Adam, Joanie, and their daughter Terras house has burnt down. They are all safe, and luckily were well insured so as of now, they have a place to stay. However the house was a total loss, and all of their belongings have been taken by the fire. Adam will contact me to let me know what if any assistance can be used; clothes, food, daily ops stuff.. I'll post tomorrow what info he's relayed to me so we can all pull together to help. An excellent suggestion already is for anyone who can afford to, bring $$$ to Childress Buick/Kia (27th ave and Camelback) in the parts dept (one of his jobs) and this will be used immediately for food, water, etc. I'll even ask around my office tomorrow for donations, If you can, I'd suggest you do the same.
Adam is currently our club sec/tres for those who don't know, and is always one of the first to volunteer on mod days. He's always given 100% to the club and unfortunately, right now he, and his family, can use 100% of our support. Can you believe he was even apologizing about not being able to keep the club site up to date in the middle of this? Let's try and make their lives a little easier, I know he'd offer for us..

That totally sucks!

Adam helped me with my PML without even knowing me.

I'm a little (over)extended buying crap for my X, but I'll scrape together a little something.

God bless!

I spoke to Ty about this earlier.

Mine & Lindsays thoughts are with you guys.

We have tons of baby clothes that will fit Terra if she needs em? I also have quite alot of 'Thin' clothes from when I used to be Thin that would probably fit Adam. Including some Brand New jeans (34 or 36" waist) and a ton of shirts etc.

I'm also good for some cash, but getting it over to Childress during the daytime won't be so easy.

I'll see what I can do about an extended lunch tomorrow or Friday to run over there.

Any and all help is appreciated for Adam and his family. As Dan said, you can drop off anything you want to get to Adam here at Childress. I will make sure it gets to him. Bring it to the part's department and ask for Mike. For some of you that don't know me, I started the AZXC and manage the department here at Childress, I am also Adam's supervisor.

We are gathering items from our employees to get to the family. Adam needs his friends now more than imaginable and anything you can help with is huge. I'm sure you all can figure how devastating the situation is coming home and only having left the clothes and items you had with you when you left for work that morning.

Thanks for any help you can give.

Mike

I live right across the freeway from Childress & work in Ahwatukee (I-10 & Elliot) and wouldn't mind shuttling stuff across town.

Is Childress aware that we are going to be bringing stuff by? If they're staying near by I can take stuff straight to them.

Holy sh*t... sorry dude, that sucks! Glad to hear you're all okay though.

Hey, anybody know how old is Terra now? We're in the middle of a move this week, but if I can gather up any clothes that might fit her I'd be happy to help in any way I can. I'm sure the insurance claim won't be as speedy as you'd hope.

My "Terra" is only 10 months, but my 4 year-old has a trail of hand-me-downs boxed up around the house that might work. Anybody know her age/clothing size?

Dang....

I believe Terra is 2 now, she looked to be about a 2T when I saw her a few weeks ago. That's my best guess at size anyway. My daughter just turned 3, so we have tons of 2T / 24 month clothes and shoes laying around too.

Sounds great. So, if whoever speaks to him next wants to ask if they need/want any clothes for her, wanna post up back here or call me?

(My number is at the bottom of this page: http://www.scottsdale-properties.com/ ) Lv a msg and it'll page me immediately saying I have a message. or call my cell "six-oh-two" - 790 - zero two nine seven.

I've got my daughter going thru her closet right now. Some of it might be a little big, but she'll grow into it.

Our thoughts are with Adam and family.

We'll be waiting for a list of items needed.

Linda and are keeping him and family in our thoughts and prayers. We have plenty of furniture and would be willing to donate to Adam and his family for their new home. I will be stopping by Childress tomorrow in the morning with a monetary gift.

We've got to get Adam squared away, I've got parts on the way. j/k

I actually feel kinda bad considering Adam's situation.

Mike, I won't be getting to the dealership until after the parts deptment is closed (7:30 or so). Who would I ask about accepting Adam's care package?

You can drop stuff off in the showroom at the desk straight across from the operator desk. Just tell the guys to give it to me in parts for Adam. Or...if you leave something, just post here and I'll know it's up there.

Thanks again, I know Adam will appreciate everything you guys do for him and his family.

Anyone know what size Adam and his wife are?

He's a skinny fawker isn't he? Well, it just so happens I USED to be

We'll get some clothes and money together.

I was just thinking too- with all of us pitching in for clothes, poor Adam is going to be wearing Xterra shirts every damn day!

What do you guys have to wear at work there Mike? Khaki's and a polo, jeans or nice button up shirts?

We've got some AZ Run shirts and I'll bring a check as well. Won't be a lot, but anything helps, right?

Mike, are you at work Friday afternoon late...like around 4-4:30?

Sending Lindsay (The wife) out there tomorrow on her day off. She will be bringing some Clothes / Toys for Terra, plus some of my old 'Thin' clothes for Adam, Shirts & Jeans & Some T-shirts etc. Should be good for work clothes.

For anyone not comfortable leaving cash, Adams last name is Merriman for checks etc.

Not to get too personal, but when you say 'thin', you mean 150 lbs, 175, ? I didn't stare at him too close last time I saw him and it's been a while, so I don't know what size he might wear.

I'm 5' 11", 160-ish so y'all think that size might fit him? If so, I'll add that to the big box(es).

Yeaa, I'd estimate 175'ish.

I'm now 230lbs (Give or take a couple), so no fitting in a 34" / 36" waist pair of jeans for me anymore. Like I did back when I moved here from England.

I just spoke with Adam. He and his family are doing well. He wanted me to express to everyone that he is deeply appreciative of all the offers of help and assistance. He mentioned that in the next couple of weeks he will be needing to clean out the house and the garage. I know I will be helping.

He did tell me that all the clothes in dressers didn't burn but has smoke damage. They will be trying to salvage those.

I'm very sorry to hear this I'm glad to see everyone pull together for a member. I have a trunk in one of our closets with stuffed animals I've been hanging onto since I was small...unfortuantely the lock on it is stuck but if I can get Alex to pick at it or break it open I can bag them up for the little girl

Don't worry about work clothes for him, we have uniforms here at work. I'm sure he won't mind Xterra shirts

I normally am only here at Childress until 4pm. I've been around a little longer since Adam hasn't been here so I'll probably be around. Give me a call on my cell if you're coming and I'll make sure I stick around...602-677-5025

I talked to Adam this morning and apparently some of you have called to offer help. He told me how lucky he was to have such good friends.

I'll head that way after work tomorrow...I'll try to get there by 4.

Unfortunately most of the clothes my daughter came up with are winter stuff we hadn't given her cousin yet.

I'll be by late (after 7pm) with some pocket money. Cash is always the right size!

I went to the top bod in our PR department, they are all about good local PR, so maybe they will help. If not, it was worth a shot.

My daughters are almost 5 and 1.5. Both have quite a few clothes they dont wear plus way too many toys. Let me know what there needs are and I'll see what I can do. I would like to help them out with what they need.

We have twins a boy and a girl now 11 and would also like to help with cloths let us know what is needed and we will try to put something togather.Baby on up to present.

I can't imagine what this must be like. We'd like to help out. Is there a mailing address we can send a Target or WalMart gift card to? You guys are in our prayers...

Childress Automall
attn Mike Robinson
2223 W. Camelback Rd
Phoenix AZ 85015

This is Adam's work address for now. I say for now because he is changing jobs and going back into the computer data field as of 7/10. This is probably the best address for right now to send anything to as we receive daily UPS, Fed Ex, and DHL shipments. Other than the mail, everything comes in through my department. The mail goes through the business office and everyone is very aware of Adam's situation and will get anything sent here immediately to me for him.

Adam will be back to work tomorrow, Friday, and will be posting back on the XOC through his work computer. He hasn't been on for the last couple of days as the fire took his home computer equipment along with most everything else. If he has a better address to send to I'm sure he will share it with everyone.

Anything already brought to me or given to Dan will be in Adam's hands tomorrow as he returns to work. I was going to deliver it tonight but he said he would be back tomorrow and he would get it then.

I'm hoping we can get a list of needed items up soon after his return. I've had a lot of people ask me what the family needs for now but I just don't have the answers yet. Hopefully in talking to Adam tomorrow I will have a better idea and possibly get a list posted for all the XOC'ers that want to help. I've already had several calls from XOC members outside the AZXC wanting to send things, you are wonderful people. I know that it will touch their hearts with all your outpouring of support and caring.

Thank you.

You guys are the BEST!!!

I can't beleive the outpouring of support from everyone that I've been in contact with, and to read the posts I've seen made me swell with pride and gratitude that I have never experienced in my life before.

I am so grateful that I have so many wonderful friends and have so much to be thankful for. No one was hurt in or fighting the fire, I have a great Mom, who's allowing me to stay with her, my two dogs and two birds survived. I purchased Renters insurance just after moving in and the list goes on.

I have so much to do and go through, cataloging and identifying replacement value for the irreplacable belongings that I had accumulated and dragged with me for the last 33yrs. Most of which are just burned to nothing.

Again Thank you and I will be posting up a "Wish list" as soon as I can dig through the rubble and sort the bad from good.

Sincerley,
Adam Merriman

Well, Adam, you told me you wanted to clean out all that junk. Most folks just have a yard sale, but a fire certainly is one way to go.

Glad to hear the pets made it. I did think about them earlier in the week. That would have added another whole miserable experience to an already hellish one if you lost those guys too.

Here is a very basic initial list of clothes sizes for anyone that has a donation for the Merriman family-

Terra (guess where they got the name )-

Top size 2T-3T
Bottom size 24-2T

Joannie-

Both top and bottom woman's size 24

Adam-

Pant's size 32W x 33-34L
Shirt size XL

Adam says they are all OK on shoes so those aren't on the list.

As stated...a very basic list of clothes sizes needed. As far as other "stuff" goes...I will post another list of things lost as they sort through the house and compile items they are in need of. I can say for right now that the majority of their household items were lost so if you have anything you are about to get rid of that you are no longer in need of or have replaced but is still in working order....I know the family would appreciate it. Items can either be dropped off or sent to Childress at the address posted previously in this thread.

Once again I thank everyone for all they are willing to do for the Merrimans, they can use all they help they can get in their time of need.

Mike

I sent a few pairs of jeans with 34W, you'll have to wear a belt with em you skinny git!

Lindsay will be dropping off some clothes, toys and bits n pieces for Joannie later.

WalMart card and a stuffed animal for Terra are on the way to Childress.

I know it's not much, but a Walmart card is on the way. So very sorry for your loss.

X2.

Thoughts and prayers going out as well.

Adam,

I'm sorry to here about the fire. Glad that nobody was hurt. I wish I was there to help out, but thank goodness the rest of the club is there and helping out in many different ways.

Take care.

I know this is on the other side of the country, and may be none of my business, but I will watch this thread for a list of things, and send what we can to help. I will start asking people here to think about what they can do to help out. Mail and UPS work great.

So....I will watch this thread and see what needs we can help with. And please let me know if anything comes up that we can help with in the meantime.

And please let those affected know that they are in our thoughts.

EDIT: Nevermind....I asked about the address and name for sending something now. I just now saw it on page 2.....sorry about that.

Ugh, been out of town all week. Adam and family, sorry about your loss. We will do what we can to help. Will keep my eyes peeled for your wish list.

Mark

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. May God bless your family.
Scott

Its always a hard thing to watch someone fight through a tragity such as the one you have just been through. I'd like to do what i can to help as well. Going out to town this weekend, but will check back here when i return for things i can do to help.

I'm sure we'll be looking at a cleanup effort in a week or two.

Adam,
Let me know when you are ready to sort through and try to salvage. I am off 2 of every 3 days, and will lend my fat, lazy ass to some manual labor in 110 degree heat.........

Damn Adam,
I'm sorry to hear about this. Happy to hear that the entire family was ok. I'll do what I can to help from over here and have something sent your way.

Georgie

Sorry for the tragedy, I guess Wal Mart is the closest thing since thats all thats headed your way, so we'll have one on the way as well. Take care of yourselves.

I had the opportunity to go through everything that was sent my way this weekend and I feel so lucky to have so many people that care about us. Terra absolutely loved the toys and I can't express through words how much it lifted us to see her so happy.

I feel so lucky to have you as my friends.
You guys helped to bring me up beyond anything I could have hoped for. This devistation has brought my family and friends closer and has made me look at the world in a completely new way.

In a morbid way, I'm glad this happened to us. We have so much more to be grateful for and we will not take for granted our place in life, as it is so precious. I only hope that I will be in a position to return the favor someday.

In a couple of weeks I will be needing assistance to put all of my Garage (Which made it through unscathed) and salvageable belongings into a storage container that I will have put in my driveway and any help will be greatly appreciated. I will keep you informed as I have internet access.

Again we thank you all from the bottom of our hearts hope you have a wonderful and safe weekend.

Sincerely,
Adam, Joannie and Terra Merriman

Adam - (or if anyone else knows since I doubt Adam is on the board all that much right now)

Do you need a kitchen/dining room table? We have one we're about to sell on Craigs list, but you can have it if you need it. Its light pine, seats 6, and has 6 chairs that match. Top is stained but it just needs to be refinished, which should be easy with that wood.

Mark

As of right now Adam does not have anywhere to put anything since they are living with his mom.

If he wants it and its free, I can store it until they have someplace to put it.

That would be great. Our house is small, and we don't really have any place to put it

Mark

Mine too - But the wifes grandmother can store it at her place in her back room no problem. Now we just need to see if he wants it!

If you guys have any other furniture or anything larger you need to store, I have an entire 2,300 sf house that's available in the next week or two that could be a holding spot as well. (100th & Sweetwater).

If anything, the house will looked like it's somewhat "staged" for when the "for sale" sign goes up in a few weeks.

Just let me know.

Thanks Guys.

I just signed the papers to lease a house in the same neighborhood for approx 10 months, I'll definately take the table, however I don't know when exactly I'll be able to pick it up.

I'm moving in this weekend if anyone wants to lend a hand, but there really isn't a whole lot to move at the moment until I get my Garage ready for moving.

I really can use help next weekend with the Garage portion and this weekend will just be the basic living stuff that I have to go out and purchase or relocate from my Mom's Condo. The insurance company as of yesterday is footing the bill so I'm good there. This makes me have a huge sigh of relief, for it wasn't until yesterday afternoon that we knew for sure.

Thank you everyone for your generosity!

Cell 602 799-8409, until we get a land line.
New address for now: 4008 W Maryland, Phoenix, AZ 85019,
Old address: 3940 W Claremont St, Phoenix, AZ 85019

I'll hopefully see you tonight if you're able to make it, I may be running a little behind too.

Adam,
I can help you move tomorrow if you need help. next weekend I work Sat, but can help after I get off shift Sunday morning.

Just let me know what you need.

I'm available tomorrow morning and anytime on Sunday this weekend. Then next weekend I'm good all day Saturday & Sunday.

My Cell: 602-214-5403

I've got two large parcels of clothing for you and the family, (more from my office) to deliver tonight. See ya' at 7:30 or so.

I've got toys.

Probably more kid clothes too.

What's the plan for this Saturday? Where do we meet? What time?

I spoke with Adam tonite and have the address to his new house. He is asking that people show up between 7-8am. Of course, if you have to get there later he won't turn away the help. I won't be there until 12-1pm due to sleep/work schedule.

His new home addy is as follows:

4008 W Maryland
Phoenix, AZ 85019

If you need his cell number please pm and I will pm back the number. I don't want to post it on the net.

See y'all on Saturday.

As much as I hate getting up early, I hate working in the heat even more. See y'all there!

I propose we allocate some club funds for Soda / Ice / Water / Snacks for this event.

I'll be there bright & early and can bring a large cooler if needed.

It was going to be a surprise, but I'm going to bring a couple of coolers full of ice & bottled water.

I propose we use some club funds to pay back Pluvo for the Ice / Bottled Water.

Actually it's being donated from work...they just don't know that.

Seriously, we've got an ice machine at work. It's all good.

Cool..I mean literally...cool.

Well guys, we did it. Got the majority of stuff moved. I know that I am glad I could be there to help ya Adam.

Yep - sorry I couldn't get there earlier, but wanted to at least drop off the clothes/toys and some cold h2o/beer. Had to take all my girls to the airport this morning.

Adam/Joanie - looks like I can get a good sofa (big enough to sleep on, but not a god-awful hide-a-bed). Also a big chair/ottoman, as well as a queen matress that's hardly used (a fellow Realtor's daughter had it for a short time - we'll leave going on a tangent on that one for a later time. )

Also, a couple lamps too.

Let me know if you want all/some of this stuff and I can probably get it Monday or Tuesday-ish with my trailer.

I'm finishing up my move and found a microwave in our attic too. You want it?

Edit: a twin mattress and box spring as well.

I'll call you guys on Monday if I don't hear from you online.

Ahh the Beer, My favorite Mex Brew, Thank You! Only I didn't discover it until Sunday.

I Really appreciate all the help you guys provided, it truly was awsome to have so many people helping and to do it by myself would have been terrible.

JohnnyX, You're more than welcome to bring over whatever fits on your trailer, we'll find room for it.

Thanks Scott for the Desk, I'll get this up and running and with luck I'll have internet from home in a few days.

Well it's time for work so, Thank you everyone.

Adam, Joannie and Terra Merriman

I'll pile it on then!!

Should be in the next 2-3 days at most. My work schedule is a bit slammed, but I'll make time to get this stuff to you as quick as I can.

Okay, looks like I'm gathering up the entire load around 4pm today.

You guys around not too long after that?

I think I'll be home around 5:- So I'll be there to help unload. Thanks!

Great. I'll be by after 5-ish.

Hey Adam...

I've got your check and some things people have dropped off / mailed in for you. Stop by when you can.

Hey Mike...
I'll stop by tonight, around 4:30. I have to get gas and pick up my kiddo, you're on the way.
Thanks,
Adam

Adam, Joanie and Terra, sorry to hear about your situation. We just moved the family out to Maricopa so a lot of our stuff is still in boxes, but I know we have some items we could donate to you. It may take a few weeks to get through our boxes. I do have a friend who went through her closet so I have some clothes for Joanie. I work at Rural/Warner Tuesday thru Saturday and don't have a real good idea when I would be up by your place. Is there anyone in the area who could transfer these items for me to Adam.

I'm at I-10 & Elliot tomorrow (Saturday) if that's close enough I'd be happy to do it. I'll PM you my number.

Post Copied from N4W:
I thank you all for the support, above all the words of encouragement and condolences have been worth more than anything.

We have sorted through everything that was donated, (Holy Cow!) and feel that to take any more will be excessive. Please if you've gathered up some clothes or other items, donate them to your favorite charity. I for one, now know the tragedy and the heartfelt comfort that a simple gift, toys, etc. can make one feel.

Especially the toys, my daughter made it real hard to feel the despair that clouded my mind when she got to play with the new toys. She fortunately is too young to understand that she lost all her stuff and it seems like it is an early Christmas for her.

Please help others too, I will be giving a lot more to charity than I had in the past.

Anything that we took and aren't going to be able to use is going to Goodwill this weekend.

Again we can't say enough about you all and the gratitude that we feel. I only hope to be in a position to return the favor in the near future.

Pictures will be up sometime this weekend, I started looking at them last night and couldn't do it.

I'm going to go garage sale'ing this weekend to see if I can get a used dresser or two and a couple of night stands. This is all I really need for now.

Joannie can use the Clothes, just let me know where I may be able to pick them up.

Thank you so much!
Sincerly,
Adam, Joannie and Terra Merriman
Rental Addr.
4008 W. Maryland
Phoenix, AZ 85019
Old Addr.
3940 W. Claremont St.

Pluvo offered to be the middle man for me. I will be dropping off some clothes for Joanie with him tomorrow. Glad to here things are coming back together for your family Adam.

Here's some pictures my brother took.









What Torched my Computer Room...

Wow - it melted the CPU in the computer. That's some serious heat!

Hi adam we have never meet but i have been reading and keeping up with the post. I would like to tell you how sorry i am for your lost. I use to live in Whittier which is just out of L.A. and I have been in a couple of earthquakes and I know how it hard it can be on a family. I was wondering do you know what caused the fire?. It is amazing how much comfort you can find in your kids even when they do not know what is going on. It is reassuring life goes on and things will be fine. Best of luck to you and your family. Scott