FIRST Tragedy - Help from FIRST community requested

[HarveyAce]

This is very upsetting indeed. We from 3329 will keep the team and the family in our prayers, as will the rest of the FIRST community. Good luck and godspeed to the FLL Smarticle Robo Builders at the Open!

[Alex2614]

Thanks guys. Pass the word along if you can! It would mean a lot to these kids.

Akash, small world, isn't it? We formed right after 859 folded.

[AllThatJazzzz]

Thanks everyone, please help us pass the word along about the Robo Builders! I know the FIRST community can do wonderful things, and it would be such a remarkable accomplishment for this team to continue on to worlds. I know we would all hate for this to stop them up short.

FLL means so much to our community, and particularly to the families involved with Smarticle Robo Builders and the Hollingers. Here's one of those infamous Dean Kamen opportunities to make a difference--please help us out!

[JLenhart]

We appreciate the support we have received.
Yes, this is a real deal.

[karebear95]

First of all, I'd like to thank everyone who has already donated money to support the Smarticle Robo Builders--- You have no idea how much this means to MARS and our LEGO team!

Our team strives to help and support every single one of our LEGO teams in our thriving local FLL program, covering many of the team's registration costs, and mentoring these teams throughout their build season. We even have provided them with a scrimmage before the state tournament, to give them a feel for the atmosphere and how things will operate. We feel that FLL is a valuable program that teaches these youth the many necessary life lessons while also teaching STEM-based learning in a wicked-awesome method.

It's inspiring, at least for me, to see how much FIRST has affected the youth that we mentor. As stated in the original posting, LEGO Robotics was a common topic at Mr.Hollinger's funeral. Our local LEGO teams have pitched in to help the Smarticle Robo Builders, but it seems that this is not enough. It kills the MARS team to see one of their own be faced with the sheer reality that Mr.Hollinger's dream could be crushed due to the lack of funding.

We're reaching out to you, the FIRST community, to help pitch in, and keep Mr.Hollinger's dream alive. Even if all you have to donate is a dollar, anything at this point is appreciated.

Donations can be made through Paypal at this email address:
SmarticleRoboBuildersToUSOpen@gmail.com

OR by check to:

Alex Stout
124 Scenery Drive
Morgantown, WV 26505.

Thanks a bunch. [^_^]

Kari DeMicco
Mountaineer Area Robotics 2614
www.marsfirst.org
"We came to be inspired. We stayed because we are. We will become the inspiration."