First Chance to Help Out!

Edit  & Update @ 12:00 on Wednesday (See below for original post): I wanted to provide a quick update to everyone. As has been the case, the response here continues to be overwhelming. As of noon today, we have exceeded the funds needed for the iPads. Thank you. The generosity and care pouring in continues to be amazing. This community is incredible and they will love their gift.

So, given where we are, I thought it very important to be clear about the status of this particular need. If you were planning on donating for the iPads, it may be best to wait right now as we are all set. If you still would like to give, by all means - it IS still open. I just want to be clear about the current status of the iPads in particular. 

Thinking long term, finances can always be a tricky thing, and the goal is obviously is to be as wise, transparent, and faithful as possible with the generosity everyone has shown. Looking forward, we are going to work to setting up a much more sustainable and organized vehicle for donations. Some of you have already suggested useful sites and resources for this. Thank you. Both families are going to explore these options with John and set up a better vehicle for this sort of thing in the long term. Stay tuned.

But as you can imagine, the needs will continue for a long time ahead. We will endeavor to be as specific and open as we can be about what is needed, where the funds are going, etc.

For now, thank you very much once again for all the support for this initial request. I will be sure to upload some pictures once they are delivered! 

-David 

Friends, Family & Dear Community,

As Carolyn has mentioned a number of times in past posts, the support and care for John and Kaitlin has been unbelievable the past few days. The phone calls, emails, prayers, messages, and well-wishes continue to pour in. This blog alone has received over 3,000 visits in the past two days! The outpouring of love onto these families has been an amazing testament to the character and Godly legacy which they have built. It is awesome.

I am writing to communicate the first chance to actively help out and show some tangible support for John and Kaitlin. So many people have offered to help. This is the first (but certainly not the last) chance to do so.

After discussing it with the families, one of the ideas was to buy iPads for John and Kaitlin. For anyone who has been through similar situations, you know just what a blessing and amazing tool these can be. In the weeks and months to come, they will allow John & Kait easy access to books, movies, the internet, email, games (John loves Star Wars Angry Birds) and so much more. The convenience, ease of use, entertainment value, and utility of these cannot be overstated. It also allows for 'Facetime Chat', which is the ability for them to see and talk to one another when John is at school or home. This is something NOT currently possible on that brick-of-a-cell-phone John currently uses. :)

Anyway, we know so many of you have offered to send flowers and cards, and those can still be delivered direct to the Wanberg's (please email Carolyn directly for the address). But if you wanted to make a donation to the iPad fund in lieu of this (or just to help out), it would be a great initial way to show your support. Everything we raise will go straight to the iPad fund, and anything above and beyond will be used at John & Kaitlin's discretion. 

Please feel NO obligation to donate - as I mentioned, there will be PLENTY of chances to help out in the long run. But for those who would like to, I included a PayPal button at the bottom of this post. You can transfer funds of any amount using either your own PayPal account or simply via credit card. Every small bit will help. Please let Carolyn or I (david.s.yarian@gmail.com) know if you encounter any issues.

On a completely separate note, we also created an email subscription form for this blog. By simply providing your email and confirming, you are sure to never miss another blog update. Here are instructions to finding that if it is not obvious: http://screencast.com/t/AwxKaBI0Me2l

In closing, John told me I could share one funny story from Kaitlin's first night in the ER. It is a good one.

As some of you know, John & Kaitlin have made it a tradition to go to Disneyland each year they have been together. They love that stuff (who doesn't??). Anyway, the first night in the ER Kaitlin was pondering her new situation and had a thought. After silently thinking to herself for a moment, she looked up and said, "Hey! You guys know what this means, right!?! Fast Passes at Disney Worrrrllld!!!"

Needless to say, that's the Kaitlin we all know and love. She's still got it! :)

Thanks everyone and please forward along any questions regarding the iPad fund to Carolyn and I.

-David Yarian (Friend of all the Wanbergs)

PS: By the way, shhhh....John doesn't know about the iPads yet.