One might ask what kind of program is this, where and how did it originate? What is the goal and objective? Let’s see if the following story can help answer some of those questions:
It’s early Monday morning, 5:15, Aug. 18, 2008, when there is a loud knocking at the door. I get up to answer it with Shadow (the family dog) close behind barking away. Upon opening the door, there stands a police off
icer asking if I have a son named Robert? Upon saying yes, he apologizes but Rob, 24, has been in a motorcycle accident and it was fatal, he was gone. By now Robert is coming out and asking what is going on. The officer tells him and our world now changes forever. Our son is gone but will never be forgotten. Our youngest, James, 22, and our oldest, Chris, 29, along with his wife, Jessie, 27, and our grandson Sebastian 2 all come together and as a family give Rob the best memorial we can and then try to move on in life, without Rob. It’s early Friday morning, 5:15, Sept. 19, 2008, when there is a loud knocking at the door. I get up again to answer it with Shadow once again close behind barking away. Upon opening the door, there stands Danny, Chris’s best friend. Looking in his eyes, I know something is terribly wrong. He was contacted and asked to come tell us Chris is gone, a plane crash in South Carolina. Robert once again is coming out, as is James and we once again have to come to terms that another son is gone, leaving behind his beautiful family. We again give a son the best memorial a family can and then once again, try to move on in life, without Chris, without Rob. The holidays are lonely, empty, hard! That’s where this program comes in. Many young adolescents and young adults are forgotten during the Christmas holiday, the 12 to 17 year olds. We hope to honor our boys by adopting 25 in this age range and making their holiday a little better, letting them know they are not forgotten. The Roseville Police Athletic League has partnered with us in this adventure and will be helping to identify the youth we are targeting. We will hold an event at the RPAL gym for these selected families in December. We are in hopes that you may be able to assist in helping make the holiday for these families better than it may have been. We can’t make it special for our sons, but we truly hope to for these. Our wish for you is to have a wonderful holiday and always remember to take the time to hug your loved ones, they’re special and you never know when it may be your last opportunity.. Linda Warn -Mom of Rob and Chris
