Travel to New Mexico

Cris and I were able to travel down to New Mexico to give the donations to Phyllis Brown and family.  Our car was loaded to the max.  I wish I would have gotten a picture of all the donations sitting on Cris's families driveway before we put it into the car.  It didn't look as if it would fit.  The Lord makes things possible though and we were able to fit it ALL with a little room to spare.

We headed out on Saturday morning around 7:30AM and met up with Lino and his family later that afternoon.  New Mexico is a BEAUTIFUL state that I had never before been to.  It was an eye opening experience and very much a cultural shock to see how blessed we are in the other parts of America.

With all the donations received it looks as if the immediate needs of the family have been met. The MOST wonderful thing is friends and family from across Utah and other parts have donated and yet they have never met our dear friends family. I know that Lino and his family couldn't stop thanking everyone. Because of the physical donations received, the will no longer have to put money towards that and can now save toward the clean up and rebuilding phase.

This isn't the end. We are hoping to plan some fundraisers to raise the money needed to replace the home. I was able to get some sad pictures of the burnt down home as well as a picture of the BEAUTIFUL view they will hopefully get to return to soon!

Final Updated List

Cris and I will be pulling out of South Ogden on Saturday morning to drive down to New Mexico and deliver all the WONDERFUL donations we have received! This is a revised list so you don't have to scroll through everything.  A word on the paypal account.  There are fees associated  with it.  I believe the fees are 2.9% of the donation or somewhere along those lines.  If you feel inclined to donate you can choose to pay the fees or have the fees deducted from your donation!  Stay tuned for more updates and ways we can help this family recover from this disaster!


Baby
Pull-Ups are welcome 20-25lbs 
• Toddler’s car seat (20 lbs +)

Carmen
• Boots for winter
• Women’s jacket: medium
• Undergarments (For size 5-7 women)
• Hair dryer, hair straightener, and hair brush
• Plastic containers (to store clothes in)
• Air-mattress /pump
• Any personal hygiene necessities
Phyllis
• Personal hygiene necessities
• Plastic storage bins (to store belongings in)
• Air-mattress /pump
• Ironing board
• Dishes
• Laundry hampers• Water Containers

Another Updated List

We have received MANY wonderful donations so far!  Here is an updated list for any of you that are willing to donate.  We are planning on leaving Utah (Ogden area) on or around July 2, 2010 to head to New Mexico and take the donations.

List of needs:
Baby Karma:
• Diapers (Size 5: 20-25lbs. diapers) (Can Always Use More)
• Also she is starting to potty train so Pull-Ups are welcome 20-25lbs
• Sippy cups  (We have gotten 2 so far, can always use more)
• Children’s dinnerware set  (Can Always Use More)
• Potty Chair
• Toddler’s car seat (20 lbs +) (NEEDED ASAP)
• High Chair
• Day bed for toddler?
• Children’s blankets

• Winter jacket
• Winter boots

• Toddler shoe size: 5 (both for winter and summer)
• Children shirts (for 2 year old girl +) (Can Always Use more)
• Wash tub for baby
• Wash cloths and towels (Can Always Use More)
• Diaper bag
• Toys (Can Always Use More)
• Children’s books 


Carmen:
• Women’s shirts: medium (Can Always Use More)
• Women’s pant size: 5 (Can Always Use More)
• Women’s shoes, size: 7 and a half (Can Always Use More)
• Boots for winter
• women’s socks, size: 4-10 (Can Always Use More)
• Women’s jacket: medium
• Undergarments
• Bedding (Can Always Use More)
• PJ’s (Can Always Use More)
• Hair dryer, hair straightener, and hair brush
• Plastic containers (to store clothes in)
• Air-mattress /pump
• Hangers
• Wash cloths and towels
• Any personal hygiene necessities

Phyllis:
• Women’s shirt, size: large to XL1 (Could Always Use More)

• Women’s pants, size: 13-16 (Could Always Use More)
• Women’s shoes, size: 7 and a half (wide)
• Women’s socks, size 4-10  (Could always use more)

• Women’s jacket, size: extra-large
• Wash cloths and towels
• Bedding (for winter as well)
• Hair dryer
• Medium size curling iron
• Personal hygiene necessities
• Plastic storage bins (to store belongings in)
• Hangers
• Air-mattress /pump
• PJ’s (extra large) (Can Always Use More)

Other items:
• Iron
• Ironing board
• Dishes
• Silverware
• Cookware (Could use an Electric Fry Pan)
• Dish rags, dish towels
• Dish rack
• Mirrors
• Laundry hampers
• Laundry detergent
• Water Containers

 Online donations can now be made via Pay Pal.  Just click the link on the right side of this page.  Any amount, even $1 HELPS!


Dear family and friends,

We are so deeply moved by the outpouring of support, spiritual and financial, that we have received in such a short time period. We are truly blessed by the spirit of the Lord and are guided by His love.

Currently, we have procured support from the LDS Church, Red Cross, our local Navajo Nation chapter house, family members, friends and individuals we have never met. Words cannot capture how humbled and encouraged we are by all of these acts of kindness and compassion.

Some of our immediate needs have been met by the generous individual donations and, in part, by the organizations listed above. However, there is much work to be done. For example, we must clean and dispose of the house remains, pay legal fees, and eventually rebuild. Please visit the website, http://helpfootracerandbrownfamily.blogspot.com/, for a more updated list of items needed. Also visit the website, http://web.me.com/reznelson/Brown_Family/Welcome.html, for more information about items and opportunities to help out.

Regarding the legal process, we are allowing the local and federal authorities to continue their investigation and are cooperating fully. We pray for the individual who has brought this event to our family that one day he will feel love and compassion that we have felt in these few weeks.

Above all, our family has drawn closer together and feels the deep love that makes a family and home. Again, we thank all individuals and organizations who have worked tirelessly, and who continue to do so, to assist us during this dark hour. May you draw closer to your families and feel the one force that motivates all things in this world: love.

Humbly,

The Brown/Footracer Family

Updated List of Needs

We have received MANY wonderful donations so far!  Here is an updated list for any of you that are willing to donate.  We are planning on leaving Utah (Ogden area) on or around July 2, 2010 to head to New Mexico and take the donations.

List of needs:
Baby Karma:
• Diapers (number 5- 20-25lbs. diapers)
• Also she is starting to potty train so pull ups are welcome 20-25lbs (currently she is 20 lbs)
• Sippy cups  (We have gotten 2 so far, can always use more)
• Children’s dinnerware set We have gotten 1 so far, can always use more
• Potty Chair
• Toddler’s car seat (20 lbs +) /booster chair (NEEDED ASAP)
• High Chair
• Crib
• Day bed for toddler?
• Children’s blankets
• Winter jacket
• Winter boots
• Toddler shoe size: 5 (both for winter and summer)
• Children shirts (for 2 year old girl +) (Can Always Use more)
• Wash tub for baby
• Wash cloths and towels
• Diaper bag
• Toys
• Children’s books


Carmen:
• Women’s shirts: medium (Can Always Use More)
• Women’s pant size: 5 (Can Always Use More)
• Women’s shoes, size: 7 and a half
• Boots for winter
• women’s socks, size: 4-10
• Women’s jacket- medium
• Undergarments
• Bedding
• PJ’s (Can Always Use More)
• Hair dryer and hair straightener (also a hair brush etc.)
• Plastic containers (to store clothes in)
• Air-mattress /pump
• Hangers
• Wash cloths and towels
• Personal hygiene necessities

Phyllis:
• Women’s shirt, size: large to XL1 (Could Always Use More)
• Women’s pants, size: 13-16 (Could Always Use More)
• Women’s shoes, size: 7 and a half (wide)
• Women’s socks, size 4-10  (Could always use more)
• Women’s jacket, size: extra-large
• Wash cloths and towels
• Bedding (for winter as well)
• Hair dyer
• Medium size curling iron
• Personal hygiene necessities
• Plastic storage bins (to store belongings in)
• Hangers
• Air-mattress /pump
• PJ’s (extra large)

Other items:
• Iron
• Ironing board
• Dishes
• Silverware
• Cookware (Could Use and Electric Fry Pan)
• Dish rags, dish towels
• Dish rack
• Mirrors
• Laundry hampers
• Laundry detergent
• Water containers

Another Letter

I received this letter from our friend Lino and his mother:

Lino Footracer June 21 at 8:20pm

Callie, thank you so much. I know that you need more information so I will elaborate on our current situation. To date, we have recieved some help from the Church and also from the Red Cross. After recieving some aid from them, here is where we lack. Also here is a letter that my mother drafted:

Greetings Eveyone:
Recently our family has suffered a life altering event. On Monday, June 14th, 2010 our family lost our home in Lupton, AZ to a fire. Everything was a complete loss. In the flames of that unforgettable night we not only lost provisions for daily living but also a lifetime of irreplaceable items. We lost our family pictures, sentimental cultural artifacts, and valuable documents. Our certificates, mementos from childhood, and various awards from work to school have all been taken from us. In short, all the things that make a home life unique and comfortable….is no more. Of course there are many feelings that we are sorting through at the moment, but we also realize there are immediate problems that need to be addressed.
Due to arson, our family has lost our home. Symbolically and literally our foundation has been shattered, but we shall persevere through our faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ. We are humbled that so many people have all ready reached out to our family in compassion and love. As we strive to piece back together our family life we realize that life is precious. In the span of a few days we have come to accept our current situation.
On behalf of our family we would deeply appreciate any help that can be rendered… including your prayers. It is extremely humbling for us to ask for your assistance, but our immediate family at this critical point in time cannot absorb this cost. Therefore, we are requesting donations both in the form of money (gift cards are welcome), or any of these items listed. My son, Lino Footracer, will head up donations, and my other son, Marlon Footracer, will head up legal matters. Their contact information will be included at the end of this letter. Again, any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
In closing, there is some good news in all of this. My greatest blessing comes from knowing that none of my children were harmed. Everyone made it out okay. For now, my family and I are taking each new day one at a time. Everyday is a blessing, I have learned to look at my life in new ways. I am capable of everything with the Lord’s help. God bless all of you and remember to cherish your lives. Each day is given, the Lord giveth and He taketh away.
Sincerely
Phyllis Brown.
P.S. - For the sake of clarity, myself, my daughter, Carmen, and my granddaughter, Karma, were directly affected by this fire. My daughter and granddaughter are in most need of help.
For Cash donations/gift certificates/checks send to my son, Lino. He can be reached at:

Lino Footracer
P.O. Box 3145
Page, AZ 86040
928-640-1401
E-mail: lfootracer@gmail.com
(please write all checks out to my son Lino Footracer… my bank card was destroyed ):

For any items donated on the attached list, please send to myself at:
Phyllis Brown
P.O. Box 2014
Gallup, NM 87305-2014

(Because this is a P.O. box, for packages sent via UPS or FedEx, write, “In care of” on the box and the post office should do a general delivery for me. However, the best way of sending things will be through the US mail service. )
For legal matters, you may contact my eldest son, Marlon:

Marlon Footracer
marlonf@gmail.com
928-640-7233

List of needs:
Baby Karma:
• Diapers (number 5- 20-25lbs. diapers)
• Also she is starting to potty train so pull ups are welcome 20-25lbs (currently she is 20 lbs)
• Sippy cups  (We have gotten 2 so far, can always use more)
• Children’s dinnerware set
• Potty Chair
• Toddler’s car seat (20 lbs +) /booster chair (NEEDED ASAP)
• High Chair
• Crib
• Day bed for toddler?
• Children’s blankets
• Winter jacket
• Winter boots
• Toddler shoe size: 5 (both for winter and summer)
• Children shirts (for 2 year old girl +) (Can Always Use more)
• Wash tub for baby
• Wash cloths and towels
• Diaper bag
• Toys
• Children’s books


Carmen:
• Women’s shirts: medium (Can Always Use More)
• Women’s pant size: 5 (Can Always Use More)
• Women’s shoes, size: 7 and a half
• Boots for winter
• women’s socks, size: 4-10
• Women’s jacket- medium
• Undergarments
• Bedding
• PJ’s (Can Always Use More)
• Hair dryer and hair straightener (also a hair brush etc.)
• Plastic containers (to store clothes in)
• Air-mattress /pump
• Hangers
• Wash cloths and towels
• Personal hygiene necessities

Phyllis:
• Women’s shirt, size: large to XL1
• Women’s pants, size: 13-16
• Women’s shoes, size: 7 and a half (wide)
• Women’s socks, size 4-10
• Women’s jacket, size: extra-large
• Wash cloths and towels
• Bedding (for winter as well)
• Hair dyer
• Medium size curling iron
• Personal hygiene necessities
• Plastic storage bins (to store belongings in)
• Hangers
• Air-mattress /pump
• PJ’s (extra large)

Other items:
• Iron
• Ironing board
• Dishes
• Silverware
• Cookware (Could Use and Electric Fry Pan)
• Dish rags, dish towels
• Dish rack
• Mirrors
• Laundry hampers
• Laundry detergent
• Water containers

Life Altering Event

Callie,

To be truthful, at this point, my sister is in need the most out of everyone. She is having to go to the laundry mat every couple of days, because she is rotating what few clothes that have been donated.
Today I went to the Bishop's store house in Farmington, NM with my sister. The church there only deals with food. The Redcross met with my mother and gave her a debit card for $375.
My little niece needs a car seat immediately. My sister is a petite woman so my mother said she wears "misses." I don't know what that means ;p. My sister said that pants can go from 5-7.... that is fine (she said though that size 5 fits her best).
Baby can use anything.
My mother could use an airmattress, dishes, and silverware. (My mom says she could salvage her tortilla pan lol from the wreckage). To be truthful, any size, any pan.... willl do. An iron for clothes. "Women necessites, and accessories."
The honest, honest truth is ....that we need gas money for laundry and for gas. We have been doing a lot of traveling for court, supplies, and to meetings.
Thank you for understanding,
Lino