100 CLUB OF ARIZONA - Scottsdale, AZ

GMIHC helmet and boots

Standing Behind the Men and Women
Who Stand Behind the Badge
-100 Club of Arizona-

Choice, Juliann, Tate, Shiloh, and Ryder

Back in Arizona, rerouting until the bus is road ready. While here we wanted to stop by some of the places that have meant the most to us over the past couple of years.  Not the least of which has been The 100 Club of Arizona.  I have been told time and time again that God doesn't give you anything you can't handle.  I disagree. There is no way that I would've survived this period of my life on my own strength alone.  However, I believe that God won't give you anything you can't handle without putting the people in your path with the ability and willingness to help you through it.  That has been the role of The 100 Club in the lives of my family.



Karley, Suzanne, Sharon, Ryder, Shiloh, Tate, Choice, Juliann, Patti, and Christy

This amazing organization is made up of many individuals who have been affected by the death of a first responder in some way. (Not all, but most). They have their own unique stories of courage in overcoming tragedy similar to that of my own.  "Survivors" is a group I never understood until I became a part of it.  It's a true blessing to have others around who understand. But trust me, you don't want in...the price you have to pay is too high.  
 


19 Fallen Granite Mountain Hotshots

Even one of our own Granite Mountain Hotshot family members has gone to work for The 100 Club since the passing of our loved ones June 30, 2013.  Suzanne, the mother of Garret Zuppiger, is a lovely lady, an incredibly kind spirit, and a fabulous addition to this organization.  We were grateful to see her and share our love with her during our visit.


Granite Mountain Hotshot - Garret Zuppiger

Sharon Knutson-Felix has served as Executive Director of the 100 Club of Arizona since 2001 but her first experience with the 100 Club came several years before. In 1998, when Sharon’s husband, DPS Officer Doug Knutson, was tragically killed in the line of duty, she received support from this amazing organization. The 100 Club’s mission is to support the families of public safety in times of tragedy. Having been a recipient, Sharon truly understands what the 100 Club’s benefits, both financial and emotional, mean in a time of crisis.  She has become a passionate advocate of public safety families. As Executive Director of the 100 Club she has become very instrumental in the continual growth and reach the 100 Club provides to officers and firefighters throughout Arizona.



Juliann, Choice, Tate, Sharon, Shiloh, and Ryder

Sharon sat with each of my children and visited with them about their personalized cards.  She hugged on them and let them know that they are cared for and thought of regularly by this great organization. 

Sharon and Tate

Shiloh, Sharon, Ryder, and Tate

Sharon, Choice, and Juliann

Sharon, Shiloh, and Tate

A few personalized cards, Be Better Bands, and Spread the Better t-shirts seemed like such a small token of appreciation in comparison to all they have done for us. Yet, they seemed grateful even for the little things.


Juliann, Choice, Sharon, Tate, Ryder, and Shiloh

Sharon, and the rest of the staff, put together a traveling gift basket for us to take on the road.  It was full of goodies and games for the kids to stay entertained, and keep their tummies full on the trip. 



Ryder, Sharon, Tate, Choice, and Shiloh

The kiddos were mesmerized by the coloring books, art supplies, games, books, and especially...



Gift Basket from The 100 Club of Arizona

 the edible chocolate mustaches!!!!! Check out the four little STACHE-CRAFTS!



Ryder, Sharon, Tate, Shiloh, and Choice

The chocolate mustaches opened up the candy flood gates.  The kids stormed Karley's office like an army of Vikings and pillaged her candy dish.  She was so sweet as she allowed them to each take a handful of suckers...I'll be sure to repay the favor if I am ever blessed to meet her children.

 



Karley, Tate, Shiloh, and Choice

Choice and Mom

As I mentioned earlier, our association with the 100 Club has been so much more than a meet and greet on occasion.  They have been involved in the intricacies of our lives on a daily basis.  There isn't a time, day or night, that I would hesitate to contact Sharon if I needed assistance.  She has been there for me on the darkest of days and the joyful breakthroughs from my debilitating grief.  She celebrates with you as she recollects her time walking in your painful shoes.  She is a true friend and a mentor for survivors as she understands losing a spouse, and losing a child, to a sudden and tragic death. 

Juliann and Sharon

Sharon wrote a book titled, Gifts My Father Gave Me, wherein she reveals all from her difficult journey through love and loss.  I read a copy of her book shortly after Andrew's passing and found that I could relate to almost all of what she was saying from the perspective of a surviving spouse and mother of children who have lost a father. I am so glad that she took the time to sit and jot down her thoughts to bless those of us who would come after her and be dealt a similar hand in life.

Sharon's Book

It was a blessing and an honor to accompany Sharon to the National Fallen Officer's week in Washington D.C. last year.  I was able to witness the brotherhood in law enforcement and learn how they band together to remember their fallen comrades. 



 

Juliann and Sharon with Washington D.C. Firefighters


We attended the candle light vigil held in remembrance of those who have lost their life in the line of duty.  It was moving to see the way that after all of these years, Sharon was still overcome with emotion in loving memory of her late husband, Doug.


Sharon and Juliann

It was incredible to see the memorial wall where the name of the fallen officers were etched into the stone.  Sharon pointed out to me where Doug's name was etched in the wall and showed me his photographs mounted on top.



Doug Knutson Photo Tribute

After having read Sharon and Doug's love story, and the events leading up to his tragic death, I was humbled to be kneeling at the spot where the world gathers to remember him and his fellow officers.  I took a moment to make a pencil rubbing of his name to share with Sharon and remind myself of the feelings in my heart in that moment.

Juliann at Fallen Officer Memorial Wall

Fallen Officer Memorial Wall

 My memories with Sharon are not all sappy and heavy hearted.  Laughter is a large part of our friendship.  Perhaps the kind of humor we share is found only when going through something tragic.  She demonstrates the unique ability to be able to see the bright light at the end of the tunnel, and even more amazingly, she will carry the wounded survivors on her shoulders on their way there.  She drops seeds of goodness and examples of heroism everywhere she goes.  People innately follow suit when they spend time in her company.  She leaves you with a greater desire to live again and to be better instead of bitter.


Juliann and Sharon

I have spent many hours contemplating the purpose and motivation for the 100 Club.  Why do they do what they do?  To dedicate your entire life to the service of others is incomprehensible to most of us.  However, when we slow down and listen to that still, small voice in our minds...we are all urged from within to serve outwardly.  The more that an individual acts upon those promptings to serve his fellow man, the louder and more recognizable the voice is to the receiver.  This makes it that much more difficult to walk by someone in need without lending a helping hand.  To not help those in need would create that individual to feel crooked within themselves and unable to BE their personal best.  It is no longer an act of random kindness, but rather, a function of who that individual has masterfully developed into.  It is similar to the process a diamond goes through by refining fire to become more beautiful than was ever imaginable at the onset.  



Sharon and the other members of The 100 Club are precious diamonds in my life.  They have beauty that is earned only by selflessly giving to those in need.  They exude kindness, they exemplify heroism in their passion for bettering the world around them, they teach others the value of living and what our responsibility is as a human being on this planet.