Tickets are SOLD OUT

Thank you for your wonderful support of the Friends of Ricks Fundraiser. As of today, tickets to the event are sold out, we have reached the allowed room capacity and therefore must suspend ticket sales at this time. No tickets will be available for purchase the night of the auction. For those of you who haven't purchased tickets, but still want to contribute to the event, we are still accepting donations to help get Rick some wheels. Donations can be sent to Pris Kloess or Karen Schneider.

Tomorrow is the last day to get your auction items in, so wrap up those loose ends and get the items to us. All items must be "display ready" as we are closing in on the final stretch.

Thank you again for your support of Rick and Robin and for making this event a sell out!

We are just a week away from the Friends of Rick Fundraiser on June 5th. Tickets to the event have been going fast and it appears that the event will be sold out. There is still plenty of time to make a donation of any amount for this wonderful cause. As the weather warms up in western Washington, everyone is talking about getting out and about so let’s pull together and get Rick some wheels. The goal of the fundraiser is to buy Rick a specially equipped van so he and Robin can get out for some much needed recreation and to provide transportation to his many therapy and medical appointments. Please help us reach our goal; any amount gets us closer to buying a van for Rick.


You can easily make a donation online at:

http://www.ntafund.org/find-a-patient/profile/index.cfm/patient/3CEAE301-A8BC-1CBD-90935B5B7A55E631

Any more questions, please feel free to contact us:


Pris Kloess pkloess@gmail.com 425-202-7911 OR
Karen Schneider schnkar@gmail.com 425-489-9552

With less than a month to go before the Friends of Rick Fundraiser on June 5th, there is still plenty of time to make an auction item donation or purchase a pre sale ticket to the event. Some of the items that will be up for auction include:

Desserts by the month --all year long

One week stay at time-share in Cabo San Lucas

Gourmet dinner for six with wine pairings

Mariner’s tickets

Host a Game Night-games, appetizers, drinks, set up, clean up for up to 12 people

Ride along with Canine Unit of Renton Police

Water sports package including skis, life jackets and flotation cushions

Multi speed bike

Wine and snack baskets

Kindle and e-book gift card baskets

Mariner’s gear and tickets baskets

Multi sport ticket gift basket

Custom jewelry

Designer watches

Bed and Breakfast

One week stay at cabin n Leavenworth

Day of Crabbing on Puget Sound

Dance lessons

Guitar lessons

The list goes on with plenty of variety for everyone and at every price point. Please consider making a donation and attending the event. Lets help Rick get a van – we can do this !! Call/email with donations or questions.

Pris Kloess pkloess@gmail.com 425-202-7911 OR
Karen Schneider schnkar@gmail.com 425-489-9552

Fundraiser Details

Fundraiser for Rick update 4/17/11
What: fundraiser to BUY RICK a VAN
Where: Redhook Brewery, Woodinville
When: June 5, 5-8PM
Cost: $35 in advance, $50 at the door, Make checks out to Robin Teal
Mail checks to: Pris Kloess 11728 NE 48th Pl. Kirkland, WA 98033
OR Karen Schneider 24201 25th Ave SE Bothell, WA 98021
Questions: contact Pris Kloess pkloess@gmail.com 425-202-7911
OR Karen Schneider schnkar@gmail.com 425-489-9552
Tickets will not be issued. We will keep a list of people who have paid and check off names at the door as people arrive.
Event will include light snacks, no host bar and a SILENT AUCTION
We still need help gathering items to auction! Please consider making a donation.
Individually or with a group make a basket of items to donate.
Donate things like: sporting event tickets, theatre tickets, restaurant gift certificates
Donate lessons: golf, tennis, cooking, fly fishing, gardening
Auction Items need to be in to Karen or Pris by June 1, call or email Pris or Karen about delivery. Please include approximate value of item.
Donations can be made directly to an account set up for this fundraiser. It is at BECU. Account # 3587156594. To donate online use routing # 325081403.
ALL donations go directly to Rick. Redhook has donated the room and food!

Closing in on the final stretch

We're heading for the finish line of October 16. That's the day I'm scheduled for discharge.
It looks like all of the house changes that will be needed are falling into place. This is a result of a lot of hard work by a lot of people and I don't know where to begin to thank everyone who helped make this happen.
It also looks like the issues that Connor was facing are working out in a positive way. This was obviously a very stressful situation for Robin and Connor in the middle of everything else that is going on.
As for me, yesterday we submitted the specifications for my electric wheelchair. It will be will over the next month or so and I will be picking it up and having it fitted to me at that time. In the meantime I will be going home with the prototype that I have been using here in the hospital. I've been here since July 1 and I'm finding it hard to believe that I will actually be coming home in less than two weeks. I look forward to be able to thank all the people face-to-face who worked so hard at home to make it possible for me to come home.
Rick with Robin

We're getting close to coming home

It's been a very busy week on a number of fronts. Here at Harborview I have been testing different wheelchairs, each with its own peculiar ways of working. So I have to learn a different set of controls for each-to say the least, it's been challenging if not interesting. On the homefront, Robin and all the others involved in the construction activities have been very busy. We've picked rug, room colors, linoleum samples and stuff like that. We've also begun to schedule work where special contractors are needed-like in the new bathroom, where tile and things like that are involved. There's also been work parties-in fact, the fence is now done. What an accomplishment! Once again, Robin and I can't begin to express our gratitude to those involved. A simple thank you can never go far enough. Bless all of you for your generosity and support. October 16 is coming fast. That's the day I'm scheduled to come home. It is hard to believe-I've been in the hospital since July 1, so you can understand this just seems unbelievable to me. It will be so good to be back home. To everyone who has helped make this possible, know how happy you are making me. Thank you so much.
-Rick with Robin

A tale of two cities

Here at Harborview, I have been working with different electric wheelchairs to try to find a model that will fit me best. Some of them work by joystick and some of them work by a sip and puff device that I work with my mouth. So far I haven't killed anyone with my driving and I haven't done too much damage to the walls and furniture. Hopefully we will get this all figured out by the time I leave. My discharge date has been moved out to October 16. We are also working on getting my medications figured out. We need to get the right combination of medications that will control my spasms without overly sedating me. It's tedious process and hopefully we'll get it figured out.
At home, Robin has been working with all of our friends who are helping us get our home figured out and constructed so that I can come home. There's a lot to do and everyone is scrambling to make it happen. Our younger son Connor has made things interesting because he had a bit of a problem a couple of nights ago and did some damage to the home which must be cleaned up and fixed before we can go on.
We can't begin to express our gratitude to all those who are making this happen. It's truly amazing what's been done. Bless all of you for your hard work. For those of you who have posted to this blog or have sent cards and gifts, we send our thanks. You can't believe how much these mean to Robin and I and how much they bolster us because things are really becoming stressful right now. Thanks again to all of you.
Rick with Robin