Chandler-Man's Best Friend

ANNOUNCING CHANDLER'S BEST FRIEND!!!

2010-04-19T15:44:00.000-07:00

We received this letter today from 4 Paws...

Hello! My name is Dior and I am a member of the Perfume litter. My brother Hummer is also in this class. We are Black Lab x Golden Retriever mixes. We were born 4-17-2009. I am so excited that you are coming here to be my boy. I hear you are a very cute boy and that we will look like a great team together. I like Nylabones, the liver flavor and big, red Kong toys! What kind of toys do you like? Do you like to play games. We play a fun game here called tracking, at the end you get hotdogs! I hope I can sleep in your room and that we can be best buddies! I have been working very hard for this day so I could have a boy like you and now all my dreams are coming true and you will soon be here. Hurry up my friend! I am waiting for you!

xoxo Dior

2009-06-06T19:13:00.000-07:00

WE DID IT!!!

WE HAVE REACHED OUR GOAL AND RAISED OVER $14,000.00!!!

A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED US WITH THAT GOAL!

STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CHANDLER-MAN'S BEST FRIEND!!

Chick-Fil-A Thank You!

2009-05-30T18:14:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who came out on Thursday for Chick-Fil-A night. The turnout was amazing! We think it helped that the Concert on the Lake series had a popular band that night. The manager at Chick-Fil-A said he wasn't prepared for the amount of people that came through! So thank you to everyone who donated their receipts!

And the iPod Touch that was raffled off went to a lucky young man named Chandler Kennedy! Picture to follow soon!

Chili's Fundraiser

2009-05-20T20:01:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all that made this day great! Sorry the audio is messed up on this one!

2009-05-06T20:33:00.000-07:00

Taste of Rockwall

2009-05-04T18:16:00.001-07:00

On Thursday night we went to the Taste of Rockwall. Bel Fiore generously donated a spa basket worth $500.00!!! We sold raffle tickets for it and walked away with a WHOPPING $941.00!!! How awesome! And here is the lucky winner. Thanks to everyone who supported us!

applebees video

2009-04-29T20:24:00.000-07:00

I was very impressed and excited to see so many people at applebees!!!

2009-04-19T14:39:00.000-07:00

Applebee's

2009-04-17T12:16:00.001-07:00

Last night was AMAZING! Applebee's was packed! And word has it that it was one of the most successful fundraisers they have ever had! GO CHANDLER!!! A video and the amount that was donated will be posted shortly.

Thank you to everyone who came out to eat and anyone who donated!

The Garage Sale!

2009-04-09T19:01:00.000-07:00

So far, we have been overwhelmed with support from our friends! Thank you so much for all you are doing for us and for our Chandler-man!
We have had so many donations for our garage sale!It seemed like car after car friends stopped to donate items! Thank you Julie, Susan, Mindy, Mel, Kirk (owner of Stone River golf courses)Peggy ( your a true gem) Doc Allen (and your weird :) apple peeler )Meykala and your mother-in law and any of the Stonebrook crew that donated! And a big Thank you goes out to Julie & Phillip! They are hosting the garage sale at their house.
Last night was crazy! Thank you to Susan, Julie and Phillip for helping set up. Julie, if I ever need someone to hammer a stake in...well, I'll call you but, I'll find a hammer first! LOL! Susan, Thank you so much for keeping me focused. I kept looking at those piles at 9pm last night not knowing where to start. Thank you for direction!
And Philip... thanks for being so cool about letting the garage sale take over your garage/front yard!
This am Jana (bless her heart) dropped her sweet little boy off at a daycare to watch the garage sale all day! By herself! WITHOUT A POTTY BRAKE! Now that's a bladder! Not to mention a great friend! She did great for a gray, slightly rainy day $320! I know! Fabulous!! Jana, thank little Eli for giving up his mommy all day! Well there is still plenty of stuff for sale and some new pieces coming in tomorrow. So, get some sleep everyone and I'll see you bright eyed and bushy tailed in the morning at 300 Autumn trail in Royse City!
We did great for a little garage sale! A grand total of $ 1987! Between the three days of garage sales and the past week of supporters donating! We are well on our way!
Everything that was not sold at the garage sale was donated to the local Helping Hands.
Thank you to EVERYONE!

Car Wash Videos

2009-03-23T22:05:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple videos from the car wash. Too bad the quality online loses a lot, the speed up effect looks perfect on raw footage...Flash can be converted into very high quality...it's not our cameras that are lacking, its the software I'm using...Hi Chandler!! Hey April, mind if I load Chandler's Angel League clip up here...?

2009-03-23T19:41:00.000-07:00

Here is a few more pics of Chandler. He is our baby. Hope you enjoy. We are not only willing to bring home this service dog for Chandler's safety but, as a member of the family as well.

Chandlerman Baby to Big Boy!

2009-03-23T18:14:00.000-07:00

Chandler-man and his BIG Brother Allan are getting so BIG!. These photos will make you appreciate that time runs too fast.

ENJOY!

Auntie Jilly

2009-03-23T17:17:00.000-07:00

Push ups for Paws!!

2009-03-23T17:03:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pics of 3Q Fitness' "Push ups for Paws"!
Thank you Jennie Watkins for giving Chandler-man a ride on your back!
You GO Girl!!
Also, a big THANK YOU to Robert Selders (owner of 3Q Fitness) for donating to 4 Paws 4 Ability $202!!! And an even BIGGER Thank you to all of those women who pumped out a grand total of 202 push-ups in 40 Seconds for Chandler!
Thank you soooo much to (the women I work with) my friends that showed up and washed cars tirelessly: Mel, Julie, Mindy(and her daughter Rachel), Susan(and her daughter Heather), Jennifer(and her son Hunter),Beth and Barb(it's been a tough week, thanks for coming). With out these girls...this car wash would have been a disaster!
Also, a huge shout out to my friend Cassey! She is a mom of another wonderful autistic boy named Brennen. And last but, so not least a HUGE "Thank you Jesus for sending her" my chiropractor, and owner of REMARKABLE CARE in Rockwall, Dr. Ann (and don't forget her great kids)!!! Dr. Ann you were amazing thank you so much for all your endless energy!!!!

Car Wash Slideshow

2009-03-23T09:53:00.000-07:00

Thank you!

2009-03-21T20:16:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who came out to help us with the car wash and especially to those who donated so generously. Our grand total for the day was:

$1139.78

How awesome is that!!! We are 1/13 of the way there!

Special thanks to Robert Selders, Jennie Watkins, and all others at 3Q Fitness for raising money this morning with a push up-a-thon! And for the media attention!

Coming soon: Video and photos of the car wash.

PS. If anyone has any experience or would like to help with charity poker tournaments, 5K run/walks, golf tournaments, etc...please contact us. Our information is on the right side bar!

Chandler-Man a Real Cowboy!

2009-03-21T18:57:00.000-07:00

Today I am SO proud of everyone with the successful Car Wash at Walgreens at
2911 Ridge Road, Rockwall, TX 75032. Thanks to everyone who helped out by donating, washing, promoting and by being a WONDERFUL support for this sweet little Cowboy.

HE NEEDS THIS DOG! And Thanks to all of you that have so graciously given to
4paws for ability in Chandler's honor. People in Texas are SOOOOOO COOOOL!

Love ya Chandler!

Auntie Jilly

About Chandler

2009-03-18T17:55:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! Well, I guess I should start off by writing a little bit about our Chandler-man!

First, I must let you all know that I am NO Jenny McCarthy! You have been warned.

Chandler is a 5 year old NON-verbal AUTISTIC boy in need of a service dog. There are only a few across the country that train service dogs specifically for kids on the Spectrum tailored to their individual needs. Most organizations that train these dogs have a waiting list of 4 years+. We were on a waiting list for quite some time and finally, Chandler has been accepted!! Ryan and I are so excited!! 4 Paws for Ability ( 4pawsforability.org ) is the NON-profit organization (501c3) that will train Chandler's dog but, we need to raise ALL THE MONEY OURSELVES for 4 Paws. The total is $13,000 for the specific training that is needed for our son's dog. That is just for the dog and his/her training. We are very determined to make that goal happen! Even though it seems so far away we know that this dog will not only provide comfort and friendship for our son but also, keep him safe. You see, Chandler has no fear like you or I. He doesn't understand the fear of HEIGHTS or WATER or TRAFFIC or STRANGERS...basically he is FEARLESS!!!

So, with all that said, we will proudly start fundraising for 4 Paws for Ability this Saturday March 21st at Walgreen's(on RIDGE RD) in Rockwall, TX at 11am-3pm.

The CAR WASH is FREE people...Donations are accepted!! All donations will be sent to 4 Paws for Ability and credited towards Chandler's goal! There are tax donation sheets available if needed.

So, drive on in with your dirty car! Oh, what the heck, we will even wash it if it is clean! If you drive a motorcycle bring it on in! I would normally say a motorcycle is half the price of a car but, (once again) IT'S FOR DONATIONS ONLY!!! If you are unable to donate FEEL FREE TO PICK UP A SPONGE AND JOIN THE FUN!!! We need all the help we can get! We currently have 7 (one just confirmed today) people committed in helping to wash cars this Saturday. If you don't want to get soapy in all the fun we have signs that need holding!! Even if you can only donate your time for 30 mins holding signs or soaping up cars...WE WILL TAKE IT!!! WE NEED ALL THE HANDS WE CAN GET!!! Ryan and I understand that we are not going to raise all that money by washing cars this Saturday but, what a good start for our goal!

If you truly can't make it we understand. We have busy lives ourselves but, if you could just tell, text or email someone or even all the people you know about our Chandler and the CAR WASH this Saturday(03.21.09)at Walgreens on Ridge Road in Rockwall, TX at 11am-3pm! I know this will be a very BIG SUCCESS for a very deserving boy!

Donations:

Walgreen's has been gracious enough to offer their location and their WATER! THANK YOU CAROL!!

Lowe's donated 4 buckets, 4 sponges and a big jug of soap! A SPECIAL THANKS TO THE BIG GUY WHO GAVE!

Home Depot donated an in store $25 gift card toward supplies! THANK YOU JOYCE!

Office Max donated 100 b&w copies of donation sheets! THANKS MANAGER GUY!

Micheal's donated 8 poster boards! THANKS MANAGER LADY!

Thank You so much!!! Every little bit helps!

I'd like to send a big Chandler-man hug out to Jill his "godmudder" that lives in Minnesota for listening and helping this crazy old lady the last couple nights!!! No, who am I kidding, I mean the last couple of years listening and helping me deal and cope with the stressers of a wonderful autistic child!

I want to sent a special "THANK YOU" out to my friends and co-workers for all your time, printer ink, creativeness, poster board decorating, computer know how (this is the only reason this blog is here), idea bouncing, MORAL SUPPORT, information gathering, t-shirt dying, flyer printing (thank you RACHEL!!) email sending, POSITIVENESS, selflessness and true kindness. God has truly blessed me with my friends!!

So, THANK YOU JULIE, MEL, MINDY, SUSAN, BETH and JENNIFER!

The most important THANK YOU needs to go out to our OLDEST son ALLAN (7yrs old). For being so supportive and loving towards his brother-man! Even if they fight, Allan still likes to wake his brother in the moring with one of Chandler's favorite songs "the ABC's"!

Dedication

2009-03-09T15:32:00.000-07:00

This site is dedicated to Chandler-Man, who touches the lives of many and will continue to do so for years to come.