Support Addie in Mike Utley's Dam2Dam "Thumbs Up" ride

Our friend Addie is participating in the Mike Utley Foundation's Dam2Dam Bike Tour in Wenatchee, WA and need our support! See the letter below on how you can help support Addie's ride-

Mike Utley Foundation

DAM2DAM “Thumbs Up!” Bike Tour

September 27, 2008

To All My Friends and Co-Workers;

September 27th 2008 I am going to make a difference in the lives of those living with spinal cord injuries. I will be riding the 50 mile route in the Mike Utley Foundation DAM2DAM “Thumbs Up!” Bike Tour in Wenatchee,WA. This is a great cause and I’m asking for your help in supporting my ride.

On November 17, 1991 Detroit Lions offensive right guard, Mike Utley (#60) was paralyzed during a game against the Los Angeles Rams. Mike’s courageous “Thumbs Up!” gesture has come to symbolize his fighting spirit. In his own quest to walk again Mike has focused all of his energies towards helping others living with this disability. The Mike Utley Foundation was founded in January 1992 and is committed to providing financial support for research, rehabilitation and education for spinal cord related injuries. If you would like to know more about Mike and his Foundation log on to his website at www.mikeutley.org. The Mike Utley Foundation is a 501(c)(3) Non-profit Organization.

There are many reasons that I am committed to this worthy cause. A few noteworthy facts are as follows: the lifetime costs incurred by SCI individuals average $900,000.00 and can reach as high as 2.8 million depending on the level of injury; Most insurance plans have limits for durable medical of $1,500.00 or less; The initial cost of a wheelchair needed by SCI patients averages $4,000 to $8,000; quadriplegic patients frequently exceed $20,000; the Nation currently invests less than 1% of the costs of spinal cord injury into research that has the potential to restore function.

My goal is to raise a minimum of $250.00 in donations for the Mike Utley Foundation as a participant of this bike tour. Please join me in making a difference in the lives of those living with Spinal Cord Injuries.

Please make checks payable to the: The Mike Utley Foundation Checks may be mailed to my home address at: 8657 17^th Ave SW Seattle WA 98106. If you are mailing a check to my house, please mail them by September 15^, 2008.

Or mailed directly to the Mike Utley Foundation at: P.O. Box 458, Orondo, WA 98843 Or donate online at www.mikeutley.org under “Sponsor a Rider” on the DAM2DAM page.

Please indicate on your check or your online donation that you are supporting my ride, Addie Killam.

The Mike Utley Foundation will receipt you directly and notify me that you have supported my ride.

Thank you in advance for helping me to reach this very important personal goal!

Sincerely,

Addie Killam

ABC News Primetime does story on Surfer's Myelopathy

In case you missed it, ABC News Primetime has done a story on Surfer's Myelopathy.

You can read on

First-Time Surfers Cautioned About Rare Spinal Injury

Doctors Liken Surfer's Myelopathy to Spinal Stroke

By LYNN LEVY
Aug. 12, 2008

Join us for a Open Housewarming Party

Join us this Saturday, June 28 anytime between 3-7pm to welcome
Addie home and say thank you to all of Addies Angels.
Please bring your favorite potluck item; salad, desert, side
See you there!

8657 17th Ave SW Seattle, WA 98106


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Finishing Touches This Weekend!

FINISHING TOUCHES THIS SUNDAY:

Last weekend during our Big Push Addie’s Angles completed much of the “to do” list. The construction of the back deck was completed (minus the railings), the drywall was installed, a new bathroom sink was installed, the rear of the house was re-papered and the siding cleaned and put back up, decoupage Scottie dogs as well fashionably grace the kitchen and an “Angel’s Garden” was installed outside of Addie's bedroom.

If you need some further inspiration aside from the photo’s in the slide show, Steve Lansingh took some beautiful photographs (like the garden one featured above) more of his photo’s can be found at Steve & Amanda’s Blog here and here.

If you have photo's to share please contact Michaelle (info listed below).

This week the floors at Addies house are being refinished and to allow dry time Addie’s Angles will be taking Saturday off and ramping back up on Sunday, June 8^th at 10:00am until we drop. If you have been standing back for lack of “home improvement skills” there are some great opportunities to help on Sunday with some of those last minute touches as we complete the finishing touches to complete this Extreme Home Makeover!

Outside

Front deck- finishing touches and stain (4 – 6 Volunteers Needed)
Back Deck – finish the rails, details and stain (6-8 Volunteers Needed)
Mow, weed whack/edge and general yard sprucing up (Volunteers Needed)

Inside

Paint and touch up any areas that are in need (4-6 Volunteers Needed)
Window washing (3-4 Volunteers Needed)
Sand all bed room molding and finish (1-2 Volunteers Needed)
Hang blinds and grate covers (1-2 Volunteers Needed)
Install Kitchen counter (1-2 Volunteers Needed)
And all the little finishing details; painting touch-up, trim work etc.

8657 17th Ave SW Seattle, WA 98106

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WHO DO YOU KNOW?

There have been so many volunteers who have stopped by to lend a hand in getting Addie’s home complete for her homecoming. Friends…..and friends of friends, co-workers, former school mates, neighbors, OLG parishners and a HN Nun, even former West Seattle residents who don’t even know Addie, just to name a few. We have complied a list however, it is incomplete and we need your help! If you have stopped by, even to say hi and drop off cookies, please let us know! Contact one of the volunteer coordinators below so we can be sure we have your correct contact information. We know you will want to be there for the........

.......PARTY!

Help us welcome Addie home and thank all of Addie’s Angels who have put so much into getting her new home ready. Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 28^th! More information will be coming soon so check back often!

AN IMPORTANT NOTE ON FUND RAISING

There has been a big push to get this home done and ready so Addie has a place to call her own. The community support has been unbelievable and the sheer amount of volunteers who have helped pull this together and have pooled not only their time but resources as well still amazes all of us. There still is however, a real need for donations. Aside from the materials costs and medical expenses there is still a mortgage that has to be paid on this home. There have been many ideas tossed around, bowl-a-thon, yard sale, spaghetti bake etc. but we really need someone to take the lead on this. If you have a want to chair and coordinate the fund raising or would like to be part of a fund raising committee or have a wonderful fund raising idea to share please contact Carrie at 206-878-6389 or at jncrasmussen@gmail.com.

To volunteer contact any of the following coordinators -

Project/Contractor liaison: Michaelle Crovisier at 206-349-4663 or at michaelle@kw.com

Communications: Cathy Miller at 949-292-6700 or at marshmillerca@earthlink.net

Blog Moderator: Carrie Rasmussen - jncrasmussen@gmail.com

The Big Push

The BIG PUSH is coming this weekend!

JOIN US Saturday 05/31 and Sunday 06/01
10:00am ..... until we're done!

Addie will be coming home sometime in early to mid June and we are doing a BIG PUSH this weekend to get this home done!

So many people; friends, family and even complete strangers who saw Addie's story on the West Seattle Blog, came out over their Memorial Day weekend to work on Addie's new home. It is truly inspiring for those close to Addie and her family, who have been volunteering countless hours, to have total strangers show up because they just felt a need to help! WOW!

There was much that was completed over the holiday weekend by a wonderful team of "Addie's Angels". New ramps to the front door and framing for the bedroom doors out to the "to be completed" back yard deck.

There is still a huge need for volunteer time and donations for our BIG PUSH this weekend to get several projects completed. Addie's Angels will be working on the following this weekend and can use all the help we can get!

-Hardwood floors in the two bedrooms and living room need to be repaired and refinished. ***If you know a flooring company who would be willing to donate their time please contact Michaelle, contact info listed below.***
-Kitchen and bathroom floors installed.
-Drywall installed around the doors that were widened and in the bathroom area. ***If you know a drywall company or drywaller who would be willing to donate their time please contact Michaelle, contact info listed below.***

-BRING YOUR HAMMER TO HELP WITH THE FOLLOWING PROJECTS-

-Ramp rails installed on the front ramps that were built last weekend.
-And we still have a rear deck and ramps to be built in the back yard, off of the bedrooms.

There is also a need for some 15 lb. felt to repair the rear of the home where the new doors were installed.

Join us this weekend for our BIG PUSH to get this home done for Addie!

8657 17th Ave SW
Seattle, WA 98106

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We will be having a welcome home party for Addie towards the end of June so watch the blog for the announcement!

Questions on the home renovations or to volunteer? Contact:
Michaelle Crovisier at 206-349-4663 or michaelle@kw.com
Dean and Cathy Miller at 360-341-1799

“Addie’s Angels” is made up of Contractors, Students, Neighbors, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parishners, St. Francis of Assisi Parishners, Skater families, Keller William’s Realtors, Girl Scout Mom’s, Employees of Cadman and their spouses, Workmates of Bob Killam, Boy Scouts, Preschool Mom’s from back when, bloggers and West Seattle Blog readers (people that have never met Addie or her family and use to live in West Seattle), Kids of family friends and even a Holy Names Nun! Add your name to the list!

This blog is managed by Carrie Rasmussen. Additions can be emailed directly to jncrasmussen@gmail.com

A Great Day of Work and Great Neighbors

It was a hot one today and there were so many of "Addie's Angels" who showed up to lend a hand. There is still much to be done so.....calling all of those friends, family, general "do-gooders", volunteers and strangers, YOU are still needed and GREATLY appreciated!

Many people stopped by to say "hi" bring brownies, cold drinks, snacks, the list goes on.

We would also like to give kudos to the fantastic neighbors and passers by who stopped to introduce themselves and buy a cup of lemonade on this hot day. You're welcoming Addie to this community is fantastic and one of our littlest volunteers is able to make a $43 donation to the Addie Killam Benevolent Fund at Washington Mutual.

Tomorrow's (Sunday, May 18, 2008) schedule is as follows-

10 am - 2pm General clean-up
Bob Killam 206- 762-8602

UPCOMING Scheduled Work Parties-

Decks/Ramps
Sat. 5/25 10 am - 5 pm
Sun. 5/26 10 am - 5 pm

Do you have some inner aggression, you'd like to work out? How about swinging a hammer at the RAMP and Deck Work Party. We need 12 volunteers, per day.

Please call Dean & Cathy Miller at 360-341-1799 to let us know what date you want to swing that hammer. Make sure you bring your favorite hammer and song.


WORK PARTY ADDRESS:
8657 17th Avenue SW Seattle, WA 98106-2309

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If you would like to volunteer some time please contact one of the work party volunteers listed below or if you prefer you can post to the blog and we will forward it to the appropriate coordinator. There is still a need for time, materials and donations.

Michaelle Crovisier 206-349-4663
michaelle@kw.com

Dean & Cathy Miller 360-341-1799
marshmillerca@earthlink.net

Paula Richards 206-935-6157
Bob Killam 206- 762-8602

Please check back often as we will update this site with new progress pictures, work party dates, needs lists and fund raising events. Many blessings and thanks again to all of "Addie's Angels"!

Addie's Peeps-WORK PARTY ANNOUNCEMENT

Hi! Happy Good Day to you all!

I am not sure if you are already on the list to help make Addie's house handicap accessible, but if you can help or if you know somebody who could or would be available - please pass the info on.

There are some mighty fine Angels at home in Seattle working very hard to help Miss Addie get her house available for her. Thank you for your love, prayers & support - We can not imagine how much more difficult this task would be without our wonderful Angel community.

Addie fans and family, WE NEED YOU!!!!!!

The Get R' DONE Committee needs the following volunteers:

-Do you have an urge to express your inner Artist??
-We need 10 Painters this weekend. Bring your spare roller, paint brush etc.

Please call the following coordinators to volunteer:
Friday, 5/16 Noon - 7 pm
Michaelle Crovisier 206-349-4663

Saturday, 5/17 9 am - 2:30 pm
Paula Richards 206-935-6157

Sunday, 5/18 10 am - 2pm General clean-up
Bob Killam 206- 762-8602

Do you have some inner aggression, you'd like to work out. How about swinging a hammer at the RAMP and Deck Work Party. We need 12 volunteers, per day.

Please call the Millers 360-341-1799 to let us know what date you want to swing that hammer. Make sure you bring your favorite hammer and song.

Decks/Ramps
Sat. 5/25 10 am - 5 pm
Sun. 5/26 10 am - 5 pm

Remember those old barn raising parties?

Me neither but we are gonna do the best to make it a good time. Lunch soup is being donated, to add to the community bonding experience. Then we'll bottle it up and send it all the way to Denver for Addie to share in the experience.

Thank you so much - love you long time - luvies, ginger & Addie

WORK PARTY ADDRESS:

8657 17th Avenue SW
Seattle, WA 98106-2309