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July 14, 2005
Expressions of support pour in from across nation for Groenes
COEUR d'ALENE -- All the money, teddy bears and "I'm sorrys" in the world will not erase the past two months of Shasta Groene's life.
They are not meant to.
But they are the only possessions that thousands of people who cannot get within arm's length of the 8-year-old know how to give.
Money, it's true, won't buy peace, happiness or its greater cousin, joy, but it will open doors to the best doctors, psychiatrists, teachers and tutors for the child who will perhaps spend her lifetime learning to deal with the deaths of her mother and two brothers and what she heard and saw.
People feel compelled to give, to help, to pray and even hug the family, but cannot.
Steve Groene said he understands, accepts and is grateful for everybody's concern and gifts. However, the gifts -- stuffed animals taller than him, clothes by the box full, balloons and toys -- are overtaking their three-bedroom home and he doesn't want to build on.
Groene is not complaining, whining or even asking the generosity to stop -- he is asking that the people who are sending the gifts to "please consider putting the money they would have spent on toys and such to put it in one of the several bank accounts or trust funds that have been opened for Shasta."
"I don't think people realize that we can't fit any more in our house," said Groene, who before he took Shasta home from the hospital gave hundreds of balloons and toys to kids not fortunate enough to go home yet.
Groene, who has a sense of humor, a "little bit" lighter heart and life in his eyes now that "at least one of my children is safe," said he knows all the gifts, money and clothes are for Shasta and Shasta alone. He is perfectly fine with that and believes it's essential his daughter be as solid and cared for as possible in the future.
Elaine Swank, a school teacher from Fullerton, Calif., said she wants Shasta to find peace through a kitten or puppy with which she can "love and talk to." Swank will even pay for all the food and veterinarian bills. The whole family, she said, has been on her heart for months.
"No," said Groene, "we don't do animals. Shasta already has a Doberman-looking type dog as big as me in her bedroom."
Swank also said she'd take Shasta to Disneyland, which is near Fullerton, if the family is in the area. Swank has been a first- and second-grade teacher for 20 years.
Businesses want to donate, too. A dental office and an orthodontist in Liberty Lake both want to donate their services and time to Shasta's dental health for the rest of her life.
"The idea grew on my heart until I mentioned it to everybody at the staff meeting," said Laura Fowler, office manager at the dental office. "And I have a little black kitty that needs a home."
Again, Groene smiled, then shook his head.
Many of the gifts and clothes Shasta has received are being given to children at the hospital, to deputies and police officers who carry stuffed animals in their squad cars lest they happen upon a child in need of a toy, to Children's Village and many more agencies.
Groene likened his and Shasta's "giving some away" to what happened in the movie, "Pay It Forward," a story about a boy who asked that if anything nice happened to somebody, they would pay it forward by doing something nice for someone else.
"The gifts that were sent to Shasta will now help other kids. They may have not been through the same things, but some of them have tough lives," Groene said.
Shasta's regular visits to a psychologist will continue for a very long time, Groene said. He has considered talking to one, too, but for now Shasta's emotional health and security is his greatest concern.
Groene will attend the benefit for Shasta at Cruiser's on Sunday and he, too, has something to donate for the auction: a T-shirt signed by all the bands that played in the Ritzville Blues Festival in early July. His band, Blue Tattoo, could not attend the festival and has canceled its concerts indefinitely.
The name Shasta has become a household name, the only name needed for an envelope originating in New York or Oregon to reach the girl who personally opens every gift, every card herself.
Groene said the mail lady brings an armful of mail and packages every day and that the only address is: Shasta in Coeur d'Alene.
And that's where he would like people to send things.
"The post office people know where we live," said Groene, whose daughter will someday feel compelled to respond publicly to thank all those who are making her smile a little more every day.
Posted by Nealus at July 14, 2005 04:06 PM
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