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The goal of the CAMP (Chris A. Matthews Project) is to provide sustainable housing options for individuals with developmental disabilities (DD), with emphasis on individuals with autism and/or behavioral challenges, here in El Paso County.
Please help!
Your donation can be made payable to CAMP, and sent to:
Attn: Kim Matthews
1926 Wood Avenue, Colorado Springs CO 80907
(719) 634-8273
Christopher A. Matthews Project
“CAMP” CHRIS
Information
Colorado Springs Community Need:
- Colorado is currently 48th in the nation for funding for individuals with developmental disabilities.
- The state of Colorado is currently 3 months behind in payments for services provided to the developmentally disabled in our state.
- The daily rates assigned by the State to most individuals, do not combine to cover the costs of operating a group home. As a result many DD individuals are placed in DD foster homes.
- For many individuals with Autism or behavioral challenges, finding a foster home is very difficult and any change in daily living routines can be very disruptive. Changing foster homes every year or two is not a successful housing model for many of our DD clients however it is often the only option.
CAMP CHRIS Solution:
- To obtain free or low cost houses that can be utilized as group homes.
- To create an endowment whose interest can be further applied to meet unmet needs of the group home.
- To create community support and involvement in each home.
CAMP CHRIS Progress:
- We have obtained a 5-bedroom house, which can be used for $150.00 per month.
- We have created an endowment of $59,000.00
- We have a group of community leaders and activists willing to assist in planning fundraisers, building awareness, making state-mandated adaptations to the home and helping this grassroots efforts.
CAMP CHRIS Structure:
- CAMP is a non-profit organization registered with the State of Colorado as a 501c3. It has oversight through a Board of Directors.
CAMP CHRIS Immediate Needs:
- An interior sprinkler system for the home.
- New carpeting for the home
- Furniture for the home.
- A larger endowment to support the needs of individuals in the home.
- Painting at the home.
READ: NEW CAMP House Ready for Grand Opening! [Letter From Kim and Dave Matthews]
Please help!
Your donation can be made payable to CAMP, and sent to:
Attn: Kim Matthews
1926 Wood Avenue, Colorado Springs CO 80907
(719) 634-8273
“Thank you for showing us true greatness. Not many achieve that in this lifetime. Chris is one of the few who has. He struggled; he struggled more than most. He loved – more perfectly than most of us ever will. He smiled and reached out- to everybody. He was selfless. He was extraordinary – and because of your love and care, Chris’ goodness lit up our hurting, wounded world.” – Cindy P.
“I can still picture Chris in his helmet, in the stroller on the back of Dave’s bike, and walking along the ocean with Bill and Dave when we were in Mexico.” – Kim, Bill, Kell, Kimbers and Stu.
“I loved watching Chris work at Josh and John’s. He is beautiful…”- Kim D.
“…My best (memory) of all is using Dave and Kim’s shower … it was big enough that I would throw myself, Christopher and Billy into it at the same time to hose off and we would all jump in and sing songs together. I am pretty sure that my love of cheese-it crackers is due to Christopher as well! – Kevin H.
“What do you say, Pam?” – Chris saying this WHILE ASLEEP and burping and farting on the couch … ‘cuz all day, every time Chris farted and burped while with us at the lake, Pam said to Chris “What do you say Chris?” – Pam
“I remember Chris calling my new girlfriend – future wife “Susanne” – my ex-girlfriends name.” – Charlie H.
“My favorite memory of Chris is him laying on the Golf Green while caddying for Dave – now that is relaxation.” – Vinny
I will always have great memories of Chris on the golf course. His favorite saying, after someone hit a bad shot, was “Uh Oh. Give me a hug.” – Jerry and Susan
“While golfing, I remember Dave (Matthews) saying “Just keep walking.” After Christopher dumped Dave Merz’s clubs into the water.” – Ted
“On Halloween, I remember telling my kids we weren’t trick-or-treating on Wood Avenue because they are too old to go out. Steven says, “You mean we aren’t going to stop by your friend’s house and get a hug from that big guy?” Would that we all could be remembered for the hugs we gave! – Jan
Hugging is healthy. It helps the body’s immune system, it keeps you healthier, it cures depression, it reduces stress, it induces sleep, it’s invigorating, has no unpleasant side effects. Hugging is nothing less than a miracle cure.
Hugging is natural. It is organic, naturally sweet, has no pesticides, no preservatives, no artificial ingredients and is 100 percent wholesome.
Hugging is practically perfect. There are no movable parts, no batteries to wear out, no periodic check ups, its low energy consumption, high energy yield, inflation proof, non-fattening, has no monthly payments, no insurance requirements, theft proof, non-taxable, non-polluting and fully returnable!! -Author Unknown
From Dave and Doreen
The Chris Matthews Party was held at the Palmer HS Auditorium at 2pm on Sunday, November 4, 2007.
The sheer volume of people who attended was yet another testament of how much impact our friend Chris had on so many people’s lives. The auditorium was packed! Hundreds of people from all over the country were there to celebrate Chris’ life.
The MC (moderator) was Bill Kurtz … Vacuum at Bills? First he was dressed as Shrek and then as Austin Powers … !
Other friends and family members of Chris went up to share stories and memories:
- Dr. Dave Matthews (Chris’ Dad)
- Denny Phelps (Close Family Friend)
- Steve DeFelice (Chris’ teacher)
- Kelley Powers (Chris’ Uncle)
- Dave Merz (Chris’ Host Family)
As we walked in and tried to find a seat, we were able to watch an amazing slideshow of Chris’ life, created by Chris’ younger brother, Billy.
Each one of Chris’ friends and family members who spoke had wonderful Chris Stories to share and as we all listened, it became more evident that even though Chris was so lucky to have the support that he had – WE were even luckier to have Chris in our lives.
Everyone agreed: Chris taught US more than we could ever “teach” him.
Again, about half-way through the party, we were able to watch another slide show that Billy created. We saw so many pictures of all parts of Chris’ life. Chris was so loved by his family and friends. It was absolutely unbelievable.
One of my favorite parts was the Legacy of the Strap …
After the Chris Party Celebration, hundreds of people gathered outside of Palmer HS sharing memories of our friend, Chris.
From there, the Matthews Family opened up their home to anyone who wanted to stop by. So many people came by and so many Chris stories were exchanged.
In addition to the food and drinks that were available, every room had stacks of pictures of Chris to look through and bowls of Cheetos and M&M’s scattered around. Every inch of their home (and even outside) was crowded with people that Chris loved, and that love Chris.
Chris touched the lives of many, many people, and to have so many of them gathered in the celebration of his life was so awesome!
This was a day that Chris would be so proud of.
(By: Mariana)
At the last ARC Award Dinner, Kim Matthews won the prestigious Don Haney Award – awarded to people who are recognized for providing outstanding service to people with developmental disabilities.
When Kim went up to receive the award, Chris got very serious. He refused to sit down. He stood there, watching his Mom go up on stage to accept the award, as if he were her body guard and was making sure everything was okay.
Chris and many of his friends were there to support Kim in this awesome achievement. Chris was so excited to have so many of his friends and family together in one place!
(By: Mariana, Pictures From: Lori)
(Compiled by the Matthews and Merz Families)
Items with him at all times:
A strap – A stick – Uncle Robert’s toy cars
His Palmer High School letter jacket – Shrek doll – A water bottle
Favorite Songs
Hakuna Matata – Da Turdy Point Buck – Ba Ba Ba…. Ba Barbara Ann
Toot Toot Chug a chuga Big Red Car – YMCA – Peggy Sue
“Heather, sing sha la la. Sing it, Heather!”
Proudest Moments
Getting his letter and a standing ovation at the Palmer football team banquet
Winning a Gold medal for skiing at the Special Olympics – Graduating from Palmer
Favorite Snacks
Cheetos – Cheez-its – M&Ms
Opening Lines
“What’s my name??” (Means what’s your name?)
Then in trying to create conversation….
“Does Chris vacuum??” Where… “Bill’s store”
“Chris wipes tables.” Where…. “Josh and John’s”
“How YOU doing?” – “Gimme a hug!!!”
International Travel log
Philippines – Thailand – Hong Kong
Germany – Mexico – Canada
Chris-isms
“I’m dexy, you’re crap” ( “I’m dead sexy” from Austin Powers)
“Yeaaaah baby!” – “Hi Steve. What’s your name, Steve?”
“You’re car is SO dirty. You beeeeeetter wash it!”
“Oh Kim, she’s so cuuuuuute” – “oooooh la la” – “Zip it”
Favorite Movies
Shrek – Austin Powers – The Lion King
Herbie the Love Bug – Mary Poppins
Skills He Perfected
Bear hugs (+/- butt grab) – Air guitar
Austin Powers impersonations – Burping
First Job
Vacuuming Bill’s store
Favorite Fun
Going to recycling with Dad
Going to the carwash with Dad
Downhill or water skiing
Dancing!!
Watching movies
Cheering on Billy at soccer games
Mantra
Hakuna Matata
“The Chris Matthews Party”
October 13, 1982 – October 31, 2007
During the four years that Chris lived with my family I always joked that someday I would write a book about the experience. I don’t think I ever went a day without at least one hug, one tickle and, yes, one burp. If I had enough time and a clear enough memory I could fill pages with the funny comments from Chris- always delivered right on cue. From his announcement in the mall when I was pregnant with my son, “Baby Andrew in the tummy”, to his comment one evening, “Doreen- look! See the dark!”, to his teaching my son to talk, “B-B-B-B Horse. Say it Andrew!”, the one I remember clearest is from the first day I met Chris. Probably because no one can forget meeting Chris.
I had just moved to town and my fiancée at the time, Dave, was taking me to Denver for a Rockies Game. We were also taking Chris and Dave B. along. Dave must have told Chris they were coming to get me. But I wasn’t quite ready and Dave went back to wait in the car with the guys. Chris simply looked at Dave and said “You forgot Doreen!” And thus I was “forgotten” every now and then over the next few weeks/months.
Unfortunately many of my favorite memories of Chris are not captured on video or pictures as I wish I could share them with many of you. The look on Chris’s face when he got a ride in our neighbor’s cherry red Dodge Viper, the peals of laughter zipping him in the inner tube around my in-law’s lake, the way he loved to ride in the loader bucket of my Dad’s tractor each and every time we took him to visit the farm and would sit in the bucket for hours waiting for someone to come give him a ride. The giggles and singing from the living room where he and my toddler watched their videos and shared toys, the way he danced so hard in the van to his music the entire car shook and drew stares from the other drivers, the way you always wanted to help push (uh pull) Andrew’s stroller on our walks, the red cup that sat permanently beside our sink for Chris to get a drink of water. (yes- it got washed but just went right back beside the sink.), the way he greeted his providers every morning as if he hadn’t seen them in months.
I feel privileged to have been Chris’s host home. I know no greater honor than to have been entrusted with his care. His memory will live forever in the heart of our family. (And on our home movies since he always managed to get into the footage! =) )
Doreen Merz
Please take a moment to read Chris' Obituary and Guest Book entries from the Gazette- November 2, 2007.