Rockit in Chicago, IL -- June 21, 2007

[chitowngirl]

iwomusic said:

I'm buying a ticket weather-or-not I can go [img src="lovehammersecards.com/MCorg/smilies/thumbsup.gif"]

[/IMG]
Might be something others may consider as well [img src="lovehammersecards.com/MCorg/smilies/friends.gif"][/IMG] [/quote]

That is a great idea!

I am just not sure you will be able to buy a ticket other than at the door. I'll try to look into this.

[rachael]

chitowngirl said:

iwomusic said:

I'm buying a ticket weather-or-not I can go [img src="lovehammersecards.com/MCorg/smilies/thumbsup.gif"]

[/IMG]
Might be something others may consider as well [img src="lovehammersecards.com/MCorg/smilies/friends.gif"][/IMG] [/quote]

That is a great idea!

I am just not sure you will be able to buy a ticket other than at the door. I'll try to look into this. [/quote]Thanks for doing that Chi....I was kind of thinking the same thing. I ckd the myspace site and it doesn't show that we can buy a ticket online.

[BL]

I'll be there with bells on.

Penny, I'd be willing to meet up with you. How will I recognize you?

[Kari]

I just talked to Kenny Rife, Craig's brother, yesterday and he's blown away and so appreciative of the support of this board.

I let him know that people who can't attend have said they still want to be able to help. He's a bit over whelmed with this, it's still hard for him. He's sd he going to talk to Bobby about the silent auction and get the info on that and I'll pass that on.

I'm going to talk to him again today. I've got some ideas for him and I'll keep you posted.


Thanks
Kari (Debbie)

[BL]

Thanks Kari.
We appreciate the updates.

[HY]

Thanks, Kari, for all the information updates. Hopefully there are ways everyone on the boards can help out.

[klees]

Thanks for keeping us updated Kari. I'd love to help any way I can.

[kbgirlref]

I'll be there. I'm gonna take off work around 11 am and make the drive. I'd be happy to meet up with people when I get there. It's about a 6-7 hour drive. If anyone needs a roommate, let me know. I'll be staying the night.

Though I don't know the Rife family at all, I feel horrible for what they've been thru. My heart goes out to them.

[Kari]

Hey all,

I talked to Kenny yesterday and he's meeting up with LH this weekend to go over the details for ROCKIT!

I should be able to get you some specifics next week! I did get a hint about a silent auction item that I know a few of you would absolutely love to have ! Stay tuned and as always, and most importantly THANK YOU!

[rachael]

Kari, thanks so much for the updates.

[rockfan]

Thanks for the info, Kari. I know there are alot of us who would help out regardless if we are going or not.

[Joan S]

I'll definitely be there!

[IWOmusic]

Thanks for the update Kari

[lesley]

Thanks again from me too, Kari.

[sjjo1973]

Thanks Kari for the update!

[kimberly87]

You Chicagoans (? ha ha) are wearing me out! and here I thought living in LA was where I'd get to be around all the excitement!!!

[Kari]

Many of you have been asking me for more information about the benefit for Craig Rife. With permission from Craig’s brother Kenny I’d like to share the Rife’s story with you from my experience.

I've know the Rife family since I was about 10 years old. My relationship with them is basically through my brother Mike. The family had 3 sons Kenny, Glenn and Craig.

Kenny, Glenn and Mike grew up together from grade school through high school. Glenn was my brother Mike’s best friend. If the three of us were on a sinking ship and there was only one life preserver, Mike would have said, “Debbie, you were on the swim team, JUMP.” and passed the life preserver to Glenn.

Kenny and Glenn did everything together. If you saw Kenny, you found Glenn, when you found Glenn, Mike was never far behind. Their mom Michelle always had a house full of boys. They grew up with the typical trials and tribulations, pranks and heartbreaks. Maybe there were a bit more of the tribulations and pranks; but there was always fun, everything from camping trips to toga parties. Glenn and Kenny married with Mike standing up at both weddings. Eventually all three even went into the same profession.

On a rainy day in September of 1996 a semi truck driver inadvertently pulled out of a truck dock without looking. Unable to stop on the slick pavement Glenn’s work van slid underneath the truck killing him instantly. Kenny was the one who had to tell his mom that Glenn was gone. Glenn was only 26 years old. He left behind a wife and 3 children under 2 years old, 2 year old twins and a 9-week-old baby girl.

When Glenn died not only did his family lose a husband and a father, Kenny lost his brother and best friend, Craig lost his brother, a mother and father lost a son and Mike lost his best friend; countless lost a friend …
and there was a gaping hole left in this world.

That house full of boys also had Craig, Marty, Bobby and Dino running around it. They went to grade school, played little league baseball and made it through high school together. Marty and Craig even doubled dated for Prom.

Craig and Bobby were roommates at the University of Illinois where Craig got his nickname “Kevorkian”. Whenever the Lovehammers needed a place to stay, Craig’s place was, and still is, their home away from home.

Craig approached everything he did with gusto, he worked hard and he played hard. He didn’t just graduate from college, he graduated with double degrees and then went on to earn his masters degree. At the time of his death Craig was volunteering through De Paul University to help educate the homeless. He helped the homeless set up resumes and develop skills to interview for jobs. Education was pivotal in Craig’s life, his mantra was read, learn, educate.

Craig was an avid outdoorsman, he loved music and he was the ultimate joker! Craig filled his life with what he loved. He spent time with his friends and his family and always devoted time to his nieces and nephews.

This February Craig and Kenny were snowmobiling when Craig’s snowmobile hit something and Craig flew off the snowmobile. He hit a tree about 4 inches in diameter and his neck was broken. Kenny was again faced with the horrifying task of telling his mother that his brother had died.

I will never, never forget Michelle's face as she walked behind Craig’s coffin leaving church the morning of his funeral. No parent should ever have to experience the loss of a child. To experience this tragedy once is terrible, but twice … there are no words to justify it. Kenny has a wonderful supportive wife, two beautiful sons and good friends. Thankfully his family and friends are there for him.

I can’t stop thinking about Kenny and Michelle, and all of the Rife family. I wonder how are they going to get through this again. Even now l think about what would it be like if Glenn were still here. I struggle to understand why this family, why such good people, why so much pain? Just one small moment in time, what if… if only… why…?

To help Craig’s family a trust account has been set up for his estate and donations can be sent to:

Craig A Rife Trust

C/o Ken Rife
8065 Yorkshire Lane
Monee, IL 60449

Or sent to Paypal account: Paypal.com [e-mail]

Thank you, Kari (Debbie)

[rockfan]

Thank you Kari for posting your story and for the information on how we can help. It's all so sad.

[rachael]

Kari,
Thanks for sharing a bit of history The Rife family and your relationship to them. I was wondering how we could contribute that are unable to attend the benefit. Thank you for giving us an opportunity to help out. Such a tragedy to happen to one family which also affects extended family and friends.
*hugs*

[rockbeast]

Thanks for sharing that Kari, I had no idea. Wow. I am going to try and make it to the benefit. I didnt even know about it because I was so busy moving and all that and then Hammercruise, but now that I am getting caught up, I have to get on top of the airfare.

Scott/RB