ruth Pettinichi, Elsie Kemble, Joanne Donnaruma. Bruce Abrams, Kathy and Don Kachmor, Karen Aune, Jan Regan, and Kathy Sheehan.
Craig Paquette has offered to repair/install garage door openers so that our winter weather transportation will be smoother.
The Cohen family allowed Rick and his driving instructor to try out their van in order to see if its features would work for Rick.
My colleagues from the Kingston City Schools and Rick's colleagues from Ulster County have been so helpful and supportive.
And, most importantly, our family--Dana and Brad continue to provide us with unending reasons to be proud of them. My mother is always there to drive/cook/run errands/or do whatever is needed. Rick's family will be coming to visit tomorrow, and they have been keeping in regular contact and offering their help from Pennsylvania.
I apologize to anyone I've left out. Please know that you are all constantly in our prayers. To anyone who has cooked for us, made a donation, said a prayer, or sent a positive thought our way--we are truly THANKFUL. We will never be able to pay you all back, but please be assured, we will look for every opportunity to pay it forward.
Lyn
