Re: Ritchie Family Trust
 

Marci sent me these via a private message last night. I'll post them here to maybe answer some questions before they're posted.

Re: Ritchie Family Trust Fund
 

Oh my god. I'll see what I can do with donations, I'll try to get something up on our website too.

Re: Ritchie Family Trust Fund
 

My deepest prayers and thoughts to the Ritchie family. after the 2 incidents that happened i feel horrible. i will definetly times a million donate money to their trust fund.

How should i pay because i dont have a checking account or debit card accounts. Im going to the indy 500 and seeing Kyle there so should i just give him my money then? or like

-Court-

Re: Ritchie Family Trust Fund
 

My deepest condolences to the Ritchie family. I met Libby at IRI last year and was amazed at her talents. Being shocked at the most recent news of thier house I offer my hopes and prayers to her and her family in their time of need.

Re: Ritchie Family Trust Fund
 

Learning about such a tragedy leaves me nearly speachless, except to say that I am so proud to be apart of the FIRST community, a community that will reach out to support each other in times of need in anyway they can.

Meeting Libby last year at Palmetto and seeing all that she (as well as her husband) does from a distance through these forums has left an impression on me of an incredibly passionate and selfless person. It is now our turn to give of ourselves to a family that has given so much of themselves for FIRST. The Ritchie's will be in my prayers daily that they will be able to get through such tough times.

Re: Ritchie Family Trust Fund
 

Once again, my deepest condolances go out to the entire Ritchie family. This is a very sad time for them and, kudos to Chris, 269 will be getting together some things to send down to them.
They will all be in my prayers.

Re: Ritchie Family Trust Fund
 

I do have to say this is what a FIRST family is all about, iv only been part of the family for a year now and I have to say thanks to all that has posted and helped the Ritchie family. As I was reading this post I was remembered of when Dean was talking about what FIRST really was all about, and this is it helping others. Helping the Ritchie family and supporting them truly shows FIRST and how strong this family of teams is. Its a community of people from all around the world and the beautiful thing is even if they have never meet them they care and are willing to help.

This is a very big event for both teams 234 and 393, and I know we can all get through it together. I hope the Ritchie’s the best of luck and Im going to try my best to help.

Much love and hope.

Re: Ritchie Family Trust Fund
 

I will be bring it up at the next meeting and see if 204 can do anything to help

Re: Ritchie Family Trust Fund
 

at the WildStang awards night (which is this up coming monday) WildStang members and their parents/relatives and whoever can, can choose to give a dollar or how ever much they wish to. it will be a great way to get money for the trust fund. :)

-Court-

Re: Ritchie Family Trust Fund
 

I will bring this notice up to my team and hopefully we together can put some money together. This is a very hard year for this family. They are an incredible family.

Re: Ritchie Family Trust Fund
 

Although I know most of 1089 doesn't know who the Ritchie's are, I do. They are a WONDERFUL family, and my deepest condolences go out to them. I'm going to speak to my team and see what we can do to help out.

Re: Ritchie Family Trust Fund
 

I know it's probably been said already, but while reading this thread, I was overwhelmed by the number of people who immediately rose up to help out. It just shows how great FIRSTers really are; that they would be willing to assist people they don't even know. I'm really impressed. And I'll talk to my team at our meeting this week and see what we can do as well.

Re: Ritchie Family Trust Fund
 

My condolences to the Ritchies, as others have said, they are an amazing family. I've posted the fund message on both my own website and our team's, I'll see what the team can do to pitch in.

Re: Ritchie Family Trust Fund
 

I just arrived home from a Indianapolis. Much of the details of what happened have already been posted but here is an update for everyone.
Libby is ok, she hurt her foot some more by running out of the house, but she is fine, they did more x-rays but she seems to be okay, she is in good spirits and has a very pretty bright pink cast on that is ooooh so pretty:)
Ryan is doing good, obviously the whole situation has been very upsetting for him, but he is in good spirits as well and was being a goof ball at the hospital when i was there today.
Scott was a beacon of light last night at the house, everyone worked hard and just got the job done, Scott was in the house cracking jokes and his spirits seemed very high considering what has happened.
Taylor is still in the hospital, there has been progress and set backs day by day, she is by all means much better then she was a few weeks ago but she is still sick, but she is being very strong throughout all of this and is getting better day by day.

The family was blown away by the support they have received, the help of everyone last night and the prayers and thoughts of everyone. They have the sign from atlanta that everyone signed in Taylors hotel room right at the foot of the bed under the TV.
I was so amazed by everything last night, the kids from 234 and 393 showed up after getting out of class and worked right beside everyone shoveling out ash, pulling up carpet, and moving furniture. We were all covered in sweat, ash, and dirt, but we all kept a positive attitude and there was lots of robot talk going on. Members of 45, 461, 1018, IndianaFIRST and other places worked along side friends, and family of the Ritchies, and we got the job done. Much faster then everyone expected.
Today the slow task of inventorying everything before it went into the dumpster and packing up things and gutting the rest of the house continued. Its a long road but things are getting done.

I know that the family appreciates all that we are doing, and I know that the Ritchie family is still planning on making it to IRI and will thank everyone in person. But its a long hard road that they walk down, but our support definately makes their travels easier.

I encourage everyone to donate to the fund, because they dont have much of anything right now, they were going shopping for simple things like clothes today because all of them have to be cleaned and laundered before they can wear them again...but our support will help them get through this.

And on a personal note, it was absolutely inspiring to see everyone working together to get the job done. Today and yesterday, nobody complained about anything, nobody whined, everybody worked as hard as they could and worked together and we got the job done. It was inspiring to see that FIRST spirit of helping out, carry over and see everyone work together. And it was fun having a picnic with the likes of Baker, Morrison, Stu Bloom, Fultz, and Kelly. Thank you everyone who helped, you guys rock!

Re: Ritchie Family Trust Fund
 

Many of you know that Scott and Libby Ritchie have been main parts in organizing the IRI over the last 3 years, ever since it was moved to Indianapolis. Chris Fultz and I have had the pleasure of working with them as it has become a fun and well-anticipated event.

This year, I propose that each team attending the IRI do something special for the Ritchies. We TechnoKats are already brainstorming about what we will do. We want to challenge all attending teams to come up with something unique to say "thank you" and "we love you" to the Ritchie family. We've all got over 2 months to put something together. Make an impact!

Andy B.