Summer of 2007

June was a slow month for Chelsy's Heroes when it came to fund raising. We continued to send letters weekly, and care packages when we received a new name. We would like to thank the Community Connection out of Sauk Centre for their support in helping mail off boxes. We did not use all of the money they donated. We are waiting to use that money around the holiday. So we can send off more holiday care packages. Chelsy took some time to play with her friends and hang out at the park.

The month of July found us out of town. We were visiting some friends and taking it easy. We did do some fund raising and mailed packages off. When someone gave us a name, we would be sure to get a package and letter sent. We had the opportunity to help our friends do fund raising for the Hope Chest For Breast Cancer. Both sides of the families have had survivors and non survivors of breast cancer. So it was nice helping raising money for Breast Cancer.

At one of Chelsy's Heroes fund raising events a storm blew in out of know where. We had just recently purchased a canopy to protect us from the sun. (Chelsy's Heroes money was NOT used to purchase the canopy). We were sitting under the canopy with some friends. When out of no where the wind picked up. Shopping carts were scattering all over the place. The wind picked up the tent. We tried grabbing it and holding it down, but no luck. The wind was stronger then us. There was a near by fireworks stand that we all ran into. But even that was not safe. Someone called someone at the fireworks stand and said to get inside the store right away and take Chelsy and her mom with you. We were clear at the other end of the parking lot. The wind was so strong, it made it difficult to make it to the store. We made it to the store and we waited out the storm. The after math of the storm left quite the damage. Our canopy was destroyed beyond repair. All of our signs were scattered all over the place, and bent and wet. Chairs all over the place. You can see the after math of the storm in Chelsy's Gallery. In all of the commotion we did not pick up the donation can. So when we returned. The donation can was blown apart and at the other end of the parking lot. The wind had blown the money all over the place. We were able to recover some of the money. Yet we lost a great deal of money in the storm. Clean up took some time. The winds blew in excess of 75 miles and hour. Chelsy and I have never been in such a storm before. I thought we were going to die. The Hope Chest for Breast Cancer all received damage to their tent. Some one contacted Fox 9 news and Maury Glover came and did a story. After watching the story on TV. Some came and purchased another canopy for us.

After the show aired, and he came back for a live report. The show of support was outstanding. There were many who could not give. Yet they stopped by to say how sorry they were. It was our first big storm, and it was scary.

The next day another storm came through. Not as bad as the one day before. But strong enough to tear up the canopy and destroy it. These were what we thought good durable canopies. We paid a good price for them, but they did not with stand the storms. We decided no more canopies.

After all of that we took a break from fund raising and stayed with some friends. We took a vacation. I had taken the month of July off from work. (Thank God for child support). We needed to get away from town and from the rumors that were being spread by a family member. Chelsy experienced something very traumatic in her life. So I new she had to get away from town.

For my birthday some friends took us to Space Alli ans in Albertiville. We had a good time. It was nice to sit back, relax and play games. It was nice to get away from all the turmoil in Sauk Centre.

In July, for two of our fund raising events we held a Military Baby Shower in which people could buy diapers and baby items. We then put together baskets and delivered them to some families of Military that had recently had a baby. Those baskets were a lot of fun to put together and deliver.

While we were staying with some friends, I became very ill and ended up in the Hospital. I then ended up going down to the Mayo to see my specialist. I take one day at a time. Some days I feel better then others.

I am very proud of Chelsy and all the work she has done. Sending care packages and helping families out back home. I am proud to be a part of her group. I have nothing to hide, and no reason to lie. I need to put an end to these rumors around town. It is very disturbing how a family member has nothing better to do then go the bar and trash Chelsy's Heroes. This really has hurt Chelsy, and she has lost all trust and respect for this family member. Someone she once loved and looked up to. I told Chelsy bar talk is cheap. It is those who are jealous that start the rumors. I am proud of Chelsy, and I will not tolerate these rumors to go on. When you hear one of these rumors about Chelsy's Heroes. Stop and think. How many kids do you no at the age of 11 who started her own non profit group to send care packages over eases and now help families of Military out back home. The next time you have the urge to listen to the rumors in the bars. Why do you not set the person straight. Tell this person what Chelsy has done is a wonderful thing. Jealousy gets the best of her.

People can think what they want. But I know deep down in my heart Chelsy's Heroes has sent many care packages, letters and helped families of Military all over the United States.

We were hoping to be back in town for the home coming of the Charlie Company but I was in the hospital. So we deeply regret not being their to welcome them home.

August we did some fund raising and mailed off some picnics in a basket to our Military. There were some families of Military that needed help back home. So we helped them out.

We are always looking for names to add to our list. So if you know of anyone overseas please let us know. We would be very happy to send them a care package and write letters.

I would like to thank the employees of K-Mart in Alexandria. They wanted to know how they could help out. So I asked them if they would like to write a letter to a Marine. I know a Marine overseas. So I wrote his address on the envelope along with Chelsy's Heroes. At the bottom I put attention a Marine. I emailed the Marine and told him to expect some letters from people in Minnesota to hand out. Also thanks to the manager for making a donation. K-Mart has a great group of people working in the Alexandria store.

By now it was the end of August. We had mailed off more picnic in a box. It was for Chelsy to start getting ready for back to school. Labor Day weekend, on that Sunday. We met with a Marine, his wife and three children. He was wounded in Iraq. He is from Minnesota. We presented the family with a baby gift basket for their new born. The Marine then presented Chelsy will a Marine token. I took pictures. But the pictures on the digital camera did not turn out. So sorry, not pictures. It was a pleasure meeting this family. They asked that their names not be used on the web sight. Due to security reasons with his job.

This year Chelsy is in Junior High. She was very nervous. Going from a smaller private school to a much larger school. I was very worried about her and how she would do. I was happy when the principle called to tell me everything was going great. Chelsy met a lot of new friends. She likes her teachers and her classes. In Faces class they sewed a pillow. She was very excited about that. I joked to Chelsy how sewing was not my thing in school and how I hated that sewing machine. And it showed in my grade on my sewing. Chelsy was given an A on her pillow. Now she wants to buy a sewing machine and start to sew clothes. My only comment was, you talk to Grandma about that. She has a sewing machine. Chelsy is getting good grades in school A's and B's, so I am very proud of her and how hard she is trying. She thinks it is time for her to start dating because other kids in school are dating and I told her “NO”, you are to young.

Once again I would like to thank everyone for their support. Without the support of others Chelsy's Heroes would not be possible. What Chelsy is doing is a good thing. I told her do not let the rumors keep you from doing what you are doing.

We are always in need of Volunteers so if you would like to Volunteer. Please do not hesitate to call or email.

chelsys_heroes@yahoo.com

320-352-4027

If you have any pics or letters you would like to share. Email them, and we can get them put on the website. There is still more to come to the website. I want to thank Jen for all her hard work and wonderful job she has done on the website.

Remember if you would like to donate. Monetary donations can be sent to any Central Minnesota Federal Credit Union.