Hello Class of ’84 friends,

I hope you’re all doing well as the locals among us head into the first heatwave of the summer.

I'm reaching out to you with a heartfelt appeal regarding a matter that holds deep significance for many of us -- the memorials for Charmel up at her church, Mountain Home Methodist on Chehalem.

Many of us didn’t know or didn’t remember that her youth group at the church, which included Scott D., Gregg C, Cathy, Gerry, Danny, Darin, Duane and Laurie S., raised money for Charmel’s reward fund by doing newspaper drives while she was missing. After she was found, they used that money to instead commission two memorials to Charmel at the church: a stained glass window and an outdoor fireplace.

Charmel’s memory lives on through these memorials at her church, a peaceful, beautiful place that is reminiscent of her lively and beautiful spirit.

Now her fireplace needs some restoration work and the church is facing financial challenges that hinder its ability to maintain this important tribute.

During our recent 40th reunion, a group of us visited the memorial and recognized that it requires immediate attention. After a thorough assessment by three different contractors, we've chosen a local brick mason who has a strong reputation and is also emotionally committed to this project. He has offered us the most favorable pricing, and the total cost for the necessary restoration work is $1,900.

This is where we need your help. We believe that it's our responsibility as Charmel's classmates to ensure that her memory is honored and preserved. If not us, then who will take on this important task? We are seeking participation from all of you, whether it be a small contribution or a larger one, to help us reach our goal. The timeline is urgent, as the local expert brick mason, Marc Hayden, has time in his busy summer schedule — this coming week! So we need to schedule the work within the week to get the work done this year.

Let us come together as a class to ensure that Charmel's memory remains alive in our community. We have some plans to get our class together at the fireplace in future gatherings.

Thank you for considering this request with the respect and care it deserves. Together, we can make a lasting impact.

Warm regards,

Robb, Cathy, Ryan