Dustin Blake Memorial Fund

I first met Dustin almost 20 years ago when he came to work with my husband Steve.  Dustin was starting a new chapter in life, and he was filled with energy and spirit like no other.  We watched him meet his future wife Kim and fall head over heels in love.  They went to our wedding.  We went to theirs.  Kim and Dustin started a family.  Over the years, they have been the most caring and hardest working people we know.  Kim works three jobs to help provide for her family, working part time in a school kitchen then cleaning parking lots at a couple shopping centers and doing painting and cleaning at a commercial building as needed.  Her jobs provide no health insurance and few benefits.  Having no insurance on her own jobs, she was insured by her late husband.

She has two teenage sons, one still at home, and hers is the house where the boys’ friends gather. She and her husband opened their home and hearts to one of the boys who now lives with them most of the time where Kim provides guidance, love and a place to call home.
Kim gives to others and teaches her sons to do the same. They sometimes make up huge batches of sandwiches to hand out to the homeless in Portland. Several years ago when I needed a kidney transplant, Kim organized an auction to help pay for my kidney donor’s expenses. When friends or family need something, Kim and her boys are there to help. 

This is our chance to help them.  Please join me and my family and let's give Kim the support she so very much needs right now.  Thank you with all my heart, and all of Dustin's heart.