Wednesday, March 31, 2010

At one time or another we ALL need a helping hand

Anyone who knows Josh Baumgarten knows that he is a dad first.
He learned on March 26th that he has a brain tumor.
This blog was created by friends of both Josh and his wife Kristen as a support network.
We also hope to raise money to help with the stress of mounting medical bills.
We want their focus to be on Josh's recovery and excitement for baby Eliza's arrival.
Please explore this blog to learn how you can help and join with us in supporting this wonderful family!

To learn more about Josh's condition visit the Updates page. 
The Message Board is where all comments and messages will be posted. To leave a message simply click here or on the comments link at the end of this post or any post on the home page and follow directions. Anyone can leave a message and we ask that you don't hesitate to do so. Every show of support is appreciated! Email kristinscof@hotmail.com for any questions or complications. Messages are not automatically posted so if you want the message to remain private simply write private before you begin your message. This way it will be sent to Josh and his family without being posted publically on this message board.

Two accounts have been set up as a way to make donations to the Baumgartens. One is located at Mountain America Credit Union and the other at Wells Fargo. For information on how to mail, drop off, or otherwise contribute to these accounts please visit the How to help? page. This page also shares alternative suggestions on how to help. Those who donate are welcome to have their donation recorded on the Make a Pledge page.

The Make a Pledge page is a place for us to celebrate the generousity and service shown the Baumgarten family. You can pledge anything you like. Here's some ideas:
   1. Donate an amount however great or small to the Baumgarten family fund. You can include your name or remain anonymous. You can include the amount or leave that out. Also feel free to personalize a message for Josh and his family!
   2. Organize a fundraiser. This could be a bake sale, silent auction, lemon-aide stand, walk-a-thon, or any idea you have! The sky is the limit and any amount donated to the Baumgartens as a result is so appreciated!!!
   3. Mail something. Could be a homemade card, giftcard to a store, something for the kids, or some cookies. Anything! These will be given directly to the Baumgarten family, unopened.
   4. Attend fundraising events that are organized. You'll be able to learn what events are coming up by checking the calender.
   5. Send your love, support, and prayers! Write a message on the message board.

Typically a pledge would be worded like one of the following examples:
   Example 1. The Snow family pledges to organize a bake sale for Josh and his family. We love, hope and pray for you all! Love, Joe, Shannon, and Cari.
   Example 2. Acme Contracters pledges $100 for Josh and his family. God bless.
   Example 3. Anonymous pledges a walmart giftcard for Josh and his family. I hope this giftcard can help with diapers or whatever else you may need for baby Eliza. Love and thanks for all you have done!

These examples would be posted in two places. The pledge would be posted on the Make a Pledge page and the message would be posted on the Message Board. Once you have made a pledge simply follow through by delivering your donation, organizing your fundraiser, or mailing your gift to the address provided on the How to help? page. If you decide to organize a fundraiser let us know the details so the information can be posted on the Fundraisers page. If you need help we can put a message on the message board asking for volunteers and/or help or call 435-823-3946.

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

The B family pledges $25 to Josh and his family. We love you!

Anonymous said...

I have had the pleasure of working with Josh since he started a couple years ago. I want you to know that I think the world of you as a person Josh, and I am so appreciative of your huge heart and great attitude. I have never heard a negative thing come out of your mouth and that is a rare quality to find in a person. We will keep your wonderful family in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Your friend, Chris

Mindy said...

Kristen, I've been out of town, but will hopefully get to editing more of your photos soon! You have the most adorable family!

Kari said...

The Dusty Morris Family pledges $$ to Josh and his family..Our prayers are with you.

Kari said...

Sweet Reflections Photography by Kari Morris would like to pledge a free 16 x 20 family photo. You can email me anytime to redeem..karimsweetreflectiosphotography@gmail.com

The McClellan Clan said...

Kristen, I cant get you guys out of my mind!! Even though I dont know your hubby personally I have heard great things about your family. I have always thought you were the most gorgeous, generous person all through school. you are in my prayers! Hang in there!

THE BELL HOUSE BLOG said...

We love you guys, hang in there. Everything happens for a reason and we are here for you. Keep your chins up! -Matt & Raquel

Mindy said...

I've finished editing your photos and have put a bunch up on my family blog (www.smithfamilyicecreamscoop.blogspot.com). I'll put all of the photos on a disc for you (high resolution... DON'T print any from the web, they won't be good quality... wait until you get the disc!!). Just let me know when you're home and I'll bring it over. Lots of love!

Shannon Neibaur said...

Josh, Kristen, and kiddos,

We love you ALL sooooo much. My mind and heart has been sending love and hope to you ever since I heard about your situation. Please know that we are praying that the Lord will bless you with continued strength, courage, and peace to sustain you. I believe in miracles! Love you with all our hearts! Shannon Neibaur and family

James and Jade Bethers said...

Josh and Kristen

I love your cute family and your are in my prayers daily. We hope that things will be back to normal in your world soon. Please let me know if there is anything we can do to help out Kristen. I would be more than willing to take the boys for awhile or bring you dinners. I can even come clean your house nor lend you a listening ear. Anything we can do to help, we are here! Good luck and stay strong, the Lord always has a reason for the things he does!

The Gross People said...

You are such a beautiful family! And, what an amazing mom and dad! I miss you being close enough to stop in and say hi or check on you once in a while~
You are in our family thoughts and prayers~
Love the Gross family
Please do not hesitate if you need anything~

Mark and Colette said...

Kristen and Josh,
Know that God loves you and is very proud of your lives and family. He is the one who knows what we can handle and deal with.Put your trust and Hope in him and he will comfort you. Our prayers are with you and we are here to assist in anyway.
Love ya so much! Mark and Colette

Hope said...

Josh & Kristen,
You, your boys, and both of your parents are mentioned every night by name from the mouths of my children during family prayers, and we all know Heavenly Father lends a special listening ear to those prayers offered by children. We plead for your health, we pray for your strength, and we pray for His mercy. We have complete faith that the Lord answers prayers! We love you so much and are ready to help at the first request - YOU are our focus and we are ready and anxious to work things around what YOU NEED. Please let us do whatever we can,

Brett & Hope

Heidi said...

Krisin & Josh: We are thinking of you and your family at this time. You have been so kind and thoughtful to us, and hope in your trials we can repay your love and kindness. Our thoughts and prayers are for you at this time. Heidi & Cameron

Unknown said...

We are all keeping you in our prayers until (and after) the 21st! If you need time alone, give me a call! I'll be willing to keep the kids! I miss them and I would love time with them as well! Give our family a call and we all wish Josh the best! Love you all, the Gross Family

the Rust family said...

Josh & Kristen,
You are such an inspiration to the rest of us! You are in our thoughts & prayers DAILY. The twins would love to come and babysit your boys in our house or yours for free anytime! They have told us so many times how good they were and how much they loved babysitting them. We are here to help in any way we can. We love you and can't imagine the trials you are facing right now. In my mind, I keep thinking you are more worthy than the rest of us and the Lord trusts you immensely! We are ALL praying for you! Hang in there! Trust in the Lord and He'll get you through this.

The Staffing Company, Inc. said...

What can you say at a time like this except that we love you and are here for you. We admire your adorable family so much! You will continue to be in our every prayer! Your testimonies have built ours so much. I know the Lord will watch over you and bless as you go through this tremendous trial. We love you and are here if you need anything! Love Troy & Jenny Anderson

Anonymous said...

Kristen and Josh,

I just wanted to let you know that we're still praying for you! Not a day goes by that I don't thank about you guys. All our love from Rexburg!

Shannon and fam

Tracy said...

Hi I just fell into your blog and am amazed at the comments people are making. You must be a really special man and family. I don't know if you are a family of faith but I will be praying for you all especially the arrival of your daughter.
There is a long road ahead of you with twists and turns in it God bless

Claudia Sasse said...

All my thoughts and prayers are with your family. I know how hard the unknown can be, but be strong and cherish each and everyday together. I know from experiance because my daugher Makayla was diagones with a cancerous brain tumor on September 26th, 2009. They were able to remove most of the tumor, but we know some cells still remain. We followed the surgery with 6 weeks of radiation treatment everyday. We didn't know if she would live to see her second birthday, but I very happy to say she celebrated her second birthday Febuary 5th and is finally returning back to normal. She still has a long road ahead, but for now we live one day at a time and cherish each and everyday. If I can be of any help, even if you need someone to talk to please contact me. I don't want to publish my phone number, but if you have facebook look under Claudia Sims Sasse and contanct me that way. I will get you my phone number from there. Take care
Claudia Sasse

Anonymous said...

Josh,Kristen and boys-We have been thinking non stop about what we can do to help you. we have decided to do a fundraiser for you-we are in the planning stage and will have something together next week. You are a great family and we love you!Let us know anything we can do for you!Love and prayers-Freida,Angela and Jennifer

Unknown said...

Aunt Julie- Salt Lake City- pledges all proceeds from sales of hand crocheted kitchen scrubbies, dishrags, kitchen towels, baby blankets and plastic grocery bag holders to the Baumgarten Family.
We love you guys!

Anonymous said...

Kristen and Josh, I just discovered your web site and spent the last hour reading it and looking at the pictures. I didn't find out about what you guys were going through until just recently. (I must be wrapped up in my own little world.)I've been thinking about you ever since and wondering what I could do to help. I saw your picture in Wendy's today and wrote down the blog address. Please know you have been and will continue to be in my prayers. You are an awesome family. Your boys are adorable and congratulations on Eliza's safe arrival. Kristen, I love your mom and dad so much. They've been great friends as have Emily and William. Josh, I don't know your family, but if you're from Virginia they've got to be great, right!? Maybe I'll see you at one of the fund raisers, (or at the hospital lab or in Walmart, eh Kristen?) Hang in there. You are loved. Judy H. & Daniel

Unknown said...

The Baumgarten family in Virginia wants to express our deepest gratitude for all you have done for Kristen and Josh the past 2 months. Words cannot express how we feel being over 2,000 miles away and reading about all the fund raisers, service projects, and love expressed for our children and grandchildren living in Vernal. May the Lord bless you. All our love, Pete and Lyle Baumgarten and Family

hayley said...

Kristen, I just heard about this trial in your life! I'm sorry you guys are going through this. I'll keep your family in my prayers. You're so strong and faithful! Love you, Hayley(DiVall)Potts

Grammy said...

Just wanted to say a big Thank You again to everyone who has in any way participated in the fundraisers! I had no idea what the cost of Chemo and other things would cost our kids!! and thanks to many many willing and generous hands JOsh and Kristen have been able to keep their heads above water. Maybe one of these days, chemo won't be so expensive! Thank you again everyone. Please know you are in our prayers and we are so very grateful to you all!
Bill and Laurie Kremin

Anonymous said...

Kristen,

We love you and Josh so much! Please know that we are praying for you. Feel free to come to Rexburg for a get-away. We'd love to have you visit!

Love - Jeramy and Shannon

Anonymous said...

Hooray for another stable appointment! I am so glad you got a vacaation! It was well deserved. Call if you need anything.
Heidi

Grammy said...

Thank you again to all who contributed or in any way had anything to do with the "Cut a Thon" and all of the other fund raisers. Thankyou!!! And may God bless you always with what each of you need for your Christlike efforts on behalf of our kids. YOu are in our prayers! Prayers of gratitude! (SEems we say prayers of gratitude a lot.... It feels good!)thank you..... Bill and Laurie Kremin