Give the Gift of Life This Holiday Season

Only one week until the 2nd annual “#3 Ryan Salmons blood drive

Give the gift of life this holiday season.

The 2nd Annual “#3 Ryan Salmons Day of Giving” takes place on Saturday, December 4th, from 8:30 am – 2:30 pm in the gymnasium at Memorial Baptist Church (2435 Eakin Road – SW Columbus). The event features a blood drive in memory of our favorite Blue Jacket. If you wish to donate but have not yet signed up, please do so NOW as slots are limited. A double red cell machine will also be available for interested and qualified donors. Walk-in’s are welcome but with priority given to appointments.

All donors will be entered into a raffle to win a Columbus Blue Jacket prize package, which includes two tickets to see the Jackets on Saturday, Feb. 5th, dinner at the Time Warner lounge and a team autographed hockey stick. Additional tickets can be purchased for $5 each or three (3) for $10. All contributions benefit the Ryan Salmons Foundation and are 100% tax deductible.

Tickets will be available at the event and can also be purchased in advance by emailing the address below. You need not be present to win.

1. Click Here to Sign Up Today!*
2. Then, click the "Enter a Sponsor Code" link (blue button on left)
3. Enter the Sponsor Code: ryansalmons

If you have any questions or experience difficulty with the e-donor registration, email RyanSalmonsDayofGiving@yahoo.com

Announcing the 2nd Annual Ryan Salmons Blood Drive

On Saturday, December 4th, from 8:30 am – 2:30 pm, the # 3 “Refuse To Lose” blood drive in memory of Ryan will again take place at Memorial Baptist Church, located at 2435 Eakin Road, Columbus, Ohio.

December is an extremely challenging time for the American Red Cross (ARC). Yet the need during the winter season is constant. The results from last year’s drive were fantastic. The ARC collected 68 pints of blood (25 from first time donors), which benefitted the lives of 198 patients in central Ohio. We hope to exceed that goal this year. Double red cell machines will also be available. However, ARC resources are limited and must be scheduled well in advance so sign up now, do not delay. For your convenience, sign-up online today to reserve your donation appointment.

If you donate on or before October 9, 2010, you may be eligible to donate again at this event (August 14th if you previously gave double red cells). Teens age 16 years of age can also donate, provided they meet certain criteria and have a parent or guardian sign a written consent form. Forms will be available at the event or can be obtained in advance by submitting a request to the email address below.

A raffle for a Columbus Blue Jacket prize package will also be drawn at the end of the event. The winner will receive the following:

• Two tickets to see a Jackets home game in early 2011 (game TBD)
• Two pre-game dinner buffets in the Time Warner HD Lounge
• An autographed hockey stick

This year, tickets can be purchased in advance. Additional prizes donated by local vendors will also be raffled. You do not need to be present to win. Tickets are $5 each or three (3) for $10 and contributions are tax deductible. Ryan Salmons merchandise will also be available for purchase. All proceeds from both the raffle and merchandise sales will benefit the Ryan Salmons Foundation.

To purchase raffle tickets in advance, email RyanSalmonsDayofGiving@yahoo.com for details. You may also email to sign up to donate blood manually, inquire about the event or to obtain a flier of the event to post or forward to others that might be interested. For ARC information about donor eligibility or donor facts, access www.givelife.org.

On behalf of the American Red Cross and the Ryan Salmons Foundation, thank you in advance for your support.

Car Show, Friday, July 30th, 2010, for Ryan

Today is a very tough day for our family. Today would have been Ryan's 21st birthday. Words have not come easy. Ryan, I am happy that you are no longer dealing with the pain, but I miss you so much!

Mark Thomas and his Corvette Club are putting on a Car Show tomorrow night at Bob Evan's on Cleveland Ave. All proceeds will be donated to The Ryan Salmons Foundation. It is open to all types of cars, regardless of the make or year. Bob Evan's will be donating proceeds from outside food sales, and Mark will have cards that will allow Ryan's foundation to receive 15% of food purchases inside. Please feel free to stop in and view the cars. Details are listed below:

Bob Evan's at 6193 Cleveland Ave., 614-882-3254

Car show time is 5pm to 9pm, open to all makes and models

Entry fee is $5.00/car

50/50 raffle, prizes, etc.

We hope you can bring your car or stop by and enjoy others.

Ride for Ryan - This Saturday, May 15

Reminder - The Benefit Ride is this weekend! Last year, we had over one hundred participants...everyone had a great time, for a great cause. The weather is supposed to be nice, so come on out and ride!

What: Ryan Salmons Memorial Ride
Date: May 15, 2010 (Rain Date: May 16, 2010)
Time: 12:00 p.m.
Place: Meet at Walmart on Stringtown Road, North Lot

All Proceeds go to the Ryan Salmons Foundation. For more information contact Kenneth Vaido at 614-419-2404

One Year Ago Today......

I have tried to think of words to say and put out here on our blog. 1 year later, I still can't find any words to describe how I feel. But oh what a difference a year makes. This has by far been the hardest year of my life. It seems like so long ago that I last saw my son, but I can't believe it has already been a year. I can't believe that it has been almost 3 months since I have lost my dad.

I would like to thank everyone that have worked so hard over the past year to keep Ryan's spirit alive. We have done some wonderful things in Ryan's memory and continue to focus on helping families fighting pediatric cancer. We have received our 501 (c) 3 status, and have been able to affect many children's lives. With the support of the community, we have been able to purchase 30, 26 inch LCD TVs for the J5 unit at Children's. We have sent families to The Harlem Globetrotters, Disney on Ice, The Wiggles, and The Columbus BlueJackets games. We have been able to give Halloween bags filled with many different treats and toys to all children on the floor during the Halloween time. To see the kids after they have had the time away, it has helped me cope with the loss of my boy. We have more ideas of ways to help these kids and look forward to seeing these ideas come to life.

I guess the easy way out is for me to quote the words of Toby Keith. He wrote this song for his friend, Wayman Tisdale that died two weeks after Ryan. If you have never heard the song, please listen to it. Ryan, I love you, miss you tremendously, but am glad that you are pain free!

Cryin for Me by Toby Keith

Got the news on Friday mornin’
But a tear I couldn’t find
You showed me how I’m supposed to live
And now you showed me how to die
I was lost till Sunday mornin’
I woke up to face my fear
While I’m writing you this goodbye song
I found a tear

I’m gonna miss that smile
I’m gonna miss you my friend
Even though it hurts the way it ended up
I’d do it all again
So play it sweet in heaven
‘Cause that’s right where you wanna be
I’m not crying 'cause I feel so sorry for you
I’m crying for me

Event Announcement: Ride for Ryan

Benefit Ride! All Proceeds go to the Ryan Salmons Foundation.

What: Ryan Salmons Memorial Ride

Date: May 15, 2010 (Rain Date: May 16, 2010)

Time: 12:00 p.m.

Place: Meet at Walmart on Stringtown Road, North Lot

For more information contact Kenneth Vaido at 614-419-2404.

Carlos Salmons 1941 - 2010

It is with a very heavy heart that we share that our Dad, Carlos "Grandpa" Salmons, unexpectedly passed away Feb. 9 at 4:30 p.m. He is now with Ryan. As everyone who knew Carlos would attest, he was the most generous, loving, kind, dedicated man. We appreciate all of your prayers at this most very difficult time.

CARLOS SALMONS
Carlos Lee Salmons, age 68, of Columbus, Ohio, passed away Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at his home with his wife of 47 years by his side. Carlos was a member of West Broad Church of the Nazarene and retired after 43 years with NAPA. Carlos was preceded in death by his grandson Ryan Michael Salmons. Survivors include his wife, Margaret; sons Bradley W. (Susan), Barry A. (Amy); grandchildren Alaina, Alex and Josh. Family and friends may visit on Friday from 4-8 PM at THE SPENCE-MILLER FUNERAL HOME 2697 Columbus St. Grove City. Funeral service will be held Saturday 12:00 PM at Grove City Church of the Nazarene 4770 Hoover Rd. Grove City. Pastors Wayne Beard and Bob Morrison officiating. Interment Sunset Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to The Ryan Salmons Foundation 2107 Gingerwood Court Grove City, Ohio 43123. Online guestbook at www.spencemillerfuneralhome.com

Thank you,
The Salmons Family