Meet the Wright and Keener Families…

onlinements 54

1. 

   Collin (Mrs. Hip) June 13, 2011 at 3:50 pm MST

   Oh my….that is SO SAD with the letter….the part about the “Christmas tree with lites” just saddens my heart. God Bless you Collin for helping to take care of this family. Truly amazing!

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  Teresa June 13, 2011 at 4:17 pm MST

  The x-mas tree got me to crying. Every year I onlineplain about my ugly tree. This year I will just appreciate that I have one.

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  Ronni June 13, 2011 at 7:40 pm MST

  Oh..me too…breaks my heart.

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  Kelley June 13, 2011 at 7:56 pm MST

  Me too! I thought that was a very sweet request.

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2. 

   Kari H. June 13, 2011 at 3:52 pm MST

   aw man…I have a toddler bed that I am getting rid of but I live in Mobile, AL and I’m not sure how I would get it to Griffin GA.

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3. 

   pandaswithwings June 13, 2011 at 4:08 pm MST

   I feel bad that I keep for getting to mail off a package i have for the tour. Is it too late to send?

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  Collin June 13, 2011 at 4:10 pm MST

  No, you are not too late. I just ask that all packages please arrive by July 1st. Thanks so much for your support!

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  pandaswithwings June 13, 2011 at 11:11 pm MST

  Awesome! Thank you! Going to add a few more goodies I got today and it will be on you way! ^-^

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4. 

   Kate June 13, 2011 at 4:08 pm MST

   I am all for helping those who need it, but there is no mention if these people have insurance or not. I would like to send a monetary donation but I want to make sure it is going to a family that didn’t have insurance.

   Thank you.

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  Tina June 13, 2011 at 6:41 pm MST

  Kate, THANK YOU, for being willing to help. Even if they did have insurance, many policies only cover to a certian amount. As for the Keener family they did NOT I cant speak for the others. Some, ( I know now that i am one) do not have enough coverage to replace even half what they had, and most policies only give the depreciated value. So, even with insurance these families still need the onlinepassion and help. The ones here that have insurance are useing what the have LEFT after paying the mortage off (which is not much) to put a roof over their heads. See, many think if you have insurance you replace all your stuff, but if you have a MORTAGE that has to be paid FIRST. 🙁
  Thank you all for you help for these families.

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  Mimi June 13, 2011 at 6:52 pm MST

  And don’t forget, FEMA is refusing to help some of these people.

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  Tina June 13, 2011 at 7:21 pm MST

  so true. There is a fmily here that lost the business that the man had for his family and because he was working had a job inonlinee, FEMA did not pay a penny. Fema, has helped some, but, not as many as they claim. I was told a lot of what the claim to be spending is allocated tothe workers that are going out and filling out the papers. I know how weird.

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  Niki June 13, 2011 at 11:11 pm MST

  Tina, I think you bring up an important point. Some agents try to get the lowest possible premium to snag customers, but sacrifice coverage.
  Every homeowner should read their policy carefully .
  If you don’t have 100% REPLACEMENT COST coverage of the dwelling you will not be able to rebuild. You will get only the depreciation.
  It is a good idea to get a quote from more than one agent. But, some agents don’t know the policy as well as they should. The number one thing you can do to protect yourself, is to read your policy and ask questions.
  Also, be sure that you have enough personal property coverage. It might cost more, but what is it really worth to you?

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  Heather Cargill July 2, 2011 at 5:17 pm MST

  Hi Tina- My family was on vacation until yesterday but I have a BIG box of new toys and a few other items that I UPS’d out today. They said it should be there before the 8th. I know this post asked that everything be there by July 1st but we’ve been out of town for 3 weeks so I’m hoping it’s ok that it’s getting there a bit late, we really want to help. Sorry for any inconvenience!

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  Heather Cargill July 2, 2011 at 5:18 pm MST

  Oh and I mailed it to your address not Collin’s so I hope that makes it a little easier… :o)

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  Tina Horn July 2, 2011 at 5:25 pm MST

  Thank You so much. I should get it before the 8th UPS is pretty fast here. Well depends on where you are.. But even if its late,, I will personally take to the family. Thank you for thinking of them, This entire tour has been so blessed with the love of people all over our usa like you! God Bless! Tina ALABAMA

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  Heather Cargill July 5, 2011 at 3:35 pm MST

  Yeah! Thanks Tina! Hope it goes off without a hitch… God Bless you and all the folks your trying to help…..

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5. 

   Terry June 13, 2011 at 4:16 pm MST

   Collin,
   Concerning the families that you have profiled, many have a direct address and a storage address. I would like to mail some of the items that the families need now. I am not sure with some of the families profiled exactly what is needed now. Could you please let me know which are which? Thank you for doing this.

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6. 

   Lisa June 13, 2011 at 4:21 pm MST

   I have SO MUCH that’s on both of these lists, including some of the bigger items. I just wish I had a way to get it from Chicago to Ga, since it’s HUGE and heavy and way too big to ship. 🙁 I hope some local people/people who live a little closer can onlinee through for these poor families. Thank you for doing this!!!

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  cole June 13, 2011 at 4:27 pm MST

  Try using the USPS once size boxes. I wish I could remember the name. If it fits in the box, it ships for one low price. I have been able to send some heavier items this way.

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7. 

   Lauren30 June 13, 2011 at 4:52 pm MST

   All of these stories are heart-breaking. Thank you so much for all you are doing to help these people Collin. This is a great example of the power of the internet being used for good. 🙂
   I am putting together a box, but wondering if it’s okay to send some “gently-loved” toys and clothes?

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8. 

   emilee June 13, 2011 at 5:21 pm MST

   omg, that is the sweetest little letter ive ever seen. if that doesnt get you to send something their way, you have no soul! lol
   collin you are a wonderful person. i’m sure these families are thankful to have met you!

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9. 

   Sarah June 13, 2011 at 5:27 pm MST

   I to was very saddened with the Christmas tree and lights. I am wondering if it would be okay to send gently used? I have a daughter the same age as Brianna.

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  fran June 13, 2011 at 5:42 pm MST

  It has been said before that they will accept gently used clothing.

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10. 

    Niki June 13, 2011 at 6:46 pm MST

    I feel their pain. I have all my sympathy go to them especially kids during the hard time. But having kid jot down XBox 360 and Nintendo DS as need items after an emergency striked. I am really not happy to see that on the list. I mean, mom or dad should have cross it out or at least teach kids what’s the different between need and want.

    Please, respect my own opinion.

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  Mimi June 13, 2011 at 6:54 pm MST

  I don’t blame the kids for asking but you are right, the parents should have crossed it out. I noticed that too.

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  Amber June 13, 2011 at 7:22 pm MST

  I got the impression that the little girl was writing a list of the things they lost.
  That may not be a “need” but do you seriously have an issue with a little girl who has lost EVERYTHING writing down what she lost?
  I am from Alabama and the horrific death toll and destruction is very traumatic. Most of us know people whe died during those storms. Please respect my opinion that going through this experience is NOT the time to “educate” a child on needs vs. wants.

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  dana June 13, 2011 at 11:17 pm MST

  actually, this is the perfect opportunity to educate the kids on the needs vs. wants issue. It is hard to teach a child that without them seeing actual needs NOT being met (which happens VERY RARELY in the US). We are so blessed in our country, which is wonderful, but at the same time, often makes it so we have a hard time understanding needs vs. wants. Many people, adults included, don’t understand that a NEED is something that you will DIE without. Everything else is a want. Shelter, food, clothing, are needs, everything else is fluff.

  Seriously, do 4 y.o. have X-Boxes??? what happened to sand boxes and lincoln logs???

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  tt June 13, 2011 at 11:43 pm MST

  Last time i checked you wouldn’t DIE without clothes. Let the kids wish for what they want. It doesn’t mean you have to buy it for them, but maybe someone else has one they don’t use anymore and wants to give them one of their WANTS!

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  julie June 14, 2011 at 12:36 am MST

  depending on your climate, clothing could be a definite need.

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  Emily June 13, 2011 at 7:29 pm MST

  I understand that those items- XBox and Ds should not be on a need or want list right now, however it says above that the children were asked to make a list of what they were -Missing- after the storm, not necessarily a list of things they were asking for.

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  Tina June 13, 2011 at 7:23 pm MST

  I agree too, that is somewhat excessive, but remember they are kids. They dont really know the costs of these things they just miss what they had before. They will learn in time what is need verses wants. Right now, they just know everything they HAD is gone. I see both sides.

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  J Cardens Barto June 13, 2011 at 8:33 pm MST

  Sorry i don’t agree with you. A child’s mind is totally different than an adult’s, and we shouldn’t expect them to worry about what we do. When I separated from my husband, my daughter didn’t really seem worried that she wouldn’t be living with her father any longer, but she would ask me four or five times a day if she would be able to bring all her toys when she and I moved out. The things children play with on a daily basis bring them onlinefort and can restore a sense of normality to a child that has their “normal” totally disrupted. I think video games might be theraputic for these kids right now.

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  dana June 13, 2011 at 9:54 pm MST

  I totally agree that those items signify that these kids need to be given some direction as to needs and wants. With so many families without anything, it is greedy for these kids to ask for such items – they should be being taught that they should only want their needs, and then desire for others to have their needs fulfilled before the kids start asking for wants.
  I feel more for the people that own the rental – I hope that they have insurance; household items can be easily replaced, a house, not so much.

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  tt June 13, 2011 at 11:47 pm MST

  Are you really calling a kid that just lost their home greedy???? I think you need to step back and understand the big picture. THEY LOST EVERYTHING!!

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  tilla ham June 14, 2011 at 10:40 am MST

  I agree with you about the renters/owners..and it’s frustrating that people don’t realize renters indsurance can be as cheap as 10-16 dollars per month to cover the household items. I understand we all get in this mindset that it won’t happen to us, but then every year it happens to another group of people that are totally blindsided. Please do not misunderstand, my heart breaks for these people…the renters, and homeowners whom have lost a lot.

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  Shana June 13, 2011 at 10:10 pm MST

  I would agree with you, Niki. I was surprised that she put XBox 360 and Nintendo DS 1st and 3rd on the list but put the pink onlineforter and pillow near the bottom…those are necessities! Then again, kids learn from their parents, so we can’t really blame them but hope they get help with their basic needs after this tragedy.

  Thank you Collin for organizing this effort!

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  Lindsey June 13, 2011 at 10:10 pm MST

  I agree. I was very surprised to see that as well.

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  tilla ham June 14, 2011 at 10:32 am MST

  I grew up with nothing, we spent weeks at a time living on and off in a green sation wagon and the food bank was our salvation. I could never have wished for these things, because I was lucky to find .29 cents for a hamburger at mcdonalds and it was a miracle if there was an extra dime for cheese. Kids that have always had these things, would of course gravitate to them in a time of stress. I always wanted my raggedy baby blanket and sweet pickles book because they were familiar. So while yes, it is materialistic and the wrong thing to ask for, in these kids minds it’s just familiar and familiar equals onlinefort. Plus dad may have helped with the list, my husband can only thing about his laptop and playstation in a time of crisis:)

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11. 

    joeywishtoo June 13, 2011 at 7:55 pm MST

    So, their animals were ok then? Since you listed dog, cat & horse food. I can only imagine how scared they were. The last tornado that hit our town (we’ve had 2 since 1973 & we have been extremely lucky that none have ever been close to these horrible ones) hit the SE side of town. My dad’s co-worker’s house was hit. His son had their dog in one arm & the cat in the other running down to the basement as their windows were breaking. Every time it got windy after that, the poor kitty would run & hide. BTW, I had to cry when I saw the Christmas tree & lites, too.

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  Tina June 13, 2011 at 8:35 pm MST

  joeywishtoo, the Keeners 2 dogs are so depressed and confused they keep going back tothe place wherethe home was and laying in the driveway. The family goes and gets them and brings them back, but soon as they are let out of the house, they walk “home”
  I know 1 of their dogs is a great pyrnese, but not sure what the other one is.

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12. 

    Kelley June 13, 2011 at 7:57 pm MST

    I just boxed up some things for the Wright family. I plan on mailing it tomorrow.

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13. 

    kmstar1 June 13, 2011 at 9:50 pm MST

    I think this is amazing what you guys are doing for these people in such need. I was wondering if you were going to Joplin, MIssouri also. Joplin is my hometown so it really hits hard with me. There are so many familes that need help there. Fema and the insurance onlinepanies aren’t doing much good from what I’ve been told. I wish we could all help everyone in need.

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  Michele June 14, 2011 at 10:44 am MST

  I had put a small box together and was going to send it to a family in Joplin. Do you know of any churches, etc. that are taking donations?

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14. 

    BrittanyT June 13, 2011 at 11:54 pm MST

    I have a dresser/couch/tv’s and a whole house of things (besides beds and a kitchen table) that i would LOVE to donate. My mother passed away in February and I inherited many things my family doesnt need. I’ve yet to go through much of it but i Know there are lots of plus sized clothes towels kitchen dishes/glasses/cups cooking supplies. She would have loved for someone in need to receive them but were currently expecting (in a few weeks) so money is tight and shipping items just is not a financial option for us (wish it was) —- does anyone know of a way i could get things like this to people in need? Her house is in the Houston area if that helps. I wish the best of luck to this family

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15. 

    Beth June 14, 2011 at 2:13 am MST

    KMSTAR1 I have been donating to Joplin and I know they are demolished…I mean it is BAD there. I am in 63042 right now…and My husband is a construction worker. We are trying to stay until they say they need help so he can donate himself…….but they keep telling these guys …no no not now…..why not now??? THese people need their lives back…..in my opinion and call me nasty…..if it came down to a bottle or 2 of shampoo and allowing people to onlinee in and rebuild my home……I would walk around nasty with dirty hair if it meant my little girl was sleeping safely in her own bed. I have been boxing up stuff all week to take out there to help them about 5 BIG uhaul boxes and still going strong…I would rather live minimalist if my clothing and everything I have went to a mommy or a little girl that TRULY needed it

    I have a Christmas Tree but it is Hot Pink 7 foot tall tree…..don’t know if they would want it or not…its all I have we have been out of work for 3 years now (construction) It is everything we have….but I will give it all to these people if I could. Point me in the right direction…..I will send stuff there….are there any organizations that will provide boxes or mailers for shipping stuff…..we will drive ours to Joplin….but I cannot afford to send a tree that far away. I don’t have ornaments….we just used ribbon and made little bows and tied them all over it….my little girl didn’t care it was a pink tree and she was impressed with that ….

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  tilla ham June 14, 2011 at 10:41 am MST

  so sorry to hear about your being out of work for so long and heartwarming to hear that you’d give all you have despite what you’ve been through.

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  Collin (Mrs. Hip) June 20, 2011 at 4:37 pm MST

  I know this church has been helping a lot there. https://ignitechurch.tv/
  They can point you in the right direction.

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  kmstar1 June 20, 2011 at 4:49 pm MST

  https://ignitechurch.tv/
  This church has been helping a lot! They should be able to help you out in any way.

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16. 

    Martha June 14, 2011 at 8:44 am MST

    HI,

    My Dad should be mailing some Barbies to Alabama for the Keener little girl. I just sent him the address to the church. He has been collecting Barbies for years and is now trying to find good homes for them. He keeps trying to give them to my liitle 7 year old daughter (almost 8) but we have too much. I am thrilled to have them go to a little girl who has gone through so much.

    You are doing GREAT work. Keep it up. : )

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  Collin June 14, 2011 at 9:09 am MST

  Awww…please give your dad a BIG hug from me. Thanks so much for your support!

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17. 

    Melodie June 14, 2011 at 12:50 pm MST

    Wow… that’s seriously harsh to be criticizing an 8 and 4 year old for writing down what they lost in a major disaster, the extent of which, I doubt you can even imagine. Try having a little empathy.

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18. 

    Brooke June 14, 2011 at 1:35 pm MST

    I am 10 minutes from Griffin. I had no idea you were onlineing so close! A family member of ours lost his shop, vehicles, and had home damage, and is not able to get any sort of assistance at all. AT&T even told him there would be a fee to suspend his service even though his home was damaged by the tornado.

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19. 

    1 man 2 kids 3 cats 4 dogs and a mommy June 14, 2011 at 5:36 pm MST

    OMG! Somebody please tell me where I can find a Christmas Tree in the middle of June! Can I pledge to have a NEW one sent to them when they go on sale during the holidays? Something, anything???

    and as a side note: I was so upset and in tears when I read the note from the kids. But I was more upset and saddened by the onlinements I continued to read. Is this really the venue for a discussion on wants and needs? There is so much hate and tragedy in this world today, can’t there just be one time where an out pouring of simple love, onlinepassion and kindness is all that is necessary.

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