A Message of Appreciation from the Van Zandt Family Trust

There is no adequate way to thank all of you who gave of yourselves, your time, your money, and your love to our family that has needed help so badly. But…thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Your contributions to the trust over these months, and including most recently the fabulous Tommy’s Nite Out event in Fayetteville, have literally been “manna from heaven” to Tommy, Robyn, Ross and Jack.

We are encouraged and over-whelmed with thankfulness to God and to all of you.

Your generosity is overwhelming, and the family will never forget what you have done for us. Tommy wants everyone to know that he is starting back to work part-time already, and that he is determined to build up income and add value once again to the Sage Partners team at the office.

The contributions to the Family Trust are enough at this time to last for several months to pay family expenses, including nursing care for Tommy. It is my understanding that another “Tommy’s Nite Out Benefit” is being discussed for next year. This is awesome news for the family. Right now we are asking for your prayers for Tommy’s on-going recovery. Please pray also for strength for Robyn, Ross, and Jack. Finally, please pray for Tommy’s care-givers to love and nurture him in his recovery.

If you have not seen or talked with Tommy recently, his attitude continues to be amazing! He is so focused on the good that God has planned for his life and all that he has the privilege to touch. Keep your cards and emails coming. He and Robyn will continue to need and appreciate your encouragement.

Their contact information is:

Email – tvanzandt@sagepartners.us

Home address – 2044 Winchester Place, Fayetteville, AR 72701


Thank you and God bless you and your family,

Mark Saviers, Co-Trustee, Van Zandt Family Trust

"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

Words of reflection and thanks from Robyn...

I wanted to take this opportunity on behalf of our entire family to thank all of you for supporting us over the last 8 months. As you can imagine, our entire world has been turned upside down. In a matter of seconds my healthy husband was paralyzed from the neck down. Earth shaking, mind blowing, heart pumping, yet spiritually invigorating. There is no possible way I can explain my experience of the last eight months in a few short minutes, but it has been harder than and more blessed than you can possibly imagine. From the moment Tommy fell he began praying, the moment I got in the ambulance I began praying, when our neighbors saw the ambulance they began praying and the praying hasn’t stopped. It has not stopped and it is what sustains us to this day. Not only have your prayers sustained us, but your willingness to step forward and help us in very real and meaningful ways has been invaluable.

As most of you know, Tommy grew up in Arkansas and from the day I met him he did not stop bragging about Arkansas. Being from Mississippi, I thought what in the world is the big deal. But then I met his family and fell in love with them. Soon after I began meeting his Arkansas friends in Dallas. Great people. Then we began visiting Northwest Arkansas. I too fell in love with Arkansas’ beauty and the people. We made the big leap of faith and moved here in the summer of 2000. We have not looked back since. We still love our friends in Dallas, and thoroughly enjoy visiting, but Arkansas is home. This community has turned out tremendously for us during this difficult time. The spirit of love, friendship, concern and support is real and it sustains our hope for the future. We will never be able to properly thank you for the impact you have had on us. We just hope to pay it forward some day. I have always considered Tommy a gift and a special man. It occurred to me one day, he is not just meant for me and our family. A gift this good is meant to be shared. Thank you for sharing our lives with us. May God bless you as you have blessed us.

We love you and believe it or not this Longhorn is proud to say Go Hogs!!!!!


And a thank you for "Tommy's Nite Out"...

Tommy and I also want to thank everyone who worked so hard to make "Tommy's Nite Out" an overwhelming success. We are blown away by the generosity of people's time, talent and treasure. The Spirit was palpable at the gathering and we continue to be uplifted by the love of our friends and even of people who do not know us personally but who have reached out to us financially, and with their encouragement and prayers. This has been quite the journey so far with many ups and downs. Our Spirits hold steadfast in the belief that we will overcome this tragedy with hope and blessing. We ask that you continue to support us especially with your prayers as this has been called by many a marathon and not a sprint. Tommy and I continue to pray that anyone who has even read the blog or thought a kind thought towards us let alone reached out to us will be blessed. We would also like to specifically thank Neal and Gina Pendergraft for opening their home for the event, to Tony and Mary Beth Sherman for presenting the idea and then making it happen through their tireless and passionate work, to the steering committee for persevering from a loose band of friends to a dynamite event organizing team, to all of you who volunteered countless hours of your time to make the party so fun and successful and to all of those who came out on that cold night to celebrate friendship and life. We truly wish we could personally thank you, but we hope this will suffice for now and maybe some day we can thank you personally for making a real difference in our lives.

Love to all and God Bless You,
Tommy, Robyn, Ross and Jack Van Zandt


The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26

Good News! Tommy made a trip to his office yesterday. T.J. shared, “Tommy came to work today for the first time, it was awesome! He wheeled in on his own and we talked for almost 2 hours about office stuff and deals. He got to go back in his office too!”

Praise God, because in the midst of difficulty, He is so good to bring encouragement and hope!

"For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Wow! Wow! Wow! Tommy's Nite Out was an amazing celebration of Tommy and our community. More than 800 people gathered to show their support for the Van Zandt family while enjoying fabulous music, great food, awesome auction items and best of all, time with the most beautiful friends imaginable. For anyone who has lost faith in the goodness and generosity of people, let me assure you that it still exists! Please continue to pray for strength and wellness over the coming months and praise God for the powerful gift of friendship.

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-the fruit of lips that confess His name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:15-16

Tommy is out of the hospital and enjoying being home! Robyn and Tommy are scheduled to pick up their new van this Friday and their first trip out will be to the fundraiser! Tommy and Robyn are extremely excited about seeing everyone Friday night and ask for your prayers that all the details of the fundraiser run smoothly and that Tommy continues to feel well.

"You have granted me life and loving kindness; and Your care has preserved my spirit." Job 10:12