Tragedy

Tragedy
I don't know if you heard about it, but on Friday Oct 24th at the pumpkin patch at Orr Family Farm an 18 month old little girl was killed when the tractor doing the hayride ran over her. I can't get this poor child and family out of my mind, my heart just goes out to them and I want to cry each time I think about it. So not only do I want to ask you all to pray for her and her family (Her name was Zoe Montgomery, Her parents are Carrie & Shane), but I feel a need to do something for them. If you would also like to help, let me know. I'm thinking the only feasible thing would be to donate money, although if at all possible I would like to contact them about providing food, and maybe offering my scrapbooking skills to make a scapbook about Zoe. I don't know what would make me feel better or what I would need if something happened to me like that, but I just feel this need to do something for them. You can read about it here:

http://newsok.com/hayride-victim-was-a-little-angel/article/3316006/
http://www.koco.com/cnn-news/17799946/detail.html


Here is a letter from a woman that was actually on the ride with them, that has set up a fund for Zoe's family if you wish to donate, and I strongly encourage you to do so.

Dear Family, Friends, and Colleagues,

I am writing you in a very critical time. As some of you may know, there was a horrific accident that occurred on the night of October 24, 2008 at the Orr Family Farm. A 18 month old little girl, by the name of Zoe Madeline Montgomery, was ran over by a tractor trailer while exiting from a hayride. I have been deeply touched by this tragedy as I was there, on the hayride, with my family. It is an experience that I can not seem to erase from my mind and has deeply saddened me, and so many others around our community.
Sam, my husband, immediately took action and sent me to the car with the children. He called the father, Shane, who was not there when the accident occurred. He informed Shane, that there was an accident. He kept him calm and remained on the phone with him until Shane safely reached childrenʼs hospital where his daughter had been medi-flighted.
Since then, we have come to know Carrie and Shane Montgomery, the parents of little Zoe. We attended Zoeʼs funeral and it truly was the saddest funeral I personally have ever attended. There was not a dry eye in that church. This was a day that NO one should ever have to go through. NO parent should ever have to burry their 18 month old angel. NO parent.
So, with that said I feel obligated to tell you why I am writing you and what I am asking of you. We, as parents, save for our child's first car, we save for their college education, but no parent is ever saving for their babyʼs funeral. These parents have been told by several people that they would be assisted with little Zoeʼs medical and funeral expenses. Since then, those people have reneged and the Montgomeryʼs are left with so much to pay for and are unsure of how they are going to do this. They need help. They need our help. And I am hoping you and I together can help them.
I have been very effected by all of this and I want to do all I can to see that this family is helped as much as possible by our community. I can only hope that if I were in this same situation, that my community would band together and help my family. You never know what is in store for us, someday your family could need the help like the Montgomeryʼs need. I have opened a fund for Zoe at Republic Bank in trust. The fund is called Zoe Madeline Montgomery Memorial Fund. I have set this fund up in hopes to raise as much money as possible to help this family out.
So I am asking you for help. Any monetary donation, big or small, would mean so much to this family. My fundraiser has just begun and I am hoping that with your help, we can make the burden on this family a little easier. Should you decide to give money, you can either take it straight to Republic Bank, or if it is easier, you can put it in the mail to me. I would even be more than happy to come pick up the donation from you. What ever is easiest for you, I will do in order to get this family as much as help as we can. Should you choose to give, please make it known at the bank to put your name on the deposit as the family would like to thank you personally. In an effort to raise as much money possible, we have even made it to where it is tax deductible.
There is one more thing I am asking of you. Of all you, whether you decide to donate after reading this letter or not. Stop. Just stop in your busy day of the hustle and bustle and realize that life is short. You never know what tomorrow is going to bring you, or not bring you. Tell your family and friends you love them. Hug and kiss your children and give them just one extra squeeze tightly. Smile at your neighbors. Take the time and live for today. It is in times like these that you realize you are never promised tomorrow. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Lisa Talley
405.613.3793
3813 Elie Street
Norman, OK 73072