In Memory of Marshall Mathew
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Team Spicy Armadillo is raising money for Teen Lifeline.

Fundraising Amount=$31,250.00 ; Goal=$25,000.00
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Team Spicy Armadillo is using its RAGBRAI ride to raise funds for Teen Lifeline, which strives to impact the devastating problem of teen suicide in Arizona. Team Spicy Armadillo is dedicating its ride and funds raised in memory of Marshall Mathew. Marshall, who passed away in May 2011, was a positive and encouraging person, a champion of the underdog, who always took the time and effort to lift the spirits and help those in need. Marshall's favorite words of encouragement to others were: Be Great Today.  Team Spicy Armadillo hopes to do just that and share the message.  Marshall's parents, Ivan and Susan Mathew, send their thanks to all who contribute to Team Spicy Armadillo and Teen Lifeline.  
RAGBRAI is a seven day ride across Iowa, from the Missouri River on the western border to the Mississippi River on the eastern border - a total of 406 miles!  It was started 40 years ago and is the oldest, largest and longest multi-day bicycle tour in the country. According to participants it is the standard by which all other multi-day bicycle toursare measured. There are 10,000 registered riders, from every state and many foreign countries. See http://spicyarmadillos.wordpress.com/ to read about their journey.


 
Teen Lifeline is a life saving resource for Arizona’s youth.

THE HOTLINE

The hotline itself is the heart of why we exist. We are here to save lives, and when the phone rings we get the chance. In 2013 we will receive over 11,000 hotline calls from teens across Arizona that feel they have no where else to turn. On average, one of four calls is depression and suicide related. This is when our purpose is most clearly seen.

PEER TO PEER

The biggest factor that separates Teen Lifeline from other crisis hotlines is the people who answer the phone. We understand that when teens want to talk about their problems, more often than not, they turn to other teens. Our volunteers can empathize and understand the problems of the callers because, in many cases, they have or are going through the same things themselves. The Life Skills Development program provides our Peer Counselors the highest quality training, ongoing development, adult mentorship, peer support and real-world job training. In exchange for their service to other teens, these Peer Counselors learn the value of volunteerism, the importance of responsibility, fundamental communication and life skills.

MORE THAN A HOTLINE...

Teen Lifeline is reaching thousands more every year than just the 11,000 who call our hotline. Through our Community Education and Outreach program, Teen Lifeline is able to reach over 35,000 people every year. Our presentations not only spread our name and hotline number, but also educate the community on important issues. Presentations include education on suicide prevention, bullying, stress, coping and grief. These efforts go from middle schools and high schools to corporations and bus drivers.


 

It is staggering to realize that in Arizona one child dies every 9 days by suicide. This heartbreaking tragedy is a grim reality too often. Every time it happens, a child’s suicide impacts a community so large it’s hard to comprehend -- family, friends, classmates, coworkers, faith groups, schools and so many more.  The devastating ripple effect is huge, and we have witnessed this first hand with the loss of Marshall Mathew, the son of a close friend.

But there is hope.  Teens, by the thousands find hope and help each year through Teen Lifeline’s services.  For 27 years the hotline has been a connection of hope for teens in crisis.  Some call just needing a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on; others call as a last resort. Whatever the reason, Teen Lifeline and the teen counselors are there 365 days a year ready to listen and help.

Many of us are parents and know that connecting our children with resources for their health and well-being is so very important. When they won’t turn to us, they deserve a safe place to connect to teens who can help. We are impressed by the amazing work of these teens on the phone, and the passion of Teen Lifeline as an organization. They are committed to saving lives and they can’t do it without the connection to all of us.

Donors and Comments

Jon and Laura Titus  gave $400.00 12/31/2013
Jan W Cacheris  gave $400.00 12/28/2013
Susan Turner Mathew  gave  11/26/2013
"In honor of Giving Tuesday & in memory of our beautiful son, we are adding to our prior gift to the Team Spicy Armadillo RAGBRAI ride fund. Thank you Team Spicy Armadillo, donors & Teen Lifeline for your giving endeavors. Ivan & Susan Mathew"
Jane Gulde  gave  8/27/2013
Paul & Margie Stein  gave $50.00 8/21/2013
"Laura & John, .. so happy to support your team's effort in this very worthy cause. We look forward to hearing how your spent your summer vacation & the tales of your life on two wheels! aloha, Paul & Margie Stein"
Barton Family Foundation  pledged to give $1,000.00 8/21/2013
Randy Pullen  gave $412.00 8/16/2013
Chris B. Tyson  pledged to give $200.00 8/9/2013
GTIS Partners  pledged to give $1,000.00 8/9/2013
John Dargin Romanin  gave $100.00 8/2/2013
"Happy Trails Folks and thank you. JR"
Thomas Marlowe  gave  8/1/2013
Janis & Peter Lee  pledged to give $100.00 7/31/2013
Sam & Dedre Ridley  gave $100.00 7/30/2013
"Congratulations to the Spicy Armadillos for their efforts to raise funds for the memory of Marshall."
Susie Baumgardner  gave $25.00 7/30/2013
"Best of luck to Team Spicy Armadillo. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all."
Elizabeth Alston  pledged to give $50.00 7/29/2013
Diane Walker  gave $250.00 7/28/2013
"Congratulations to the Armadillos! What a wonderful way to bless Marshall's memory and the hearts of all those that love him."
Holly E Cottor  gave  7/27/2013
"With care and support for the Mathew Family in memory of Marshall."
Barbara & Paul Cummings  gave $200.00 7/27/2013
"Good Luck to Jan, Chris and the Spicy Armadillo Team! XOXOX Barbara & Paul Cummings"
Christopher Asterino  gave $250.00 7/26/2013
Pam & Charles Krewson  pledged to give $50.00 7/25/2013
Chuck & Susan McDonough  gave $250.00 7/25/2013
"Congrats to Team Spicy Armadillo for their efforts to raise money for this important organization and honoring the memory of Marshall."
Dawn Meidinger  gave $200.00 7/24/2013
William Francis  pledged to give $25.00 7/24/2013
Paul & Carol Hill Foundation  pledged to give $2,500.00 7/24/2013
Joan Lewis  pledged to give $1,000.00 7/24/2013
Nancy Kitchell  gave  7/23/2013
Jane Ceasor  gave $100.00 7/23/2013
"We are proud to honor Marshall and to see the good works and fruits being made possible through his legacy. Thank you, Armadillos! We will all be "Great Today" by having known or by having known 'of' someone such as Marshall Mathew. "
Nate Nathan  gave $1,000.00 7/23/2013
Randi Gordon  gave $10.00 7/22/2013
Lissa Shomaker  gave $25.00 7/22/2013
"Go Team Spicy Armadillo!"
Katie Titus  gave $25.00 7/22/2013
"Go team!"
Dan and Ingrid Hagen  gave $25.00 7/22/2013
"Given in love to the Mathew family, and in loving memory of Marshall Mathew Dan, Ingrid, Erik, Emily & Jon Hagen Chandler, Arizona"
Steve Evans  gave $100.00 7/21/2013
Mary Christine Planck  gave $50.00 7/21/2013
"What a wonderful event...ride safe Team Spicy Armadillo!"
Suzanne Hensing  gave $50.00 7/21/2013
"I loved the commentary along the road to Iowa. Good luck on the ride and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Even though I was born and raised in Iowa, I have not visited most of the settlements you will pass through. Have fun! Suzanne "
Philip Kurian  gave $100.00 7/20/2013
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Marshall, his family and frienda. Philip Kurian and family"
Betty Perry Meyer  gave $50.00 7/20/2013
Anonymous  gave $250.00 7/20/2013
Janis Rehlaender  gave $200.00 7/19/2013
"Good luck Jan and Chris and Team Spicy Armadillo!"
Theodore Karatz  gave $250.00 7/19/2013
"Heather and I proudly support Craig, Chris and the Spicy Armadillo team as they honor Marshall Mathew. Good luck."
Ruth & William Turner  pledged to give $250.00 7/19/2013
"Thank you Team Spicy Armadillos for your ride & fundraising in memory of our treasured grandson, Marshall. With gratitude, Ruth & William Turner."
Brian Rosener  gave $500.00 7/19/2013
"The Land Advisors Organization and Land Advisors Resort Solutions are proud to contribute to such a worthwhile cause. Go Team Spicy Armadillo!!!"
David & Julie Krumwiede  gave  7/18/2013
"Great idea Spicy Armadillo's! Make us proud... Thanks, Dave & Julie"
Jim Leisenring  gave $250.00 7/19/2013
"Good Luck to the Spicy Armadillos!! Hopefully Iowa is as flat as I imagine it to be!"
Elisa Turner  gave $250.00 7/19/2013
"Marshall was my beloved nephew. His uncle, my husband Eric Smith, and our children, Marshall's cousins Grant and Margaret Smith, will always mourn his loss. His exceptional life was a wonderful gift to our entire family. We are deeply grateful for this remarkable effort to salute his memory by contributing to this most significant cause."
Elaine Cacheris and Bruce Hiler  gave $500.00 7/19/2013
"Good luck to Chris & Jan, Alison and Craig, and all of Team Spicy Armadillo on their mission! We'll be thinking of you! Cheers, Bruce Hiler and Elaine Cacheris"
Carol Sahakian  gave  7/18/2013
Steve La Terra  gave $100.00 7/18/2013
"Good luck to Team Spicy Armadillo! From Paradigm Private Equity Holdings"
Constance R Smith  gave $50.00 7/18/2013
"Wishing you well on this trek!"
Luane Rosen  gave  7/18/2013
"Be Great Today Team Spicy Armadillo!"
Rosanne Kaplan  gave  7/18/2013
"So sorry for the loss of Marshall Mathew. I hope this helps to save another young person. With Kind Regards, Rosanne Kaplan (friend of Gina & Tim)"
Scott Turner  gave $25.00 7/18/2013
carolyn sue Eynon  gave  7/18/2013
"To Susan and her family. We will hold you in our prayers and hearts; Scottsdale Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumnae Association"
Adam Tuton  gave $100.00 7/18/2013
"Ride for Life Craig and Alison! Jan and Chris Too!"
John Bradley  gave $50.00 7/18/2013
"Craig and Alison-- Great Cause and somebody has to ride across Iowa. Have Fun! John"
Mo Bundon  gave $500.00 7/18/2013
Craig King  gave $250.00 7/17/2013
"Enjoy the ride for a great cause. Hope the wind and weather are on your team."
Joseph & Omana Thomas  gave $50.00 7/17/2013
"Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Ivan and Susan!! Great deed in memory of Marshall... Thomas and Omana, Baton Rouge."
Steven Hilton  gave $2,500.00 7/17/2013
Garry O'Rafferty  gave $100.00 7/17/2013
"Our thoughts are with you. Carol and Garry O'Rafferty"
Doc Belitz  gave  7/17/2013
"Thanks to the team members of the Spicy Armadillo's. Be safe and Good Luck!"
Anonymous  gave $100.00 7/17/2013
"Best of luck on the ride!"
David Boatwright  gave $250.00 7/17/2013
James Smith  gave $50.00 7/17/2013
"Alison and Craig, good luck to the Spicy Armadillo Team and you as you travel across Iowa for this excellent cause! We hope it cools down and is not too windy(unless it is a tailwind!). Best of luck! Kelley and Jim Smith"
Clint & Vicki Poteet  gave $100.00 7/17/2013
"Than you for your great commitment and be safe on the road!"
Michael David James  gave $100.00 7/17/2013
"Thankyou for doing this and keeping Marshall's memory alive. Michael and Anne James"
Anonymous  gave  7/17/2013
"Good luck Ragrai Team Spicy Armadillo! Your commitment to raising funds in the memory of Marshall is awesome! Trish and Greg Stark "
Paula K Harms  gave  7/17/2013
"Admire your efforts and am a little jealous of the good time you are going to have. I have ambitions to ride the Katy Trial in Missouri in the early fal. Thanks for the inspiration and the chance to contribte to a worthy cause."
Loren and Wilma Krumwiede  gave $100.00 7/17/2013
Robert & Kthleen Wade  gave $500.00 7/16/2013
Robert D. Mitchell  gave  7/16/2013
Adam and Stephanie Goodman  gave $100.00 7/16/2013
scott lavinia  gave $250.00 7/16/2013
Paul Bowen  gave $50.00 7/16/2013
"Good luck Craig and the Team! I hope that you reach your goal! I've forwarded this on to a friend of mine (Ami)who is an avid cyclist and rides in all of the local events including California."
Michelle Olson  gave $50.00 7/16/2013
Pam and Peter Barbey  gave $100.00 7/16/2013
"What a great way to raise money and awareness for such a wonderful cause. Wishing each of you the very best as you pedal past the corn fields of Iowa! Remember-- for every uphill, there's a downhill!"
Robert Donat  gave $250.00 7/16/2013
Bernadette Evans  gave $500.00 7/16/2013
"Good Luck Team Spicy Armadillo as you face this awesome challenge. It's great to see so many folks gathering to support such a worthy effort. Best of luck to all the riders. We'll be watching the blog for updates! The Evans Family"
Rachel Chandrathil  gave $100.00 7/16/2013
"In loving memory of My Dear Marshall. Love, Grandmother Rachel"
Tim Dill  gave $250.00 7/16/2013
"In loving memory of our nephew. I love you to the moon and back my big bear~ Love, Hannah."
Yale Goldberg  gave $75.00 7/16/2013
Karen Gawel  gave $50.00 7/16/2013
"Be Great Today! You are dearly missed, Marshall."
Denise Resnik  gave $50.00 7/16/2013
Katie Cardinali  gave $50.00 7/15/2013
"What an awesome effort. My thoughts, prayers, and gratitude are with your team. Thank you for being great as we all continue to honor Marshall!"
Sheri L Betzer  gave  7/15/2013
"I am honored to be asked for my support in memory of Marshall. May God bless all of you who knew and loved him. Sheri Betzer"
George Mathew  gave $100.00 7/15/2013
"In loving memory of our nephew. He is greatly missed. George & Katie Mathew"
John & Linda Waugh  gave $100.00 7/15/2013
"God bless each of you for your efforts on behalf of such a worthwhile cause."
Beth & Sandy Hoffman  gave $75.00 7/15/2013
Dan Rigby  gave $250.00 7/15/2013
"Marshall will live forever in the memories of those who knew and loved him."
Ken Kirk  gave $500.00 7/15/2013
Chris and Al Shunneson  gave $100.00 7/15/2013
" Thank You for sharing this opportunity to remember Marshall and to help someone in distress. Have a great ride, Team Spicy Armadillo! Chris and Al Shunneson "
Coleen Rossi  gave  7/15/2013
Kathy and Dwight Peters  gave  7/15/2013
"Our hearts are with you, Kathy and Dwight Peters"
Paul Charlton  gave $25.00 7/15/2013
John G Cerchiai  gave  7/15/2013
Brian Amster  gave $100.00 7/15/2013
"This is a great effort by the Spicy Armadillos for a great guy! Marshall was always the most polite, funny, and thoughtful guy I came to know in his life - I miss him. Thanks for the opportunity to donate to an excellent cause!"
Dan Goldfine  gave $250.00 7/15/2013
"Good luck to Team Spicy Armadillo in its efforts in the memory of the young Mr. Mathew!"
Ivan and Susan Mathew  gave $600.00 7/14/2013
"We are very grateful for the Spicy Armadillos and their efforts to help teens and college students understand that their are alternatives. Thank you all for supporting our dear friends as they ride across Iowa in memory of Marshall. We are looking forward to tracking the ride and sharing in the RAGBRAI experience."
Ann B Hermens  gave $100.00 7/14/2013
"Good luck to Team Spicy Armadillo! Thanks for supporting such a wonderful cause in memory of such a wonderful young man! Ann and Paul Hermens"
Margo and David Shein  gave $50.00 7/13/2013
"Good luck to all! We are thinking of you and appreciate all your efforts in support of this worthy cause!"
Susan Marie Jones  gave  7/13/2013
"You do Marshall, and other teens like him, a great honor by your contribution to their cause."
Robert M. Robinson  gave $25.00 7/13/2013
kevin and Susie O'Malley  gave $100.00 7/12/2013
"Although we did not know Marshall, we have great respect and fond feelings for Susan and Ivan and our hearts and prayers go out to both of you as you try and deal with this overwhelming loss."
Holly and Mike Marrie  gave $100.00 7/11/2013
"We are pleased to see that Teen Lifeline is being honored on behalf of Marshall. Two of our daughters contributed time to Teen lifeline and enjoyed helping others. It is a wonderful organization. Holly and Mike"
Barbara Anne Murphy  gave $50.00 7/11/2013
"You make us all great! We Love you Marshall"
Jill Herman  gave  7/11/2013
"In celebration of Marshall's spirit and lessons learned from his life and his death. Jill H."
Christine Kirk  gave  7/11/2013
Mark Specketer  gave $100.00 7/11/2013
Robert Smith  gave $250.00 7/11/2013
Jody Pokorski  gave $100.00 7/11/2013
"What a great way to remember Marshall. Good luck to all of you!"
Kurt and Sue Brueckner  gave $500.00 7/11/2013
"Congradulations to Team Spicy Armadillo for organizing this fundraising event in honor of such a fine young man as Marshall Mathew. Teen Lifeline is an outstanding organization which the Mathew family and friends can feel proud of supporting. Kurt and Sue Brueckner"
Andy Warren  gave $100.00 7/10/2013
"Go Armadillo's! Here's hoping for tailwinds--good luck!!!"
Gregg Clarke Gibbons  gave $50.00 7/10/2013
"It is a great cause, and I am sure TSA will have a great ride!"
Toma G. Brashear  gave $100.00 7/10/2013
"Best of luck to the entire team in your journey. Hope the fundraiser is a big success in Marshall's memory!!! Toma G. Brashear"
Ellen Anne Bolton  gave $50.00 7/10/2013
"Go Team Spicy Armadillo! Your time, effort and cause are very commendable! Good luck on your long ride and I'll follow you on your blog. Ellen"
Keith & Gail Newman  gave $468.00 7/9/2013
"My wife and I didn’t know Marshall, but it’s clear he made a difference in his short time by the dedication of his friends to honor and remember him. The donations made here go directly to efforts to save lives of struggling teens. I believe Marshall would give a big thumbs up, and when the riders feel a helpful wind at their backs, it’s Marshall saying go “Spicy Armadillos!”"
Eva Voorhees  gave $100.00 7/9/2013
Anonymous  gave $500.00 7/8/2013