Information about the Ulrich family has been moved to this page. Most recent posts are at the top of the page.

Needed: volunteers to help assemble the photographic display for the memorial service. We will be attaching photos to 40 4X4 foam boards under the family's direction (Matt and his Dad). We will be assembling these at Community Unitarian Universalist Church (2819 W Sylvester in Pasco) this Thursday the 19th from 2pm-9pm, and have time reserved at the church on Friday for any follow ups we may need to do. If you are interested, or know of those who might be, please come and help as you are able. This is a big project that is best done with many helping hands. Even if you just have an hour to donate, it will still be an hour well spent and appreciated by the family. Please contact Mike Strasburg m_strasburg@yahoo.com with any questions, or by cell phone (253)797-1008.

Update November 13: The memorial service for Rafael and Audrey has been scheduled for November the 21st. The Memorial is scheduled to be from 1 to 3 at the 3 Rivers Convention Center, 7016 W. Grandridge Blvd in Kennewick.

A display of photographs will be part of the service, the family would appreciate your help in locating any photographs (prints or digital) you may have of Audrey, Rafael, and Lula. For more info about how you may help with photographs please see the orange section below.

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Those wishing to provide prayer support for the family at this time and throughout the holiday season may wish to contact John Butterfield at cmpbfld@yahoo.com (he will respond to emails within 24 hours), or by phone at (509)371-1486. John is coordinating prayer support so that every day throughout the healing process (physical and emotional) is taken care of. Please continue to pray for the family as you regularly do so, but also consider contacting John and working together.
*a note on prayer support: Matthew's spiritual walk is a very personal one to him, and while he appreciates the love and support shown by those who wish to pray for him, he asks that people respect this very private area of his life and not ask him about his beliefs, denomination, etc.

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Alice Strumski lalateacher@hotmail.com is compiling a memory book for Xavier.
(from Alice) "Memory Book stories are stories for Xavier to remember his mother and brother. These are stories about their lives for when he is older and wants to know what the rest of his family was like. This can have pictures, news articles, and personal stories. This should be a celebration for all that they were. These will be going in a three ring binder so no 3-D objects please. If the stories are e-mailed they will be printed out on decorative stationary with all the e-mail extras taken off (to look nice). If you would like to put together a scrapbook style page that would be great just make sure that it can last a long time. For people at the church you can hand the stories right to me or you can ask me for one of those nice stationary pages and I will give one to you for you to fill in right there."
please send stories, newspaper clippings, etc... to
Community Unitarian Universalist Church
Attn: Alice Strumski
2819 W. Sylvester St.
Pasco, WA 99301

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The family and friends of Matthew and Xavier wish to thank Shalom United Church of Christ for their willingness to serve as a location where people may bring items that they may wish to give to the family. At this time items like Costco diapers, storage shelves, and gift cards for safeway (groceries and baby needs) would be appreciated. For more specific needs please email Fran Wilson gypsychick56@gmail.com. Matthew wishes to let people know that they are not in desperate need at this time. His wife was a wonderful planner, and they do have insurance. He also realizes that he will not know the full extent of his family's medical bills, loss of income, etc.. for quite some time and is thankful for the support of his community.
Shalom is located at 505 McMurray Street in Richland (by the Safeway). Their office hours are Monday through Thursday from 8am-12pm. Their phone number is (509) 943-3927. If for any reason donated items are not able to be used, they will be sent on to a family that needs them.

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Bank of the West is also continuing to accept donations for the Ulrich family to help with medical costs etc...

Update Nov. 11: Ulrich Family Memorial Photographic Display and Album

We are soliciting your assistance in providing photographs taken over the years for the Audrey and Raphael Ulrich memorial services November 21st and a photo album for Matthew and family.

The display and album will use photographic prints.

We are accepting digital images that will be made into photographic prints.

We would like as many as we can collect for use on the 21st but if you are not able to send them in by November 15, please send them in regardless, as they will be used for the photo album.

DEADLINE FOR ALL PHOTO MATERIALS USED FOR THE NOVEMBER 21st SERVICES MUST BE DROPPED OFF BY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15 AT 5PM AT THE PAWS NATURAL PET EMPORIUM ADDRESS & PHONE LISTED BELOW.

ADDITIONAL MATERIALS AFTER THE 15th SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE DELIVERED THERE.

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PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTS
Photographic prints you would like to submit should be a minimum 5x7 size print.

Please call me with any special needs – smaller or larger sizes prints, newspaper articles, etc. for inclusion.

DIGITAL FILES
Electronic photo files can be submitted on a CD, DVD (data disc) or on a USB “Thumb Drive”.

I would like to have the highest resolution files you have for the best prints possible.

NOTE:
In this digital world, for convenience I am prepared to convert digital photo files into the appropriate format and size required for printing.

We are prepared, however, to work with whatever you have to offer.

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ON ORIGINAL PRINTS YOU MAY HAVE

If you have photos that are originals and/or “one of a kind”, we will make every effort to maintain the integrity of this irreplaceable media and make duplicates as required and/or requested, leaving your original unharmed.

Photos use for the memorial will NOT be permanently mounted. A non-marring product will be used to affix them on to foam core board. There will be no tack holes, no cement and no tape used.

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HOW TO SUBMIT
Please label all media with your name and phone # printed on them i.e. on back of photos, thumb drives or on CD/DVD’s.

Place all submissions in a sealed folder or envelope and label it, too with your name and a contact number.

WHERE TO SUBMIT
We have established the following location where your materials can be dropped off:

Paws Natural Pet Emporium
1420 Jadwin Avenue
Richland
(North of the Uptown Plaza)
509 943-6640

They are open 7 days a week. Please call for hours of operation.

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REMEMBER:

PHOTOS USED FOR THE NOVEMBER 21 MEMORIAL MUST BE DROPPED OFF BY 5pm SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15 AT PAWS NATURAL PET EMPORIUM.

THEY WILL CONTINUE TO COLLECT PHOTOS AND FILES FOR THE PHOTO ALBUM AFTER THIS DATE.

RETURNING MEDIA
All electronic media will be returned to you after duplication unless otherwise requested.

Photographic prints will be returned unless you wish to donate them for use in the Ulrich family’s album.

QUESTIONS
For any questions or assistance converting / saving / submitting your files, please contact me, Dave Kasper

E-Mail: Dtk_media@live.com
Home: 509 967-8009 - messages accepted
Cell: 509 420-3428 - live person

Thank you for your cooperation.

Dave

11/09 News flash! Richland Parks and Rec will be meeting Thursday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. to discuss many items. Among those items is the naming of the dogpark. TCDPS will be requesting the naming rights. THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR THE NAMING OF THE DOG PARK. Come to the meeting. You need not speak or comment -- we are not trying to overwhelm everyone with comments about the same issue. You just need to be there.

Reminder: Thursday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. at the Richland City Council chambers in Richland City Hall.

Matt suggested "Paws--ibility Park (in memory of Audrey Lee Ulrich)" An additional plaque would read: “Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.”

We would also like to dedicate the to-be-built water fountain for dogs and people to Rafael. Playing with The Barking Lot's water fountain was his favorite activity there. How appropriate!

11/07 From Jan Davis (acting TCDPS president:) we've scheduled a TCDPS meeting on Sunday, Nov. 8, at 2 o'clock, at Hastings' coffee shop in Richland. There will be discussion about the following items before the Parks and Rec committee meeting next Thursday, Nov. 12.

• Naming the dog park in honor of Audrey and
• Choosing a representative from the society to speak at the meeting to explaing how the dog park society feels about the above action.

Response from Matt: To the dog park society members and friends, first let me thank you for the overwhelming support you've shown me and my family during this difficult time. I want to remind you that, although the pieces are in place for the creation of a permanent dog park at Badger Mountain Park, it won't actually happen without your continued support. While Audrey was a gifted leader and will be missed, she was not the dog park society. You are the dog park society, and it falls to us to finish this project in her name. I intend to use all resources at my disposal to do so.

Regards,
Matthew Ulrich

11/06 Update: KEPR article and video -- including information directly from Matt --regarding naming the dogpark after Audrey.

Article: http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/69340027.html

Video: http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/69340027.html?video=YHI&t=a

Anyone wishing to help the Ulrich family with meal drop offs please contact Vickie Fausz at (509)783-7797.

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We will try to keep the family on a somewhat “normal” routine by having all dinners dropped off at 5:30.

1. The people who drop off meals will also collect the dishes from the previous drop, contact the owners, clean the dishes, and be responsible for getting those dishes back to them.
2. The dishes should be marked with the owner's name, phone number and address.
3. Side dishes or dessert can be included.
4. Vickie will let you know about any food allergies and the number of people to prepare for.

Update for the Ulrichs 11/2 and 11/3

On Sunday, November the 2nd, over 20 representatives from 5 organizations came together to discuss ways to help the Ulrich family. This impressive group focussed on identifying tasks, selecting coordinators and outlining responsibilities. Pending the family's approval, the coordinators' contact info will be distributed via email and posted on the tricitydogparks.org website.

Matthew's one tough guy. On Monday 11/2, he went down to the Barking Lot to make sure his business was still running smoothly, his employees were okay, and his customers were being taken care of. He really overdid it and was extremely sore, but felt he needed to be there to make sure everything was okay. The Barking Lot is open, and while the phone may go to voicemail in this transition more than it used to, those calls will be returned.

11/01 info:
Matthew was released from the hospital and has returned home. He is recovering from abdominal surgery (ruptured colon), healing an injured shoulder and is heavily bruised.

He is really touched by all of the support shown to him and his family and wants to assure us that he is now surrounded by his family's presence and love as he begins to reconcile his loss and make plans for Xavier's future.

He asks that, though we have our best intentions at heart, we not call or show up unannounced at this time. He needs this time of healing (physically and emotionally) and needs to be with his family right now.

From Craig Moro (Audrey and Matt's pastor):

I will be available at CUUC (2819 S. Sylvester Street, Pasco) to meet with people who
want to talk (about the Ulrich family and our loss) 
on Saturday, October 31, from 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. and again from 1-3
p.m.   Please feel free to drop by for sharing and support.

Blessed Be,

Craig Moro

10/30 Info:
A quick update from Matt's mom: Matt is recovering remarkably quickly. Xavier is doing very well. The family is grateful and humbled by the tremendous amount of support.

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Many people are asking how to help the Ulrich family. There will be a meeting of the minds on Sunday afternoon to coordinate who will take responsibility for organizing different types of care/help for Matt and Xavier. For example, their church may want to organize and schedule meal delivery, pet care/groomer organizations may want to make sure the Barking Lot continues to thrive, TCDPS may deal with getting the dog park improvements and dedication etc.

As soon as we have names and contact information available, you'll find it here on the site. It will be a good thing to have all of us able to contribute something now.

10/29 Info:
Any Bank of the West location can accept donations for the Ulrich family beginning Friday, October 30.

Several groups whose lives Audrey and Matt have touched will be planning how to coordinate continued support for Matt and Xavier. We'll keep you updated as best we can.

10/28 Info:

Regarding Matt (from Mike Strasburg:) Matt's in good hands right now (wonderful family) but he's going to have a rough time of it in the months to come. We'll have our work cut out for us. Be thinking now about ways you can plan to help: bring meals in, therapy dog, housekeeping, erranding, help at the Barking Lot, etc. (These are not all the things that might need to be done, just some ideas to get us started.)

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Regarding a donation fund (all below from Mike Strasburg:)

• I believe that over the next couple of weeks the society will be getting checks in Audrey's memory to go towards her dream of building a dogpark. We need to keep this as simple as possible to avoid confusion now and later at tax time.
  
  
• The Ulrich family is setting up a donation account with a bank with branches throughout the Tri-Cities and Yakima.
  If people want to send checks to help with medical costs etc. before the account is set up, I would have them make the check out to "the Ulrich family" (or Matthew Ulrich.) Mail checks to TCDPS at PO Box 3031, Richland, WA 99354.
  
  
• If people want to do an "in memory of" donation to the Dog Park Society, let them cut the check to TCDPS with "Audrey's Dream" (or something similar) on the check. Mail them to TCDPS at PO Box 3031, Richland, WA 99354.

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  I spoke to the family today and will speak to them again tomorrow about the donation account. Matthew is still a little rattled and was thinking of the fund as a way to finally get Audrey her dogpark and not of his immediate needs with medical bills, loss of work income, etc. He has a really big heart. I spoke to his brother and they will talk again before the account is set up.
  
  Matthew needs to be clear that this fund is first for his needs and his family needs, not a dog park.
  
  With that said, the family knows that a dogpark was Audrey's dream and would like it to be named after her and for funds to be raised for it. I believe that they should be raised for that purpose through the organization she led, so would like the dog park society to take "in memory of Audrey" donations specifically for the Badger Mountain Dogpark and name it after her.

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  Webmaster note: I'm working right now on setting up Paypal so we'll be able (soon I hope) to accept donations online. Don't hold your breath for this, however.

• 10/27 Info update:
  1) Mike Strasburg is setting up a fund for contributions for the Ulrich family. It will take a couple of days to get set up, but expect info when it's ready.
  2) Lula (the Ulrich dog) has been found, but had been hit by a car. She did not survive. More sadness.
  3) Many folks still need to send me their contact info (name, address, phone, email, etc.) I appreciate your helping me get this membership list rebuilt.

  I will continue to post updates on the website and will email periodically.

  Chris Walling, webmaster

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• 10/27 Latest information from John Butterfield: Latest info is Matt had successful surgery (some internal removal), baby unhurt, mother in law will make it despite some broken bones......Meadow Hills has offered to immediately care for the missing dog Lulu. John Butterfield
• The Richland police have been notified that the house is empty and will make extra passes around the neighborhood.

• your name
• your mailing address
• your phone number and
• your email address.

Our hearts are with Audrey's family at this terrible time.

Chris Walling, webmaster
chris@chriswalling.com