Ritchie Family Trust Fund

[rufu5]

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

Originally Posted by Marci Cochran

On Friday, April 8, Libby Ritchie (Team 393 Leader) and her two children Ryan and Taylor were involved in a serious auto accident. The Ritchie's were wearing their seatbelts. However, they all suffered injuries. Ryan was released from Methodist Hospital the next day with minor injuries. Libby had several injuries and two surgeries, but has since been released from the hospital. Taylor received numerous injuries and spent a little more than three weeks in the Pediatric Critical Care Unit of Methodist Hospital. She remains hospitalized at Methodist Hospital in the Pediatric Unit.

Last night, the family suffered further through a devastating housefire to their Fountaintown home. Scott Ritchie (Team 234 Leader), husband of Libby and father of Talyor and Ryan, was at Methodist Hospital at the time with Taylor. Libby was at home with Ryan at the time of the fire. Despite her injuries, Libby and Ryan were able to escape the home.

This family has suffered immensely, more than any family should. I had already set up a trust at National City Bank in Greenfield to help the family cope with the devastating medical bills from the auto accident. This fire, which apparently started in the garage, has compounded their problems.

A trust has been set up at National City Bank of Greenfield Indiana. All contributions are welcome and can be sent to 1503 N State St, Greenfield, 46140. Checks should be made payable to Scott Ritchie for the Ritchie Family Fund.

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

[Chris Fultz]

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).

[David Kelly]

The family is going to really need lots of prayers and support from everybody, which I already know the FIRST community has done so much for them already. Like Chris said, money is the biggest thing that they are going to need now is money so if you are able, please contribute some to the trust fund.

[wilshire]

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.

[Katie Reynolds]

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.

[Eugenia Gabrielov]

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

[Billfred]

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>

[Brandon Martus]

Originally Posted by Eugenia Gabrielov

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.

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.

[Katie Reynolds]

Originally Posted by Eugenia Gabrielov

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

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.

[shyra1353]

Originally Posted by Eugenia Gabrielov

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

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.

[rufu5]

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

[David Kelly]

Originally Posted by rufu5

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

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

[MrsT]

Originally Posted by rufu5

has there been a paypal account set up?

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

[KarenH]

Originally Posted by shyra1353

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.

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.

[114gopher]

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!