Rachel Conger

7/31/2008

Cell Phone Donation Drive

United Response Search and Rescue has sent donation bins to collect cell phones for recycling. All proceeds from the cell phone and ink cartridge drive (that are collected in Henry County) will go toward the Bring Rachel Home search fund. You can donate your used cell phone at: Lakeway IGA, Trolinger's or E.W. James & Sons. Please help us make this drive a success!

7/29/2008

One Henry County Daughter’s Effort to Find Missing Mother

Press Release

On Thursday, March 13, 2008, thirteen-year-old Amber Simmons awoke to a day that would change her life forever. Her mother, Rachel Conger, was missing and Amber has since been doing everything that she can to help find her mother. On April 13, Amber organized a candlelight vigil at the Henry County Court House to honor and pray for her mother to be found. Since the first month of her mother’s disappearance, Amber has since turned her attention to raising money to bring in professional search organizations to help find her mother, Rachel Conger.

Her daughter, Amber, is the driving force behind each event to help find her mother whom she dearly misses. She had this to say to the community; ''I really want my mom found; she means the world to me. What 13 year old would not want their mom found? I am appreciative for what everyone has done to support us & help search for my mom. I ask for your continued support to help bring her home.''

On June 27, Amber organized a car wash at Advanced Auto Parts that raised $500. When faced with needing to reach an initial goal of $4000.00, Amber got to work organizing two more fundraisers. On July 12, the “Bring Rachel Home” bake sale was held at E.W. James & Sons, and raised $834.00 and on July 26; the “Bring Rachel Home” yard sale raised $550.00. In the planning stages is a benefit concert, which is set to be held on August 23rd, at Casey Jones Village/Old Country Store Amphitheater in Jackson, TN (more details about performers and the time that concert starts will be available in the next several days).

All proceeds from the fundraisers will help cover the immediately needed travel expenses for their upcoming Search & Rescue set for Aug 9th. United Response Search & Rescue Organization has offered the family their assistance with Law Enforcement in search efforts for missing Rachel Conger. They are a Texas based Non-Profit Search & Rescue Organization who aid in searches for missing children & adults nationwide. Their search is set for August 4-10th, with a volunteer community search on August 9th. It will take the community's continued support to help them reach their $4,000 urgently needed goal for ongoing search and rescue efforts.

They are asking for volunteer searchers from the public on Saturday, August 9th. Please spread the word, as we need about 250- 300 volunteers to help aid us in our efforts. More details will be available soon. We are also in need of food and water donations for that day. If willing to donate meals or drinks, please contact:
bringrachelcongerhome@hotmail.com

Newly added to their site, is a heart tugging beautiful music video tribute slide show, in honor of missing Rachel. To learn more about missing Rachel Conger or to make a contribution please visit: http://bringrachelhome.blogspot.com



# # #

7/26/2008

Fundraising total as of 07/26/08

Thank you to everyone who came out to the yard sale to support the effort to raise money to bring search organizations to look for Rachel. Today, we raised $550! We're very excited about the progress we have been making and will continue to raise funds in order to give Amber what she needs- she needs people to search for her mother and to not give up hope that we will find her and that we will raise enough money to be able to bring back search organizations, such as United Response Search and Rescue, if the first effort at searching is not successful. We ask that everyone please keep this in mind when you are making any comments around Amber. We also need prayers for Rachel and Amber and their family, that Rachel is found soon.


easy fundraisers


7/25/2008

Reminder: Bring Rachel Home Benefit Yard Sale

I wanted to remind everyone about the Bring Rachel Home Benefit Yard Sale, Saturday, July 26 from 8am-3pm in the E.W. James & Sons parking lot. We will also be auctioning collectible items on eBay. More details on that to come!

7/23/2008

Bring Rachel Home Benefit Yard Sale

On Saturday, July 26, we will be hosting a benefit yard sale in the parking lot at E.W. James & Sons (1301 W. Wood St., Paris, TN) to further our efforts to bring in professional search organizations to search for Rachel Conger. We will have a donation box there, and we request that everyone bring in their used cell phones. United Response Search and Rescue Team recycles used cell phones and donates some phones to women's shelters. All phones collected will go toward the funds needed for search and rescue.

7/21/2008

Missing Henry County Girl Found

From the Henry Countian Website:
http://www.henrycountian.com/news.php?viewStory=2937

By Shannon McFarlin

Paris, Tenn. - The 12-year-old girl missing since Sunday has been found safe and sound at a Paris residence.

Mariah Amber Decru, 40 Dorsey Rd., Henry, was found Monday afternoon at a Paris residence following tips called to the Henry County Sheriff's Department.

Criminal Investigation Division Director Damon Lowe said, "We received several tips" from citizens as to the girl's whereabouts throughout the day Monday after the news article appeared in The HenryCountian.

"We were able to track her to a residence in Paris," he said.

The girl was reported missing Sunday evening. She had been dropped off at the 3rd Floor Skate on Washington St. in Paris, but wasn't there when her mother arrived to pick her up at 10:30 p.m.

Lowe said the search continues for Sean Michael Oliver, 16, 7975 Hwy. 69 N, Paris, who has been missing since Friday morning. He was last seen in front of the Maverick convenience store on Memorial Drive.

Lowe asked that anyone with information on Oliver's whereabouts call the sheriff department at 642-1672 or the anonymous tipline at 642-0929.

Two Henry County Juveniles Reported Missing

From the Henry Countian:
http://www.henrycountian.com/news.php?viewStory=2932

Two Juveniles Reported Missing

Posted: Monday, July 21, 2008 10:14 am

Paris, Tenn. - Two local juveniles are reported missing.

According to reports by Henry County Sheriff’s Deputy Wayne Fugua, Sean Michael Oliver, 16, of 7975 Hwy 69 North was picked up for a doctor’s appointment and dropped back off at Maverick gas station in Paris on Friday morning.

Oliver was reported missing around noon by his mother and was last seen wearing a red and white stripped shirt, long blue shorts, and a black baseball cap with NY on it.

In another report, Mariah Amber Decru, 12, of 40 Dorsey Road in Henry was reported missing on Sunday around 1 p.m. According to a report by Deputy Fuqua, Decru was dropped off at 5 p.m. at the 3rd Floor Skate Park at 205 East Wood Street and was not there when her mother went to pick her up at 10:30 p.m.

Decru was last seen wearing a black shirt with skulls, blue jeans, black shoes with pink letter, tongue pierced, and pierce on left of lip.

Update: The Henry County Sheriff's Department is attempting to get a photo of Mariah Decru as well and when we receive it we will publish it.

7/16/2008

United Response Search and Rescue

United Response Search and Rescue Team (URSAR Team) is a 501 (c)(3) volunteer nonprofit organization that is based in Texas. URSAR does search and rescue for missing children and missing adults. United Response Search and Rescue Teams has agreed to assist Amber in searching for missing Rachel Conger. I can honestly say that I find the director of URSAR to be a very caring and compassionate woman, and URSAR comes highly recommended to us from several different sources.

(From the United Response Search and Rescue website)

URSAR Team has more than 100 highly trained members and over 3000 non-member volunteers. Their active team members consist of Law Enforcement Officers (active duty and retired), Homicide Detectives, Swat Team Members, Medical Examiners, Paramedics, Fire Fighters, members of the U.S. Marshall’s Posse, Military Reserve Personnel, retired Navy Core personnel, Forensic Osteoligist, Forensic Psychologist, Criminal Justice Students, Certified Public Safety Divers, Swift Water Rescue Divers, Aquatic Crime Scene Investigators, Pilots, Vet Techs, Social Workers, Educators, Family, and friends of the missing as well as other trained SAR specialist.

United Response Search and Rescue Team has a proven successful track record, providing massive search capabilities in Texas, with positive outcomes. Their team has also helped find missing persons in other states. United Response facilitates a rescue/recovery Command Center for search missions, which is utilized by the SAR Team Incident Command Staff, law enforcement, and the families of the missing person. The center includes computers, printers, copy machines, cell phones, and communication resources.


http://www.ursarteam.org

Interview with WBBJ

Amber did an interview with WBBJ (News Channel 7, out of Jackson, TN) today. She answered questions about her Mom, and the efforts to raise money to bring in a search organization. Her interview with reporter, Lauren Linney, will air tonight (July 16) on the 6:00 P.M. and 10:00 P.M. broadcasts.

7/13/2008

Bring Rachel Home Yard Sale -July 26

On Saturday, July 26, Amber has planned a yard sale that will be held in the E.W. James & Sons parking lot. If anyone is interested in donating items to the yard sale, please contact Lori at bringrachelcongerhome@hotmail.com. We are so thankful that the community continues to support Amber in trying to raise funds so that we can bring professionals in to search for her mother!

I will update the blog as soon as I get a definite time that the yard sale will be.

7/12/2008

Bake Sale Gas Card Giveaway Winners!

At the bake sale, there was an opportunity to win one of two drawings for a $25.00 Shell Gift Gard. Our winners are:

Mr. Michael Key of Puryear, TN and Mr. Larry Conger of Paris, TN.

Congratulations to our winners, and thank you for coming to support Amber to Bring Rachel Home!

Bake Sale Photos


Amber Simmons

Amber Simmons, and volunteer, Steven

Amber Simmons


All photos by Lori Simmons

Bake Sale Photos


Coconut cake, cheddar bacon beer bread,
chocolate chip cookies- it was a tasty day!


Amber Simmons at Bring Rachel Conger Home
Bake Sale


Amber Simmons with volunteer, Steven


Amber Simmons and Dorothy Nichols


Amber Simmons with volunteers, Steven and Billy

All photos by Lori Simmons

Bake Sale Photos


Photo of Rachel Conger on vacation in 2006


Devoted mom with her beautiful girl!


Amber Simmons, daughter of Rachel Conger


Amber Simmons, with volunteer, Steven


Gift card giveaway!

All photos by Lori Simmons

Bake Sale Photos


Amber Simmons, daughter of Rachel Conger,
at bake sale.


Amber Simmons selling goodies at the BRH Bake Sale!



Rachel Conger missing flier.


Rachel Conger memory book, made by
Dorothy Nichols.

All photos by Lori Simmons

Bake Sale

We would like to say thank you to E.W. James & Sons for letting us use their parking lot for the bake sale, and thank you to the UPS Store for printing and distributing fliers for the event. We would also like to give a BIG thank you to all of the people in Henry County that generously donated their money to bring Rachel home! Our grand total for today was $834.60!!! So, our total so far is:

fundraising ideas

7/11/2008

The Safe Space Blurb

The Safe Space has a blurb on an interview that Amber did for BreakTheCycle.org, an organization that aims at breaking the cycle of dating violence in teenage relationships.

She did an excellent job and we're very proud of her!

7/09/2008

Bring Rachel Home Bake Sale

Be sure to stop by the “Bring Rachel Conger Home” Bake Sale on July 12 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., in the E.W. James & Sons parking lot at 1301 West Wood Street in Paris , Tennessee .

All proceeds raised will help open doors financially for us to bring in Search and Rescue organizations to search for Rachel Conger, missing since March 13, 2008. The communities contributions will help us reach our immediate needed goal of $4,000, to begin utilizing and continue on-going search efforts with the rising gas and travel expenses.


The bake sale is organized by Rachel's 13-year-old daughter, Amber Simmons, and there will be many delicious pastries for sale, including Pecan pie,Danish pastries, caramel pie, peach cobbler, zucchini bread, cookies, fudge, and several different kinds of cake and teacake. We can always use more, so if you would like to donate a baked item, bring it to the E.W. James & Sons parking lot by 8 a.m. on the day of the sale.

When you visit the bake sale, do not forget to buy a raffle ticket for a chance to win one of two $25 Gas Gift Cards.

If you cannot make it to the “Bring Rachel Conger Home” Bake Sale, you can still donate to the tax deductiable,Rachel Conger Special Account, “ Bring Rachel Home ,” Account No. 8038-010, at the Holley Credit Union in Paris , Tennessee .

Rachel Conger is a young mother who was last seen the morning of March 13, 2008. A witness saw her getting into a Ford F-150 in the Como area with her estranged husband. She has not been seen since. Please contact the Henry County Sheriff’s Office at 731-642-1672 if you have any information about this case. For more details about the Bake Sale and our efforts to “Bring Rachel Conger Home,” please visit http://bringrachelhome.blogspot.com or send an e-mail to bringrachelcongerhome@hotmail.com.

7/07/2008

"Bring Rachel Home" Special Account Set Up

If anyone would like to donate to the Bring Rachel Home fund, the tax-deductible bank account is set up at:
Holley Credit Union
1107 Mineral Wells Ave.
Paris, TN 38242

*Information required*
Rachel Conger Special Account "Bring Rachel Home"
Account# 8038-010

Thank you everyone for your continued support!

7/06/2008

Fundraising Thermometer

Our initial goal is to raise $4,000 for the Bring Rachel Conger Home fund. On July 7, we should have the bank account information ready to post. Until then, we are posting this fundraising thermometer so that everyone knows where we stand so far!

original fundraising ideas

7/01/2008

Prayer for a Missing Person

Prayer for the Family of a Missing Person

Dear Lord, hear me in my plea.

I ask You, if it be Your Will, for the quick and safe return of Rachel to her loved ones. If it not be Your Will at this time, Lord, then I ask for the graces necessary for her loved ones to be able to carry this cross. Even though it may seem like the darkest of times, let them know that the light of Your Love shines ever so brightly upon them and that You have wrapped them in the mantle of Your most generous and Sacred Heart.

Please, Lord, as a new day dawns without Rachel, let them know that as they take each difficult step forward, You are right there by their side. When they falter, let them know that it is You who pick up their cross and enable them to carry on. May they never doubt Your immense love of them, and may they find the peace and joy that comes from loving You. Amen.

Written by Kelly Jolkowski

Project Jason Website

Missing Poster of Rachel Conger



This is the Missing poster that we have created for Rachel, to view the poster as a larger image, click on the poster and it will create a larger image.

Rachel Conger Benefit Car Wash

At the Rachel Conger benefit car wash that was held on June 27 at Advanced Auto Parts in Paris, TN organizers raised $500 to go toward the Rachel Conger search fund. We would like to thank Advanced Auto Parts for letting us have the car wash there, the kind people that donated money toward finding Rachel and our volunteers that helped to wash cars all day!

On July 12, another benefit fundraiser has been organized. We are holding a bake sale at E.W. James & Sons on West Wood/Hwy 54 in Paris, TN.