Inaugural Food Harvest by Ray Shay

   

KUSI Morning Show at the 4S Ranch Community Hub.  CEO Jim Floros of the San Diego Food Bank looks on.

  

In our recent company wide meeting we committed to combining a food drive with our Fifth Annual Thank You Run.  Since it was our first year we decided to only include 4000 single family homes or so.

That was when the nervous laugh hit all of us.  Even I wondered how we could possibly accomplish it.  I am not sure who suggested, "let's call our clients and friends."

It is difficult to express the sense of appreciation I felt when within minutes of posting the food drive on Facebook, so many of you volunteered to pass out the grocery bags in your neighborhoods.

It reminded me of what it must have felt like in generations past when a community came together to harvest food.

After the bags were picked up, we had hundreds of them resting on the floor of the Community Hub.  A man who only identified himself as "Jim"  walked up and asked me and Al Steiner for an empty paper bag.  What happened next surprised me. 

Mike Shay and David Flores.

We provided "Jim" with an empty bag and he returned a few minutes later and it was filled to the top with food. He had walked across the parking lot and went into Ralphs Supermarket to buy tuna fish and peanut butter.  
  
I thanked him and I noticed he went next door to Brett's Barbecue.  As I was leaving I told him again about how this week of giving had reminded me about the amazing spirit and generosity of this community and I thought what he had done was pretty darn special.  

About twenty minutes later I got a call from Al who said, "Ray, you wouldn't believe it but Jim returned again.  Guess what? He asked for another paper bag."

The affable KUSI News Reporter Brad Perry visits with Jessica and Derek Breaux

If your wondering, Jim really did walk back across the parking lot and purchase another bag of food for the hungry and dropped it at the Community Hub.  

There are really too many people to thank, but let me assure you that each of you made this holiday a little better for people who are hungry.  You also reminded our family how lucky we are to have each of you as neighbors and friends.  

Jim Floros, the Chief Executive Officer of the San Diego Food Bank was very clear when he said, "Unfortunately hunger does not have a season.  It is year round."   

Support the San Diego Food Bank and other community service organizations.  It is these companies who provide for the less fortunate through your generous donations. 

See you at the Thank You Run.

Copyrighted - All Rights Reserved - Shay Realtors 2014 

Two Competitors - One Common Cause by Ray Shay

Two Competitors - One Common Cause

By Ray Shay

8.26.14

Artie Ojeda and Carlo Cecchetto

  

Last Saturday morning in front of Karl Strauss Brewery in 4S Ranch, something unusual and yet very special occurred. Local news anchors, Artie Ojeda from NBC 39 and Carlo Cecchetto from CBS 8 stood alongside each other after completing the Ice Bucket Challenge.   

They were both soaked to the bone with ice cold water and yes, those were real suits they were wearing.  It does not show, but Carlo also was wearing lime green flip flops and Artie being the experienced news anchor as well, was wearing worn denim shorts instead of matching slacks.  The really cool thing is they both came together to support a common cause, the fight against ALS.  

 

Artie and Carlo both spoke in lighthearted terms with each other and  several dozen people in attendance.  They encouraged everyone to support ALS and to attend the upcoming 5K, 10K, Kid's Run to be held Thanksgiving morning in 4S Ranch.  

   

All the money raised goes to benefit ALS victims and the 4S Ranch/Del Sur Foundation.
Click here for Thank You Run details.

 

What Artie and Carlo did not tell anyone is they have both personally witnessed the

devastating affects of Lou Gehrig's Disease and have sought support for ALS victims for many years.  Long before ALS became more well known or anyone heard of the, Ice Bucket Challenge.  

A special moment for me was when the news celebrities were speaking,  I saw our ten year old son Ryan rest his left hand on Theresa's shoulder and lean into her.

I immediately wondered if Ryan remembered that about six years years ago, not long ago after his grandma "Helen" died from ALS that he was riding on Carlo Cecchetto's shoulders.  I'll never forget that Carlo was wearing one of the bright blue Helen's Closet T-shirts as they both participated in the Carlsbad Half Marathon.  

Jennifer, Carlo and Ray

The year was 2010 and It was a beautiful day along the shimmering Southern California coast.  At that time the loss of Helen was fresh in all of our minds.  It had only been a few months earlier when Helen quietly passed while encircled by family members in a special bedroom built by her son in law, Mark Schaefer (her favorite) in the small town of Denville, New Jersey.
  
To honor Helen and find a way to pay it forward, Theresa came up with the name Helen's Angels. Our good friends showed up and joined us on that crisp and cold January morning. We had no idea it was the precursor for our First Annual Thank You Run later in the year.

At the time,  Carlo was not the marathon runner he is today.  Ryan being only about five years old. was a bit winded. I saw Carlo reach down and pull him up to his shoulders for the final mile. That action is what giving back, supporting others and looking for ways to help is all about.

Diana, Yolanda, Randy, Jeanne, Theresa and Ryan

 
Thank you Artie, Carlo and all our amazing friends, and the Karl Strauss employees who showed up on Saturday morning.  None of you had to be there,  were paid to be there, but there you were regardless, reaching out to help victims of ALS.

That is pretty amazing stuff. A moment in time that Theresa and I will always treasure.  Thanks for being there and thanks to all the people who support and help with the Thank You Run.

It is one amazing race that pays it forward to so many people that could never imagine running up Challenge Hill!

  

 Have a great week,

  

Copyrighted - All Rights Reserved - Shay Realtors 2014 

The Ice Bucket Challenge by Ray Shay

The Ice Bucket Challenge

By Ray Shay

8.12.14

 

When I got the call this past week about the "Ice Bucket Challenge" my first thoughts were I was too busy,  it sounded dumb, and I didn't really want to participate.

  

Click here to learn the story behind the "Ice Bucket Challenge."

That all changed when I returned home later in the day and saw the below video posted by Eric Marenburg who is the Co-Race Director with Pete Hess for our annual Thanksgiving Day, Thank You Run.  The 5K, 10K and Kid's Run benefiting Helen's Closet and the 4S Ranch/Del Sur Foundation.

              

The Ice Bucket Challenge

In the video, Eric says, "ALS is a terrible disease...".  I really don't recall what he said next. The few moments it took to turn away from my day to day operations of family and work seemed to open a large black safe of past memories which brought me face to face with Theresa's mom, Helen and her beautiful smile.

With the fond memories also came the brutal recollection of the terrible suffering Helen stoically endured while in the unforgiving grasp of Lou Gehrig's Disease.  I felt the guilt of my own weakness wash over me like the unwanted  bucket of ice water, I was avoiding.   Wow, what a big shot I was. Too darn busy to take about 30 seconds to do something silly or out of my comfort zone which could bring more funding, attention, or send a tiny message of hope to the victims of a progressive disease which is always fatal.

I decided I could do better.  I recall turning to Theresa as we stood in our kitchen and saying, "I'm in on the Ice Bucket Challenge and so are all of our kids.   Let's find a bucket." 

Helen (wearing white jacket) with family.  Her favorite place to be.

We did not ask our kids.  We just said, "We have to do this for Helen."  Our Ice Bucket Challenge was not perfect. In fact, we had a few problems. I will give you a few pointers:

#1. Do not get an ice bucket the size of a small car.  It can cause you to bump your wife in the head.

#2. Do not overfill your bucket with water.  It is very embarrassing if you have difficulty lifting the bucket over your head. Especially when the event is being recorded.

#3. Keep a keen eye on your youngest children. They are crafty.  They will discreetly pour the water on to the ground, say "whoopsie"  and then quickly run away when they think no one is watching.

                   

Shay's attempt the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

#4.  Always be sure to challenge someone on the video.  I challenged Teddy Lindsey and said hello to Francis who is an incredible man and artist who lives in Texas who is fighting valiantly against ALS.  and is an inspiration to all of us.

Unfortunately, I forgot to challenge my family, friends, past Thank You Run participants, and our EWeekly readers.  So consider this your official challenge to step up and do something great for complete strangers.  If Justin Tmberlake and local good guy and resident, Dan Barnett can do the challenge.  So can you.  We look forward to posting your videos on the Thank You Run website!  

You have 24 hours and the clock is ticking!!!  As the ice water runs down your back think how great it is to be alive and by your actions you are helping so many victims of ALS. 

Have a great week.    

   

Copyrighted - All Rights Reserved - Shay Realtors 2014 

Thank You Run and Lou Gehrig by Ray Shay

Thank You Run and Lou Gehrig

By Ray Shay

7.8.14

Type caption text here.

Seventy five years ago,  Lou Gehrig the legendary New York Yankee ball player nicknamed the "Iron Horse" announced on nationwide television he had been diagnosed with the incurable disease, ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).   A disease which would be ultimately named after him. Lou speaking about love of friends and family, concluded by saying he was the "luckiest man n the face of this earth". Click the picture below to see a brief video highlight of his speech.

 

Whenever I see replays of Lou Gehrig's speech, I get a lump in my throat.  I am amazed with his personal strength knowing the next two years of his tragically shortened life would be like. It also reminds me of another hero and role model who bravely faced the same challenges as Lou Gehrig. 

 

Helen Mok It was Theresa's mom.  Her name was "Helen." She is the reason we started the 4S Ranch/Del Sur Annual Thank You Run.  A non profit 5K,10K, and 1K Children's run held on Thanksgiving morning.   Half the proceeds go to Helen's Closet to buy comfort equipment for terminally ill ALS patients and the other half is donated to the 4S Ranch/Del Sur Foundation. Helen had a special way about her that can never be forgotten. In honor of the 75th Anniversary we are offering $5.00 off registration for the first 75 race participants of this years Thank You Run, (not including kid's run). Simply enter the code "HELEN" as a race promotion code.  Valid until Friday, August 11! For more details about the run or to register click here ---> ThankYouRun.Org    Have a good week,

Happy Thanksgiving! See you at the Thank You Run!

Sorry, no story this week. The kids are out of school, and we're enjoying having them around. From our family to yours we wish you all a terrific Thanksgiving!