So many gave...Thank YOU ALL!

Within moments of Heidi’s disappearance the word started to spread. Some people heard it over their scanner, others saw it scroll on the bottom of their television screen, some were sitting in church when an announcement was made, and others received a phone call similar to mind…”Heidi is missing!” I don’t know how each person learned of Heidi’s disappearance or when they started to arrive but the outpouring of support has remained one of the things we have always been most thankful for.

Family, friends, Heidi’s coworkers, and the community started to arrive with offers to assist in the search. Entire families arrived with Easter dinner in foil to share with the other volunteers. So many searching within minutes yet no one could find Heidi.

It felt like everyone was involved and using the skills they were best at to aide in the search. Phone lines were hooked up. Food and drinks arrived with a multitude of hands to serve and replenish as the dishes were emptied. Copy machines and paper were donated with volunteers to start photocopying missing person flyers. Drivers arrived to take the printed posters to every business, rest area (even on the thruway), and wherever else they could think of. More phones and walkie-talkies arrived. Orange ribbons were made and pinned on each volunteer. So much to do yet God provided the hands and hearts to meet the needs, above and beyond.

An illustration of Ephesians 3:20 – 21

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

Others used their creative talents. Some made items and donated them to be used as a raffle to raise funds to support the search and rescue efforts. Others were works of the heart to bless the family. Sketches, wood burnings and even a quilt with Heidi’s photos on it as reminders of the beautiful young lady we all missed so much.

Today’s photos are a few of the works of heart. Ones that still hang today at my parent’s house as a reminder of Heidi but mostly…a reminder of the love, support, prayers, and concern expressed by so many when our family needed it the most.

---

One thing my parents, Ed, and I have always struggled with and probably always will is we weren’t able to say thank you to the hundreds, no thousands, of volunteers who sacrificed vacations, family time, and health to help in one form or another in the search for Heidi. Your love and dedication are thought of each time we remember April 1994.

Thank you all!
Today's Photos:
Woodburnings by Bob Grant - top in 1994 and bottom in 1995
Quilt by Lorna Manzer