Threading the love
Damaged floors at the Cigelske house. Courtesy of www.saveteecycle.org.
Devastation isn’t quite the word to describe what Cigelske family has experienced.
The Teecyle family’s White Fish Bay home was essentially destroyed on July 22, the night of the infamous “Brew City Flood.” After the rains let up, Tim says that he and wife Jess were in a state of disbelief — the extent of the damage hadn’t quite sunk in as they frantically began ripping up layers of sopping wet carpet. By the time they reached the nursery, it finally hit them: This was not going to dry out after a few days. This was much, much worse. Flood damage isn’t covered by homeowner’s insurance, and disaster relief isn’t coming anytime soon.
Now Tim, Jess and their new baby Clara are without a home, but not without support of a community that loves them.
Tim Cigelske might be known as “Teecycle Tim,” the guy who resells vintage tees, but really, he is part of the glue that keeps the Milwaukee community so tight. That day, Tim reports that a team of friends and family showed up and got to work. Later, he tweeted about his situation, but had no idea that his missive would catch the attention of two people that would change his life.
Katie Klein-Murphy and Sue Spaight immediately stepped forward to help.
Jess, Clara and Tim Cigelske. Courtesy of www.saveteecycle.org.
“I didn’t know if they could help. We were just so in over our heads…it just blows me away,” Tim says.
He of course is talking about the giant whirlwind that came about when the community pulled together to create fundraising efforts to repair the Cigelske house.
“One thing led to another, and then an event was created,” said Cigelske.
The event, to be held at Sprecher Brewery on Sept. 18 at 7 p.m., will help to raise funds through raffle and silent auction as well as a unique, “Shirt of your back” experience to help repair and rebuild the Cigelske home.
People entering the party will have the chance to be a walking model of a Teecycle tee which will be bid on throughout the night. At the end of the bidding, the winner will receive the shirt straight off of the model’s back. Other raffles and silent auctions will occur as food and beer are served courtesy of Coa Mexican Restaurant and Sprecher Brewery.
Many local companies and organizations have donated their time, effort and goods to help make this party a success, and all are welcome to attend.
And just in case you were wondering, Teecycle.org is still up and running, and not surprisingly, shirts are flying off the shelves.
For more information on helping the Cigelske’s and the fundraising event, please visit www.saveteecycle.org. Donations can be made in the form of money, t-shirts and/or attending the event.
