The tragedy left the Mapleton, Utah family of 10 children without a father and a mother with serious injuries that will require months of rehabilitation.  Making this challenge even more difficult are the mounting medical bills that are up to $283,000 and rising.

Friends, neighbors, church members and even complete strangers helped organize a fundraiser that was held Feb. 18 at the Utah Valley University McKay Center.  Individual and corporate sponsors stepped up in providing goods and services including a dinner, silent auction, entertainment and live auction.  An estimated 1,200 people attended the event and helped raise over $70,000 for the family.  APX and the APX Family Foundation also made contributions totaling close to $20,000.

The Faust oldest son, A.J. works for APX as an NIS home security consultant and found himself thrust into doing everything he can to help keep the family together.

Regarding the support the family has received, A.J. said, “I am so grateful for the love and compassion expressed by everyone here at APX. Some I have known well and some I have never met, but the love and support has been freely given from day one.  Ever since the accident, I have had help for my family from APX.  Many of my friends and co-workers stepped up to help my family donating sales and their own personal money.  I am especially grateful for the leadership here at APX. They have been so understanding and have helped to cover immediate needs as well as offering to help throughout the whole experience. We are just deeply grateful for the love and support offered to our family during the hardest experience we have ever been through.”

For those who wish to make a contribution may do so at any Zions Bank branch through the Damon Faust Fund.

In 2009, Operation Cookie Drop raised more donations than ever and was able to contribute almost 71,000 boxes of cookies.  Since the program started in 2005, more than 221,000 boxes of cookies have been shipped to our military troops stationed in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other bases throughout the world.

“We fail to realize all the things we took for granted back in the states, and yes the Girl Scout cookies were one of those things,” said a soldier with the 82nd Airborne in Afghanistan.  “We received boxes for a company of 120 soldiers and how we fought over our favorite ones of course.  Again, thank you for all your support.”

Those wishing to make individual donations can give monetary donations to a Girl Scout or Girl Scout troop during the annual cookie sale program.  The 2010 sales will end on March 14.  Frequently asked questions can be viewed at http://www.nccoastalpines.org/home/CookiesProducts/Cookies/FAQs.aspx

The 5K run and 1 mile walk will be held at the Now I can Foundation located at 1675 N. Freedom Blvd, Provo, Utah.  Registration costs are $15 per person for the 5K event and $10 per person for the 1 mile walk.

Now I Can is a nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to helping disabled children reach their full potential and make greater strides towards independence.  They have combined the most effective methods of physical therapy with the most outstanding therapy team – making their therapy unique and sought after by families across the country.

Now I Can welcomes children of any age who want to improve their strength and independence, relieve pain, or recover from injury. 

For additional information, please contact Now I Can at 801-228-1935 or visit their website at www.nowican.org.

In response to Haiti’s desperate need for medical supplies, APX Alarm and the International Aid Serving Kids (IASK) held a “Medical Supply Drive” on January 23 at the new APX Alarm corporate headquarters in Provo.  Local businesses and concerned citizens were encouraged to bring donations where teams of volunteers sorted and prepared the supplies for delivery to Haiti.

IASK is a non-profit organization that specializes in providing medical and dental care to children in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.  APX Alarm also made a contribution of $5,000 on Feb. 17 to assist in the ongoing relief efforts.  A day later, organizer Illens Dort, a native of Haiti, led a team of 30 medical and surgical specialists to Leogane, Haiti.

“There has already been an amazing outpouring of support from our employees to get involved, following this unimaginable human tragedy,” says Josh Houser, President of the APX Family Foundation. “The challenges faced in the country will still take a considerable amount of time and resources in the future to help those in need.”

Those who wish to contribute online or learn more about the organization may visit www.liftalife.org.

“What a great way for us at APX to celebrate the life and mission of Martin Luther King Jr. than through providing service to those in need,” said Krissy Weekly, APX Gives Back Coordinator. Our mission of protecting families is consistent with the ideals and principles of making our communities stronger.”

An estimated 1,500 volunteers from throughout Utah County came to support the day of service which included, blood drives, quilt making, making dolls and hats for children and writing letters to our military men and women serving overseas.

More than 30 off-campus service projects were organized including Habitat for Humanity, LDS Humanitarian Services and United Way of Utah County.

As part of the APX Family Foundation, the company partnered for the second consecutive year with the United Way of Utah County, Sub for Santa program. APX Alarm employees helped raised over $60,000 for families and children in Utah with an additional $40,000 set aside for families in need throughout the U.S. and Canada.

“With the slump in the economy, we have seen an increase in families applying for help who have never needed it before,” said Jenn Kilstrom, director of United Way of Utah County Sub for Santa. “This program provides community members with the opportunity to provide a little holiday cheer for Utah County children whose families are facing difficult circumstances.”

An estimated 300 APX employees and family members gathered together earlier this month at the company’s new corporate headquarters to purchase gift requests and package for delivery to families along the Wasatch Front. Other regional offices including; Rexburg, Idaho, Cedar City, Utah, St. Paul, Minnesota and Calgary, Alberta also participated in the program.

“Sub for Santa is such a terrific program that does so much for children during the holidays,” said Josh Houser, President of the APX Family Foundation. “Our employees have rallied behind this effort and really look forward to this time of year when we are able to shop, package and deliver the gifts.

About United Way of Utah County Sub for Santa
United Way of Utah County Sub for Santa program is a temporary assistance program that provides Christmas gifts for children through sponsors and is designed to foster self-sufficiency by helping applicants learn different ways to manage their time, money and talents. The program is part of United Way of Utah County’s focus on building financially stable families.

The following is a letter from Becky Youkstetter, Manager of Special Events with the Make-A-Wish Foundations who highlights this special young man.

Dallin is a happy teenage boy. His mom says that he finds people hilarious and loves to laugh. However, unlike most boys his age, Dallin can’t speak. When he was two he became very ill and lost his verbal skills. He also suffers from muscular atrophy, a progressive condition in which the muscles in the arms and legs begin to deteriorate and epilepsy, a seizure disorder. In spite of his physical ailments, he is a happy kid. Dallin has a huge obsession with vacuums. He loves playing with them, looking at them and even seeing advertisements for them. In fact, when he was invited to come to A Wishing Place, he was too scared to come in, until his wish granter pulled out a vacuum! That took away Dallin’s fears right away. More than anything though, Dallin loves to swim and it was no surprise that he wished for a swimming pool in his backyard.

His wish granters worked hard to get Dallin his pool while the weather was still warm and sunny so that he would have time to enjoy it before the cold set in. They even bought him a special vest that helps keep him upright in the pool. He was ecstatic when he saw his pool for the first time. His parent’s tell us that he is in the pool at sunrise and has to be dragged out of the pool after dark. He doesn’t like to share his pool though and he’ll quickly splash any possible intruders (except for mom).

Dallin was invited to come to A Wishing Place for a star raising ceremony. Each wish child receives a stained glass star that they can sign and then raise to our ceiling to join the star constellation of other wish children. The night of his ceremony his wish granters presented him with his very own vacuum! He played with it all night, but didn’t plug it in (the noise scares him.) His family enjoyed a snack of french fries, Dallin’s favorite food. It was clear that his wish granters put in a lot of effort to bring more smiles and laughter into Dallin’s life.

Provo, Utah, Nov. 30, 2009 – APX Alarm, one of the nation’s largest residential security alarm companies, announced today it is has donated $30,000 to Provo’s Community Action Services and Food Bank. The donation was used for needed equipment and food supplies during the holiday season.

As part of the APX Family Foundation, the company made the donation with part of the proceeds used towards the purchase of a much needed forklift required to move and store donated items at the Community Action Services facility. The remaining portion of the donation went towards the purchase and assembly of Thanksgiving dinner for over 820 local families in need. The boxes would feed up to 4,000 people.

In previous years, Community Action Services has provided food for over 300 families each day during the Thanksgiving week. However, the number of people hit hard by the economic slowdown increased dramatically this year.

“Right now, we don’t even have enough turkey dinners for one day’s worth of requests,” said Jim Thomas, program manager for Community Action Food Bank. The donation from APX Alarm has helped in such a positive way. As our resources have been strained they have stepped in to help us meet the increasing demand.”

Over 90 APX Alarm employees and other volunteers assembled the dinners, transported boxes and distributed the meals.

About Community Action Services and Food Bank
Community Action Services and Food Bank is part of America’s largest poverty fighting network. We are one of more than 1,100 Community Action Agencies across the country who is working to fulfill the Promise of Community Action.

APX Alarm, one of the nation’s largest residential security alarm companies, announced today it has launched a community donation challenge to assist hundreds of families in financial need during the holiday season.

Appearing on KUTV “2News This Morning, APX Alarm CEO, Todd Pedersen announced for the second consecutive year, APX Alarm has partnered with United Way of Utah County to support the Sub for Santa program. Pedersen shared how APX employees had raised $60,000 to be used entirely for families and children in Utah County. He also issued a challenge for other companies and interested parties to provide additional support as a result of the ongoing economic slowdown impacting a growing number of families along the Wasatch Front.

“The number of families and children impacted by the ongoing economic hardships continues to grow all around us,” said Todd Pedersen, CEO of APX Alarm. “We are thrilled to be involved as a company with such a terrific organization and initiative to help those children and families in need.”

“With the slump in the economy, we have seen an increase in families applying for help who have never needed it before,” said Jenn Kilstrom, director of United Way of Utah County Sub for Santa. “This program provides community members with the opportunity to provide a little holiday cheer for Utah County children whose families are facing difficult circumstances.”

Donations for Sub for Santa may be made directly to United Way in Utah County by calling 801-374-2588 or by visiting www.unitedwayuc.org.

About United Way of Utah County Sub for Santa
United Way of Utah County Sub for Santa program is a temporary assistance program that provides Christmas gifts for children through sponsors and is designed to foster self-sufficiency by helping applicants learn different ways to manage their time, money and talents. The program is part of United Way of Utah County’s focus on building financially stable families.

Recently, APX Alarm was made aware of a special family in Colorado. Katelyn, is a young seven year old girl who has overcome a number of medical challenges from birth. Hearing became an increasing challenge for her in every aspect of life but especially at home and at school. Through the APX Family Foundation, Katelyn was able to receive new hearing aids which came at a particular challenging time in their household.

The following is a letter sent to the APX Family Foundation from Katelyn’s mother Rachael.

Dear APX and All Who Were Involved in This Special Gift,

Thank you so much for your generous gift to our daughter Katelyn. With your wonderful donation, you have given our daughter the gift of hearing. Words cannot express our gratitude and appreciation for all you have done. It is heartwarming to know there are people who care so much for others and are so willing to share.

Katelyn was born with a number of medical problems including, a cleft palate, strabismus, hearing loss, elevated pressure on her brain and a deletion on her 22Q chromosome. She has been through multiple surgeries and visited many specialists, to help resolve and treat her issues, throughout most of her life.

My husband lost his job in April and has been intensely looking for work ever since, but presently we are still without a job. When we were told that Katelyn needed hearing aids and the costs involved, we were overwhelmed and had no idea how we were going to get them for her. We know you were an answer to our prayers. Thank you for touching our lives in the way that you have. Please know you picked such a sweet little girl to give this gift of hearing to.

When Katelyn got her hearing aids for the first time, we were driving home from the doctor’s office and she asked me what the click, clack, click, clack, sound was. It was the turn signal in our car. Because of her hearing loss, never before in her 7 years of life had she ever been able to hear the turn signal working. It has been delightful to watch as she had heard the wind for the first time, the dishwasher working, someone whispering to her and actually been able to hear and hearing when we called her for dinner.

Click Here to See Katelyn’s Letter to APX Alarm

In the short time she has had her hearing aids, they have had a significant impact in her life. Her speech is improving, she can actually hear what the teacher is saying in school and can finally have a normal conversation with kids on the playground or in the lunchroom. You will never know how much your gift and generosity has meant to our family!

I have enclosed some pictures of Katelyn and her hearing aids. I hope you know how profoundly grateful we are you and how highly we regard APX, as a company. Thanks for making the gift of hearing a reality and blessing Katelyn’s life so she could finally hear and enjoy being just a normal seven year old!

Sincerely,

Rachael and Richard S”