winterbadger | really frightful story

I'm passing along an appeal for help and support that a friend alerted me to. There are links both to the original appeal and to a news story giving a few more details (and, incidentally, validating the story).

Obviously this is someone who needs who needs help of many kinds, some of which few or none of us can supply; those who can, do.

Help Karen [original at http://www.nla-i.com/nla/html/helpkaren.html]

Recently, here in Seattle, a member of our local community experienced a tragedy. While sleeping at home her house was set on fire. Her boyfriend, Terry, woke up and ran out the front door to grab the hose to put out the fire. As he did he was shot and killed by her estranged husband who had hidden himself sniper-style in the woods across the street. Karen escaped out a side window and ran for help. The ex husband fired on firefighters and police to prevent them from fighting the fire or giving any aid and the house and its contents were lost. Needless to say, this has hit her hard. Karen has been a member of the local community for a about ten years now, though not as active as some due to raising four kids. She and Terry were planning on marrying in September, instead that has been replaced by a funeral and the knowledge of a trial ahead. She is quite literally down to nothing but her friends and family right now. The fire wiped out everything in the house, including the two family dogs.

Terry was her sole provider and with no will all of his assets after funeral expenses will go to his oldest child. Locally, we are doing everything we can to put together the necessities for her and trying to raise funds to help her out. She fortunately has a trailer to live in for now, but really needs help with replacing clothing, food, toys and having enough to make even minimal payments for heat/electricity until she can get back on her feet.

The children are doing okay; Terry's two youngest live with their mom and his two oldest are in their early 20's. Karen's two children just returned home from Michigan, after visiting family to find out what their father had done and that they had very little left of their possessions.

The water is back on at the property, with the help of a neighbor they got a generator hooked up to the well pump, but even things like the water holding tank have to be replaced; the old one melted. This is a rural area where much of the water comes from wells on property and the heat and cooking are done with gas.

Her estranged husband is currently in custody and has pled guilty to the arson charge against him. He will also stand trial for two counts of murder 1 charges. Those being for Terry and the Police K9 that was shot and killed on the scene.

You can see the full story at:

http://www.komonews4.com/stories/32279.htm

What can you do to help?

We would like to ask that anyone wishing to help out in any way they can, please do. Karen is a much loved friend to a lot of people out here and we want to do everything we can to help her. Walk-in donations can be taken at any Bank of America Branch, or after Aug 16th at any Fleet Bank Branch on the East coast. Just ask to donate to the Friends of Karen Lemieux fund. The local community, both leather and vanilla have come together to help, many things like blankets, pots, and pans have been arriving from neighbors, friends, and family. What Karen needs right now is the help with day to day items like the bills, food, and clothing.

If you prefer to send a check please make it payable to:

Friends of Karen Lemieux

Checks may be sent to:

Friends of Karen Lemieux
C/O Bladeplay Knives
7751 24th Ave NW Suite A
Seattle WA 98117

If you would like to email Karen you can write to:

klencouragement@yahoo.com