Thank you Auburn and friends:

I would like to take a few minutes to thank the many friends, neighbors and the anonymous of Auburn and surrounding areas for your generosity and support.

All I heard was a family's single cry, mine and so many others like us, but our demise was headline news.

But what followed was a deafening cry as I heard Auburn stand up on her feet for one of her own.

We have suffered and have already paid a price for our humiliation. It is sad that the media has become a place for the faceless criticizers. My family and I still have an uphill battle, but because of the many of you that have helped us to climb this mountain, I now believe I can see some blue skies overhead. You have all been tremendous towards us.

But I'll never forget the hearts that reached ours, at our lowest place. We have met many new friends and remembered so many old dear friends. Auburn, you are ours and we are so glad that we are yours. Together we stand or we fall but at least I know that together we fall or rise one for the other.

A heart this generous can help many of her own and we will not be the first or the last but maybe we together can “catch” the next one that falls.

With a heart full of gratitude and thankfulness,

Kent and Charity Brandstetter

Auburn