Family friend Amy Alvano said on Facebook last Thursday that the blue ribbon campaign was started by neighbors of Matt and Melissa. She wrote:
“Please share at the request of the friends and loved ones. Melissa and Matt’s neighbors are starting a campaign to tie blue ribbons to every tree. It is a beautiful sign of solidarity for the family and they need to see we are with them. Please share with your homeowners associations, or please take head of it in your own neighborhoods. We have been asked by so many what they can do to help and this would be a great place to start. We would appreciate any and all help to get this going. Thank you again for all of the support and please continue praying for them all.”
“Melissa and I continue to deal with the loss of our beloved boy, Lane, and are overwhelmed with the support and love we have received from family and friends in our community as well as from around the country. We understand the public’s interest, but as we move forward this weekend, we ask for and appreciate the privacy we need to lay our son to rest. Neither Melissa, myself or anyone from our family will be speaking publicly; we simply cannot at this time.”
The Graves family remembered their son, who was drowned by an alligator near Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, at a funeral liturgy this morning at St. Patrick’s. The parish has posted a notice, thanking people for their love, prayers and support. They also suggest ways that people can support the family during this difficult time:
2- Tie a royal blue ribbon around your tree to show your love and support.
3- Donations of any kind; letters, monetary, items, mass intentions can be sent to:St. Patricks Church
20500 W. Maple Road
Elkhorn, NE 68022
Any checks should be made out to St. Patrick’s Church. To ensure that 100% of all donations for the Graves family are received, Liturgical Publications -WeShare (the parish’s online donation service) will be donating back any processing fees.