Thank you MONTANA!!!

Ryker and his family have received so much love and support from all over the world throughout their journey. They received a lot of love and support last month from Montana. Two events were put on in the Bitterroot Valley to raise money, awareness and support for Ryker and his family. The first event took place at Super 1 in Stevensville and the second was a benefit dinner in Hamilton, MT. The goal for the two event was to raise $10,000 and I am happy to report we met that goal!!!!!!!

The first event (courtesy of Chanel Lykins, Super 1 Foods - Stevensville and their various vendors) was a raffle, hot dog and ice cream sale. Chanel and Super 1 (managers Rich and Berry) worked so hard to make this event such a success and a success it was. Photos below are from the event at Super1.

The second event was a spaghetti dinner in Hamilton, MT. We continued the raffle from the event at Super 1 and added many more amazing items to the raffle and live auction. All items were donated to benefit Ryker and his family from various individuals and businesses from Missoula to Hamilton (listed below). Also thanks to these individuatls and businesses from Missoula to Hamilton we were able to serve a delicious meal with about 90% of the food & serving wear being donated. We had approximately 150 in attendance at the benefit dinner.

There was a keepsake table set up so those who wanted could draw photos, write notes, write letter and add them to the keepsake box that was to be mailed to Ryker's family. I am happy to report that the boys received their box last week and it made their day. The girl’s received their box Wednesday the 3^rd and Rachel said it brightened their day so much. Rachel said it is unbelievable how much of a positive difference receiving letters, photos, gifts etc. in the mail makes for the kids – it always brightens their day.

A huge thank you to all those who participated in some way towards the events here in the Bitterroot Valley. We are blessed and thankful to be surrounded by such amazing and caring people. It is because of people like you that Ryker is able to have someone that loves him so much by his side every day. It is also because of you that all of his parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, supporters, followers etc can sleep better at night knowing how much good there really is in the world. God is good and continues to bless Ryker and his family.

Thank you to all the businesses and the individuals below for your donations that made this event possible:

Moose Creek, Papa Murphy’s, Fiesta En Jalisco, Bitterroot River Inn, Victor Steakhouse, Flower Happy, Beaver Tail Stitchery, Ten Spoon Winery, Fusion Effects , Fords, Sapphire Moon, Kingdom Kids, Elle Jae Photography, Heather Thomas, Crystal Mousley and Connie Jessop- Bitterroot Bellagio, Udderly Fresh, Bella Boutique, Ezette Zikan, Debbie Babcock, Happy Trails, Wall Graffiti Vinyl Lettering, Linda Olbert , Bitterroot Bit & Spur, Murdochs, Mom and Me, Images by Stephen, Big Sky Toy Room, Chapter One Book Store, Cliff’s Coral, Annette Edwards, Robins Hallmark, Subway, Al’s Cycle, Bitterroot Brewery, Jerry Wessels Les Schwab, Lube Quick, Splash Car Wash, Valley Drug, Fireside Pizza, Bitterroot Drug, Writing with Light Photography, Bitterroot Aquatic Center, Anna & Tom Miller, Shulunds, Amerisource Bergen, Sandy Hanson -The Total Look, Cindy Stewart, Gerri Coon, Buffalo Hat Gallery, Cynthia Bauldauf, Pepsi, Coca-cola, Hamilton Pack, Johnny Carinos, Famous Daves, Buffalo Wild Wings, Perkins, River Rising, Ridgeway Pharmacy – Stevensville, Coffee Cup, Ten Spoon Winery, Hidden Legend Winery, Worden's Market, Party America, Chavez Family (In Memory of Jayden Chavez) Super 1 Foods Stevensville & Hamilton, Health Care Providers, Pasta Montana, Thingz in Balloonz, Safeway, Bitterroot Valley Ice, Terry & Autumn Evanoff, Margie Mason, Hamilton City Hall, Chanel & Matt Lykins, Albertsons, Proctor & Gamble, Twisted Tea, Summit Beverage, Anhauser-Busch, and Red Rooster.