Thursday, November 13, 2008

Update 11/13

Hi everyone! We are moving right along with our progress at the Blairs but have hit a minor roadblock when it comes to kitchen cabinets. The kitchen is very small so if you know someone who could donate cabinets, please contact me at (904)626-6887. We have a generous donor who is going to do the rest of the flooring in the house. We really just need cabinets and an AC unit immediately and then we can get the house functioning better for them. They are loving the new shower/tub that was put in.

Ashley finished her last credit for her high school diploma and that is a huge accomplishment. Alex is doing well and baby Cameron is growing and getting so big! Thanks for all your prayers and help and support. Ashley wanted me to say thanks for her to everyone who has helped!

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Needs

1. Size 4 Pampers Cruisers Diapers
2. Push Toys (to encourage walking)
3. Interior baseboard trim for about 900 square feet
4. Educational DVDs appropriate for 4 month old boy, 12 year old boy, and 20 year old female
5. New windows
6. Someone to teach Ashley how to drive
7. Mentor for Alex (he likes the Gators so if anyone wants to take him to a game.....
8. New AC unit
9. Speech Therapy for Alex
10. Annual shots, vaccinations for 2 dogs (also flea control would be great too)
11. Kitchen cabinets
12. Drywall work
13. Legal representation for Ashley to get custody of Alex (12 year old)

Project update

  • There have been incredible financial donations that covered the large amount owed for the electric bill and mortgage.
  • A wonderful woman has stepped up to the plate to mentor Ashley. This is a huge answer to prayer because we know the recovery of this family is dependant upon moving forward and learning to survive on their own.
  • A wonderful neighbor has stepped in to help with the clean up and plan for the remodeling of the house and plumbing. He is pulling from all his resources and has found people to donate new cabinets and appliances for the kitchen plus a ton more.
  • There is an incredible woman who is a "do-it-all" helping with the interior painting and cleaning of the house and getting the rooms fixed up. She has been working non-stop over at their house.
  • There is an incredibly talented guy whose company is concrete options that is fixing all the floors throughout the house.
  • There have been incredible donations from food to clothing that keep coming in.
  • Our church's college ministry came in last week to clean up a tree that had fallen in the backyard and cleaned up the backyard.
  • There is so much more that you all have done and I apologize if I left any of it out.

Thank you to everyone who has given. Your donations are so appreciated and you will never know how your generosity touched a family in their greatest time of need. We couldn't have even started this project without you!

Monday, September 8, 2008

House isn't being forclosed on! :)

Hi everyone! I am so glad to report that they are going to be able to keep the house. We have had several donors give generously and we think with a little more we can help them get the payments caught up. The electric bill is being paid tomorrow and we are so excited.

The work has only just begun. Now comes the fun part of getting the house fixed up for them. We have several people investigating their connections in the building and construction arenas. In the meantime we have several needs that if you know someone who is interested in helping, could you please pass them along to us?

Their AC unit is leaking free-on and their electric bill is super high as a result. If you know of anyone who could take a look at it and possibly fix it, that would be so AWESOME!

Adam really needs a speech therapist. He has a severe speech impediment so if you know anyone that could help him, that would be amazing as well.

We are in the process of getting a team together to help fix the house. We will need kitchen cabinets as the ones they have are falling apart. If you have anything or anyone that wants to help with the project, we are putting a team together. Feel free to send me an e-mail at danagermaine@gmail.com or contact me at 626-6887.

Thank you to everyone who has already helped. Your support is more appreciated than you will ever know!

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Clothing needed

Ashley wears a medium shirt and really just needs tops. She also needs baby clothes and Cameron is already wearing 12 month boy clothes. Alex wears a 14 boys in pants and shorts and 14-16 in shirts and is a 9 1/2 boys shoe.

If you have anything you want to donate, you can drop them by my house at 941 Waterman Road South 32207. There will be a bin outside the door!

Background on Blair Family

On Monday, August 25, 2008 Ashley(20), Adam (18) and Alex (12) lost their mother, Becky to a massive heart attack. She left behind her three children and her grandson, Cameron, Ashley's son. These kids are no strangers to grief as they have have already lost their father and grandmother in the same house.

They have no family in town. Their aunt from Tennessee was able to come down and Adam is going to go back and live with her in Tennessee. The state has given Ashley custody of Alex. They are currently living in their mother's house that is in foreclosure and the electricity is on a shut off list for the 11th of September. The living conditions of the house are in extreme need and if they are able to keep the house, tons of help will be needed to fix it up. Ashley doesn't drive and will need support getting Cameron and Alex taken care of.

Thank you to all the people who have already donated items and money. It is more appreciated than you will ever know. Our goal for this blog is to keep you updated on what is going on with the Blair family and how you can help. We don't want to just put a band-aid on it, we really need to rally community around them to help them get through this difficult time.

If you would like to be a part of helping the family whether you can mentor Ashley or help with meals or want to help in anyway, please e-mail us or post a comment and we will contact you. I, Dana Germaine, can be reached at (904)626-6887 and Suzanne Hagar, friend of the family, can be reached at (904)501-5451.

If you would like to make a donation to the family we have set up a safe account that will be managed by a representative for the family. Just click the donate button below.