Give Devon a ride Fundraiser in Grace Idaho

Good morning all,

The "Give Devon a Ride" Fundraiser was a huge success. Thank you all for coming out and supporting this family. If you were there I hope you had a great time, and if you've sent donations, thank you as well. Below is the coverage of the event, and the article that was published in the Idaho State Journal today (Monday April 18, 2011)

By Michael Farnworth

For the Journal

GRACE— When the "Give Devon a Ride" fundraiser was said and done, there was more than one winner. A volleyball team from Preston, and assembled by Andrea Larson won the nine team double elimination volleyball tournament. Brian Jorgensen of Grace won the trip to Hawaii, Josh Gibbs won the side of beef, and the Grace High School boys varsity basketball team beat the faculty team 41 to 36. The biggest winners of the night though, were the community of Grace, and the Christensen family.

"Our family appreciates all of the support," Sue Christensen said, "we would like to send out a special thanks to everyone that came out to support us and Devon."

By the end of Saturday night, the community of Southeast Idaho had handed out more than $14,000 in donations that will be used to purchase a van with a wheelchair lift for the Christensen family. The van is needed to help with transportation of Kim and Sue Christensen's son Devon.

Devon is a 17 year old high school student who has been in a wheelchair his entire life due to the condition of Cerebral Palsy.

"This is just so fantastic," Sue Christensen said, "We've gotten letters and donations from people all over Southeast Idaho. This is just so unreal, and it has lifted Devon's spirits, and I am just so grateful for that."

"It makes me feel really good, and so very happy," Devon Christensen said.

The fundraiser included an items sale that stretched the length of Grace High School's southern hallway, a bake sale, and a silent auction. The items donated for the silent auction ranged from blankets and photographs to Autographed items sent by former Utah Jazz Coach Jerry Sloan, and former Utah Jazz player Deron Williams.

"This just turned out to be so much more than we could have ever expected," Claudia Cook, (Organizer of the event), "This is just absolutely fantastic. We've gotten letters and donations from people we've never met, and ranging from Blackfoot to Montpelier, and the letters that we get, are just so amazing. They tell us that they read about Devon, and it touched their hearts so much that they just wanted to help."

The atmosphere in the high school could have easily rivaled that of an actual high school basketball game with cheering fans, and everyone seemed to be having a great time.

Devon Christensen made his coaching debut as he coached the boys varsity basketball team to victory, and was hoisted triumphantly in celebration by his team members after the game.

"This was just so humbling," Sue Christensen said, "Everyone had such a great time, the mood during the whole thing was just so energetic, and my son Devon had the time of his life."

There will be a 5k run/walk for Devon on April 30 as a second fundraiser. Anyone interested in participating can contact Claudia Cook at 1149 Hegstrom Rd. Grace, Idaho 83241. The Entry fee is $25 per person, and if you register before the run, you will receive a Give Devon a Ride t-shirt. The 5k will begin at the Caribou County fairgrounds located at 1 West 1 North in Grace Idaho at 9 a.m.

Cash donations are still welcome by sending them to 1149 Hegstrom Rd. Grace Idaho 83241.