Chicagoland Help

[smurphy]

I hate forwarding emails, but this one is from a good friend of mine who is close to the victim's family. Tragic story. I know MJ's is a place of great generosity, so I couldn't think of a better way to try and help....

.........................................
Hello family and friends-
Very sad story. A friend of mine(an English teacher at Lane Tech), Rachel
McKee, her husband was killed in a hit and run late Wednesday night. If you
live in the Chicagoland area you may have seen the story on the news or read
about it in the paper. His name was Steve O'Rourke, and he was only 36
years old.
He got hit by one car, dragged by another about a mile away, and his body
was not found until the next morning. The police have no leads so far.

http://cbs2chicago.com/topstories/local_story_203223530.html

Incredibly horrible story. They have three small kids(ages 9, 4, and 1).
Unfortunately he did not have life insurance.
Adam and I attended a service on Sunday, and it was so very sad. Adam
commented on how he couldn't believe how well Rachel was able to hold it
together. I saw her on the news the next day, and I again thought about
what a strong person she is.
So I am writing this to you to ask to help Rachel and her kids. There is a
fund set up at Bank of America(I will put the info at the bottom) if you are
able to help at all. If you are not able at the time, maybe you know
someone who could. So please forward this to your friends and family and
tell them to get the word out to try to help.

Checks can be made out to the Rachel McKee Family Assistance Fund, and mailed to the
Bank of America, 3215 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60657 or any other
Chicagoland Bank of America.
>

Her address for those of you who want to send her a card or to send the
check directly to her is as follows:
Rachel McKee
5215 N. Mason Ave
Chicago, IL 60630

Thanks for all your help, and I hope everyone is well.
Love
Lauren
...........................................

 

[IntenseOperator]

took you off ignore thinking you needed directions er something

I grew up right by there, Berwyn and Austin Ave's, just off the Kennedy Exp, Austin Ave exit. People come off the highway like it's just another off shoot of the highway. Watched my whole life as cars drove into the front of corner houses at the intersection of Foster and Austin, if they didn't drive off the Austin ramp at 70 mph 1st.

I now live 5400 N on another street, just a few streets away from Rachel.

I heard something about this off the radio while I was working but didn't know it happened this close.

I'm gonna look into it from the locals and my CPD brother.

I'll forward the email

 

[IntenseOperator]

nice job forwarding emails copy cat

 

[smurphy]

LOL. You had me on ignore??!!!

Thanks for making an exception in this case. Please feel free to continuing ignoring me in the future. I'll put a special mark next to threads that you may find interesting in the future ....maybe some thing like "*4IO2*". I promise not to abuse our special signal.

I don't know why someone with 3 children doesn't get life insurance. I guess at that age, you just can't imagine something like this happening. My friend says as of now they will probably lose their house.

 

[IntenseOperator]

money is tight even in middle income Chicago neighborhoods

I haven't seen their house, but even the smallest in those parts is gonna cost a minimum of $300,000, mid size $350 to $400, 2 units onward from there. 3 kids tells me one of the parents had to kid watch and most likely not work full time. They possibly had to come up with a 3 dime + mortgage nut alone.

My house is a total dump but large and on a very large lot and I could possibly get $450,000 (not now) for it and I live right by them.

Worst thing for her is the "sellers" market is NOT the place to be right now. Real estate is totally dead and sellers are in a position of strength. Hope she can sit on it till things get better and she can get proper $$ for her property.

Back behind the curtain you go.