Ritchie Family Trust Fund
 

Libby Ritchie (team 393), Taylor and Ryan were involved in a serious car accident April 8th. They are the family of Scott Ritchie (team 234). The family is recovering well, Ryan and Libby have both been released from the hospital. Libby will be in a wheelchair / walker for several weeks but is able to get around. Taylor is continuing to recover at the hospital and should be released in the next few weeks.

The family also just suffered another serious set-back with a house fire on May 9th. No one was injured but there is major damage from the fire, smoke and water. They will be out of their home for 4 - 6 months.

Many people have asked how they can help.

To help the family with financial needs during their recovery and transition, a trust fund has been established with National City Bank in Greenfield, IN. The family will have access to any funds contributed to help with immediate needs. Financial contributions can be made to the bank at the following address:

National City Bank, Greenfield
Scott Ritchie for the Ritchie Fund Account
1503 N State Street
Greenfield, Indiana 46140


attn: Rita Moore, account liason.
(317) 467-8303 ext. 221


for questions, please contact Marci Cochran (team 447), Chris Fultz (team 234) , Andy Baker (team 45) or David Kelly (IndianaFIRST).

Ritchie Family Trust
 

I am posting this on behalf of MarciCochran447 (Team 447 Leader) at her request.

You have not lived until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.
- unknown

Re: Ritchie Family Trust
 

My heartfelt condolences go out to the Ritchie family. It is sad that so many horrible things have occurred to such a fantastic group of people in so short a time.

Hopefully they can recover from yet another setback as soon as possible.

I'm glad to see we can do something to help them.

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Re: Ritchie Family Trust Fund
 

My condolences to the Ritchies. It is just hard to hear about such great people having devastating events take place to their family. I couldn't imagine how they are feeling right now. I will see what our team can do to contribute to the fund. Hopefully we can raise enough money to make a difference in helping them cope with the costs that they will have to deal with after this is all said and done.

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Thanks for letting us know how we can help, Chris.

It amazes me that such horrible things can happen to such good people; my sincere condolences go out to the Ritchie family.

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I have a question.

I don't have checks, and I very very recently got a debit card and don't know how to transfer.

Could someone please give information, in some form, or direct me to an easier way to transfer than writing a check to an account?

I really want to help, but don't know how.

- Genia

Re: Ritchie Family Trust Fund
 

Just hearing of this made me cringe, after hearing everything about what's happened to the Ritchie family. It doesn't help when I realize that this has all happened since the Florida Regional (week 2, if that gives you a gauge). It really does make you realize just how quickly things can change.

Even though I can't help right now (the summer job hunt continues), I'll sure be thinking about them. <edit>I mentioned it on 1293's message board, too.</edit>

Re: Ritchie Family Trust Fund
 

I'd contact Chris Fultz, or call Rita (mentioned in Chris Fultz's post) and they probably can help you out in one way or another to get the funds transferred.

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Genia,

You should be able to get a cashiers check ("A check which cannot bounce because a customer pays the bank for the amount of the check upfront. The bank then writes a check to whomever the customer requests") from your bank ... usually they charge a small fee to process it - mine charges $1. From there, you should be able to mail it to the above address without any problems.

Re: Ritchie Family Trust Fund
 

This is one of the great assets of having an active online community here on this website. People will come forward to help out Scott, Libby, Ryan, and Taylor. I just know that fine people out there in FIRST will rise up and help a family who have spent many years teaching, mentoring, coaching and befriending countless people.

Tonight, about 40 people came by the Ritchie house to help clean up and sort through stuff. Fortunately, the bedrooms had only water and smoke damage. However, the roof was mostly gone. The garage, kitchen and dining room were totalled. Late last night, the fire started in the garage with electrical issues related to the circuit breakers. Flames got into the roof and debris began falling into the grarage. At about 2:45am, Libby awoke, thinking that someone was breaking into the house. She quickly realized what was happening and got out with her son. Scott was at the hospital with their daughter.

While this is a tragic time for the Ritchie family, it is also an event when people come together and help their friends. This is a family who has opened their house to students for many years. Now it is time for us to help them.

Andy B.

Re: Ritchie Family Trust Fund
 

I really feel sad when i hear about things like this. It is terrible for any one thing to happen to any family, let alone 2 things. 759 will be hoping for you.
I will be getting a new bank account soon (couple of days) and when its open, i'll send some money from a cheque.

Quick question : Can we post cash ? If so, will the bank take pounds and exchange them? (I would be able to do that pretty prompto.... )

Stephen

Re: Ritchie Family Trust Fund
 

I have contacted Chris Fultz about setting up a Paypal account which would probably make it easier for some of you send funds.

We all need to come together to help the Ritchie family. They have helped so many and now we will return the favor.

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I dont know what to say after these 2 incidents. I met Scott in Florida when he was here with his team and won the Woodie Flowers Award. This is not something that a FIRSTer would like to hear. I feel horrible. My deepest condolence to the family. I hope everything gets better for you guys.

... Chris thanks for the information.

Re: Ritchie Family Trust Fund
 

From Marci's PM to me "Yes, you can give in forms other than checks." I would contact Rita (in Chris' post) and see the best way to get the money to the bank.

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

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

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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-

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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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-

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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The other way you can do it is a money order (which is what I plan on using) which from what I read is similar to a cashier's check.

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has there been a paypal account set up?

if so, i would like to put the paypal link on my site and my teams site, so more people can donate

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I'll work on this with the bank and see what we can do.

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Here is a link to the U.S. Post Office for information about money orders. All you have to do is show up at your local post office with the amount of cash you want to send, plus about a dollar for the fee. You can also use a debit card or traveler's check.

For those outside the U.S. who may want to help--the USPS has international money orders; you might want to find out if your country's post office sells something similar.

One advantage of using a cashier's check over using a money order is that the cashier's check has the bank's name on it, not your name, so you can send a gift anonymously, if you wish. But the fee for a cashier's check will vary depending upon the bank. I think they are usually more expensive than a money order.

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I'm really sorry to hear about what happened, that is a terrible tragedy that no one should have to suffer through. My robotics team has a booth at our school's carnival this weekend, and I proposed the idea of setting up a donation box. I am looking for more pictures of the family to make a sort of collage, and any information that would help people to understand just how great this family is. If you have anything that would be of use, please pm/email me!

Thank you very much!

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That's what I'm hoping for too.

I'll wait a few more days, then I guess I could endure the pen-check-envelope-stamp route if nothing is posted. lol

Sounds like the epitome of lazy.....but I like to think of it as streamlining my busy life.

Lisa T