Original thread with the storyFirst and foremost, I want to thank everyone for the tremendous outpouring of support the last couple days. John's mom couldn't even speak when I showed her the 7 (now 8) page thread full of well wishes and prayers for John and his family during this time. She just sat and slowly thumbed through the stack of pages, and then she hugged me. John's dad was very close to tears. Knowing there are this many people so concerned with John's condition is really overwhelming.
That said, I also want to iterate that I realize there's a big fundraiser going for member 82ndabn. I'm one of the large number of people who didn't even have to THINK about donating--it just happened. I'm certainly not trying to "steal the thunder" of that fundraiser. It's for an exceptionally important cause, and i'm very honored to be part of a community that has come together like that for him.
I've received TONS of emails and IM's from people asking if they can send donations/flowers/etc. anywhere. After talking with John's parents, I know that one thing that, while seemingly unrelated, would take a huge load off them would be raising the funds to take care of getting a new clutch for his truck. Installation won't be a big issue: i've got the tools and ability to take care of that right on base. Any additional funds above and beyond the new clutch will go toward his parents to help offset their expenses while in Omaha.
If you'd like to maybe send some flowers, they can be sent directly to me (flowers may not be allowed in the ICU, so i'll have to double-check) and i'll get them to his room.
if you have something else you'd like to send along, i.e. cards or the like, those items can be sent to john in care of me as well.
Paypal account is now active. The email address to use is EternalVigilanceFund(at)gmail.com for donations via paypal. Check/money order can also be done. Those can be made out to John Connelly Donation Fund and sent to:
Connelly Familiy Fundraiser
c/o SrA Mark R Gardner
12315 South 29th Street
Bellevue, NE 68123please, if you have a desire to donate, only donate whatever you're comfortably able. 3 bucks is just as helpful as 30. amount is moot. the act of giving in this instance is so much bigger than the amount of the gift itself.
those who wish for flowers, cards or balloons are welcome to send those as well (please no mylar balloons if you decide to send some; they're not allowed in the ICU) to the address above. make a note somewhere on the delivery that it's for John and his family and I'll get it where it needs to go.
If anyone has any concerns about the legitimacy of this, member Wombat_SCSO is a local LEO in my area and I'm sure will vouch for the validity.
Again, I'm not trying to ask those who'd rather not, to donate. I'm just providing the means for those who've expressed a desire to help. I also again want to express the family's SINCERE gratitude for all the love and outpouring of support from this community. I know that John, even with the difficulty he has communicating right now, was also quite taken aback by how many people were showing support for him. You guys have made a HUGE impact on his recovery, and knowing that he has so many people he's never met personally who are pulling for him really has lifted his spirits.
Thank you all for everything you've said and done.
and if you haven't donated to the 82ndabn fundraiser yet, and are able, please do so. he's another one of our brothers definitely in need right now. those threads are stickied at the top of the General forum, so if you haven't seen 'em yet please check them out.