A Road to Remember

Great new additions! Click here to read about Al and Amanda's pilgrimage as written in Al's alma mater's, Hillsdale College"Magazine" and Click here to read the article published in California's Graduate Theological Union's Website and... Click here to read Amanda's blog with great detail and pictures. To read in order of the entries, click on May 2011 and then "Waiting at the airport". In upper right of each entry is a link taking you to the next. See Al's pictures and messages! See IMAGES link found below!

Lillian Schaffer at her son Kirk's wedding in 1980	Lillian Charn Schaffer died on May 20, 2010 from amyloidosis. Within seven weeks of Lillian's death her two older sisters, Arlene and Virginia, unbelievably also passed away. To honor the memory of the three "Charn girls," Lillian's husband Al and daughter Amanda will be walking the Camino de Santiago de Compostela, the 500 mile pilgrimage route across northern Spain. They will be walking the trail in 2011 during the one year commemorative period of the sisters' passing.	The Charn Sisters L to R: Lillian Schaffer (April 24, 1935 - May 20, 2010), Arlene Lindquist (Aug. 28, 1926 - June 27, 2010), and Virginia Olsen Seeder (March 2, 1920 - July 8, 2010)

Both Al and Amanda have decided to make their pilgrimage more than just a walk of remembrance. To honor the "Charn girls" and their Swedish heritage, Amanda, an art history graduate student, has casted ceramic objects in the shape of Dala horses to leave behind at shrines along the Camino route.

In memory of Lillian, contributions are welcome for either of two special causes. One cause involves restoration of the pipe organ at the First Presbyterian Church in Blissfield, Michigan where Lil sang solos in the choir. Not long before her passing she had expressed a desire to see the once beautiful pipe organ restored and in playing order again. You may honor Lil by making a donation to the organ restoration fund by clicking on the link below. Please click on the Organ Restoration Project link on the church's web site.

Another way to contribute is through a donation to the Amyloidosis Foundation to fund research to help find a cure for the disease that took Lil’s life. Use the link found below to find out how you can contribute to the foundation. Or simply click here.

Al, Amanda, Jeff, and Kirk Schaffer thank you for your contributions in memory of Lillian.

Click here to read their open letter that was read at the church's Organ Restoration Concert.

NOTE: Please specify that your pledge per mile or donation is in honor of Lillian Charn Schaffer.

Click this link, or the one below, to read and view a video of Al's great interview with San Diego State's (NCAA Sweet-Sixteen) SDSU NewsCenter entitled, "A Season of Healing", "Al Schaffer finds solace in his volunteer role with the SDSU men’s basketball team!"

Click here, or on the IMAGES link below to see how Al and Amanda prepare for their mission.

*The scallop shell is the long-time, traditional symbol of the Camino de Santiago de Compostela.*
Click to learn more	*Click to learn more*	Click to learn more	*Click to learn more*	Click to learn more	*Click to learn more*