Death

Run For Rory

Anna Blankenheim Death, Exercise ,

Two years ago, my stepdaughter’s best friend committed suicide. She was beautiful, smart, successful, and funny. She was well-educated and a well-loved nurse. She had everything going for her. At least, she did from the outside. On April 7, 2015, Rory took her own life. It was a devastating shock to all who knew her and left everyone feeling helpless.

17554363_1852132735057103_6468715968055924724_n

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, with almost 45,000 people taking their own lives each year.

My stepdaughter has put together the first annual Run for Rory event on May 6th. All proceeds from the event benefit Operation Care, a local aid agency that staffs a 24-hour crisis hotline. I encourage anyone near Amador County to come out and support this great cause. It will be a beautiful 3(ish) mile walk or run around the lake.

You can register at the following link: https://sites.google.com/view/runforrory2017/home

You can also follow the Run For Rory Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/runforrory/

If you can’t make the run, but want to make a donation, those are accepted as well!

17523632_1852012445069132_3125441740766026835_n

RAK #22: Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez

Anna Blankenheim Death, Random Acts of Kindness , , , , ,

This is the twenty-second of 49 random acts of kindness (RAKs) that I’m doing to honor the victims of the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting. Hopefully each small act puts a little bit of happiness back out in the world!

This was another fun one – I found a spot at work that was out in the open and just left this behind. I hope someone really enjoys it!

This RAK is in honor of Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez. He was known as the light in all of his family gatherings.He was studying healthcare management in Orlando at the time of his death. Rest in peace, Gilberto.

IMG_2335

RAK #21: Enrique Rios

Anna Blankenheim Death, Random Acts of Kindness , , , , ,

This is the twenty-first of 49 random acts of kindness (RAKs) that I’m doing to honor the victims of the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting. Hopefully each small act puts a little bit of happiness back out in the world!

This RAK was another fun one – I had a gift card to Target. I found a random desk at work, and left it. Hopefully it made someone’s day!

This RAK is in honor of Enrique Rios. Enrique, a Brooklyn social worker, had traveled from New York to Orlando to celebrate a friend’s birthday. He is remembered by his family as a sharp, thoughtful person, who was very passionate. Rest in peace, Enrique.

IMG_2334

RAK #20: Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado

Anna Blankenheim Death, Random Acts of Kindness , , , , ,

This is the twentieth of 49 random acts of kindness (RAKs) that I’m doing to honor the victims of the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting. Hopefully each small act puts a little bit of happiness back out in the world!

Not all acts of kindness are random! I ran an errand at lunch today and grabbed lunch at La Bou on my way back. I can’t seem to leave that place with out a croissant and decided to bring one back for my sister!

This RAK is in honor of Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado. He was a father to a young son and a talented dancer. He danced at Disney Live and was known for his salsa moves. He died with his boyfriend Leroy Fernandez. Rest in peace, Xavier.

IMG_2314

RAK # 19: Mercedez Marisol Flores

Anna Blankenheim Death, Random Acts of Kindness , , , , ,

This is the nineteenth of 49 random acts of kindness (RAKs) that I’m doing to honor the victims of the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting. Hopefully each small act puts a little bit of happiness back out in the world!

For this RAK, I bought lunch for the lady behind me in the drive through. It was simple, but her smile as I watched in my rear view mirror made my day!

This RAK is in honor of Mercedez Marisol Flores. She loved music and had a smile that could light up the room. She was a hardworking student who was interested in event planning. Rest in peace, Mercedez.

IMG_2310

RAK #18: Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon

Anna Blankenheim Death, Random Acts of Kindness , , , , ,

This is the eighteenth of 49 random acts of kindness (RAKs) that I’m doing to honor the victims of the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting. Hopefully each small act puts a little bit of happiness back out in the world!

I have decided that instead of giving something up for Lent this year, that I will do an act of kindness each day. This is #2. Yesterday, my work held a volunteer day (seriously, how cool is that?) in which we were encouraged to take time out of the work day to go do good in the community. I, of course, chose the horse rescue to work with. All About Equine is a local horse rescue that does amazing things. I chose to take some time afterward to provide a small monetary donation as well!

This RAK is in honor of Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon. He was known as a protector of his friends who never retaliated with hate. He died with his partner of eight years, Jean Carlos Mendez Perez and the two were inseparable. They were buried in a joint funeral. Rest in peace, Luis.

img_2301

RAK #17: Martin Benitez Torres

Anna Blankenheim Death, Random Acts of Kindness , , , , ,

This is the seventeenth of 49 random acts of kindness (RAKs) that I’m doing to honor the victims of the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting. Hopefully each small act puts a little bit of happiness back out in the world!

I have decided that instead of giving something up for Lent this year, that I will do an act of kindness each day. I’m a bit behind on posted, but this is the first one. One of my Facebook friends posted a Go Fund Me for her husband’s grandson – little Calogero who was diagnosed with Burkitt Lymphoma, with several masses throughout his body. No child should have to face what this brave little boy is going through – he started chemo already.

This RAK is in honor of Martin Benitez Torres. He was a college student visiting family in Orlando (from Puerto Rico) when he was killed. He was an avid cook and described by friends and family as diligent and hardworking. He was always smiling and well loved. Rest in peace, Martin.

img_2300

RAK #16: Amanda Alvear

Anna Blankenheim Death, Random Acts of Kindness, Tragedies , , , , ,

This is the sixteenth of 49 random acts of kindness (RAKs) that I’m doing to honor the victims of the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting. Hopefully each small act puts a little bit of happiness back out in the world!

I may have gone a little overboard on this one. Our church does something called the Giving Tree – you take a tag with someone’s name and wishes and buy them gifts. I chose a nine year old little boy named Malachai. I had so much fun shopping for the things he needed (some clothes) as well as a lot of games (what he wanted). I hope he has a wonderful Christmas!

This RAK is in honor of Amanda Alvear. She could have made it out of the club, but went back for her friend Mercedes (who also died). She worked as a pharmacy technician and was in school for nursing. She was known as a joyous and loving person. Rest in peace, Amanda.

img_1961

RAK #15: Franky Jimmy Dejesus Velazquez

Anna Blankenheim Death, Random Acts of Kindness, Tragedies , , , , ,

This is the fifteenth of 49 random acts of kindness (RAKs) that I’m doing to honor the victims of the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting. Hopefully each small act puts a little bit of happiness back out in the world!

I had done my normal Sunday morning grocery shopping and was heading over to get gas when I noticed a homeless man near the grocery store. I popped back in, grabbed a gift card, and handed it to him as I left.

This RAK is in honor of Franky “Jimmy” Dejesus Velazquez. The oldest of the victims, he was known as someone who loved being with people and always helping them. Rest in peace, Jimmy.

img_1960

RAK #14: Jean Carlos Mendez Perez

Anna Blankenheim Death, Random Acts of Kindness, Tragedies , , , ,

This is the fourteenth of 49 random acts of kindness (RAKs) that I’m doing to honor the victims of the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting. Hopefully each small act puts a little bit of happiness back out in the world!

This RAK is near and dear to my heart – I support several horse rescue organizations (one via Amazon Smile, which donates a portion of every order to my charity). HiCaliber Horse Rescue is one I learned about from my friend Erin. They are located in San Diego and do some amazing work – every week they attend auctions in which horses that are not purchased are shipped for slaughter. Many of these horses are terrified, abused, and in horrifying condition. Some are what they call “compassion pulls” – horses so sick or injured that they must be euthanized – HiCaliber takes these horses and shows them love in their last days. Others are rehabilitated and adopted out. It’s a truly amazing program and I encourage you to read up and donate if you are moved!

This RAK is in honro of Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, who died with his boyfriend inside Pulse nightclub. He was a popular salesman at a local perfume outlet store and was described as a warm, funny man. Rest in peace, Jean.

img_1771