We have been amazed and overwhelmed with the amazing support we have received! It has been incredible to watch. Due to the mass amount of e-mails, we quickly realized we'll reach the goal of 44 baskets quite easily. So after a lot of discussion, we've decided to aim for another goal...200! Yes it sounds crazy, but we really think we can do it. If you were planning on donating something for all 44 baskets, don't feel pressure to donate 200. We appreciate any amount you are willing to give.
Chelsea and I sat down together and here are some things we discussed.
*All donations or packages can be sent to
Chelsea Beckstrand
1198 Pleasant View
Rexburg, ID 83440.
PICU stands for the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit :)We are working with Primary Children's Medical Center.
Thank you for giving advice on what items you feel might be helpful to add to the bags. There's no doubt it would have been nice to add all of it. What we have posted is what PCMC approved. We have to stick to that list :)
We have to get organized! So we ask you to either comment or send an e-mail stating what you are willing to donate. That way we will be able to communicate the items we are in need of. It would help us so much!
If you are shipping a package or live in or around the area, we ask for donations to arrive at Chelsea's house by December 10, 2010. This way we can get organized and buy the items we are lacking. We will be compiling the tote bags on the 17th, there's no way we can meet up afterwards to get items, we will be dispersing the bags to be delivered. We realize many people are willing to help deliever the bags but unfortunitly the PICU is only allowing us to drop these off because of strict policy on the number of people who can visit the PICU.
We are placing the items in large tote bags, with the saying "I can do hard things" on front.
Many have asked if it's okay to share the Pay if Forward post, go right ahead :)
Thank you, thank you so much for the e-mails! All of you support and personal letters mean the world to us, but with a hectic school schedule I'm struggling to find time to answer all of you immediately. To help us out a few family members have offered to help, so you could possible hear from one of them. I hope that is okay! Just know we appreciate each and everyone of you! I know this is going to be a huge success!
Love the new goal! You guys can do it! Love the bag idea with the saying. It is powerful.
ReplyDeleteThat is GREAT news! I am so glad people are willing to give sooooo much! I LOVE the bag idea! Congrats on the GREAT success!
ReplyDeleteHello.
ReplyDeleteI live in KY, and have been so inspired by your story. So, I want to help. My email addy is kristennporter@gmail.com. If you could send me an address to send my donation too, and let me know if there's something that isn't being donated as much as other things, so I can fill in the gaps. :)
I'm so glad to have a way to help others. I'm going to try and get a group of people together in my town to help. So maybe we can send a bigger donation than what I could do alone.
Thanks again for sharing your story with the world. I'm sure it isn't easy. But your family has been in my daily prayers.
In Christ-
Kristen Porter
kristennporter.wordpress.com
okay so if I understand correctly we cannot put together the bags ourselves and bring them to primary's, is that right? So how can we help from a distance (Provo)? Is shipping things the only way? Let me know, I'd love to help. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHey Ashley, You are so amazing and inspiring! Is there a "pay it forward" blog button that we can add to our blogs to help spread the word? If I was a smarty I would create one--sorry! :O)
ReplyDeleteAndrea Schwab
Ash - I can help contact people or help out in anyway, I have time so I can do whatever you need. I have a fleece blanket and 12 packs of gum and 12 packs of mints to send. But I'm trying to get my friends to help donate too, so I'll give you a better update probably in a week or so.
ReplyDeleteI am sending a box with one of everything. I'll get it in the mail this week. I love the tote bag idea! I have loved that motto every since I heard it in conference (was it Sister Beck?). It's fabulous. You are awesome. :)
ReplyDelete*All donations or packages can be sent to
ReplyDeleteChelsea Beckstrand
1198 Pleasant View
Rexburg, ID 83440.
Hi Ashlee, I live in Canada, but would like to donate something. I will probably do a box of granola bars or something easy to ship. Can you please post the address again where I can ship?
ReplyDeletesorry - never mind, I just saw it in the previous post!! :)
ReplyDeleteI'd like to just donate some cash, so you can buy what you need. Would you like that mailed to the mentioned address, or are you going to set up a PayPal link from your blog. I'll do either. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI'd like to donate through Paypal if that is still possible! :)
ReplyDeleteAshley and Chelsea,
ReplyDeleteI will ship out 19 packs of gum and 40 fruit leathers within the next week, so you can add that to your list! What a wonderful way to give service! I have spent time working at PCMC as a Nurse (in the days of yore!) and I am so glad to be a part of serving families and patients there! :)
Hi Ashley, I follow your blog and you amaze me with your attitude. Our family would like to donate 10 baskets. This gives us something to work on on Thanksgiving. So put us down for 10 baskets. My email is daviang@aol.com Thanks for giving us an opportunity to serve. Angie
ReplyDeleteI will do 20 small unscented lotions and I will take them to chelsea's house.
ReplyDeletemy mom brought me a box of 36 individually wrapped gardettos to donate. Will those be fine instead of the gold fish or trail mix? I'm planning on asking my relief society to help so hopefully I'll have plenty to bring with me on the 17th. My mom was also going to ask her dentist if they'd be interestedin donating toothbrushes.
ReplyDeleteI'll be sending two fleece blankets.
ReplyDeleteHi. I've been following your blog and I was wondering if I could donate some lotion. My Dad used to travel a lot for work and we have a ton of hotel lotions- I don't think they're scented and I probably have about 60 on hand, but I'll see if I can get a hold of some more. I'll send them up to Rexburg with my friend (we live in Utah).
ReplyDelete