Molly and Joe Van Gieson have been avid fans of the Axemen since their introduction to the Jacksonville team during the 2008 Australia Day Challenge that saw the South Sydney Rabbitohs from Australia face the Leeds Rhinos from the UK at Hodges Stadium. Ever since that day they have been Axemen season ticket holders and make the drive down from their Georgia home to sit in the front row at every home game. Even during the season that the Axemen played on the practice field as construction at Hodges stadium was completed, both Molly and Joe would be sitting on the sideline no matter what the weather or ground conditions. Joe would be there in the Axemen Jersey he purchased at his first game and Molly would be sitting beside him; they became two of the most recognizable fans to all the players and the Axe Maidens.
Last week Joe sent an e-mail to the Axemen letting them know Molly had become ill and had been admitted to hospital in St Mary's Georgia. It looked as if she would still be there on August 8, which was their 22nd wedding anniversary. He had asked if the team could possibly make a phone call or send a card to cheer her up during this trying time, as Axemen games are one of the few things that always brings a smile to her face.
Within an hour of receiving the email the Axemen had made contact with the hospital to confirm they could visit on Sundays and then reached out to Joe to ask what time he was planning on being at the hospital to celebrate their special day. A group of Axemen players and Axe Maiden cheerleaders had already set a plan to visit them both in an effort to make the day even more special.
Arranging transport for the group on such short notice, over a weekend no less, was made easy when Arlington Toyota provided vehicles for the team to make the hour drive north for the Sunday visit. Arlington Toyota not only sells and services new and used vehicles, they also operate a great rental department that is an amazing service for their customers and for those last minute "special occasions".
The players and members of the Axe Maidens had kept the visit a total surprise from Molly, and the look on her face was priceless as Joe answered the knock on the door to her room and one by one the players filed in and surrounded her bed. The Axe Maiden director, Darlene Clancy presented Molly with an official hat that made her the "14th" member of the Axe Maidens. The group spent close to an hour chatting and swapping stories that ranged from Axemen games to the journey that bought the Van Giesons south from New York over 20 years ago. They laughed and joked about a variety of things, not the least of which being Axemen "funny man", Bob Knoepfel, finding a box of rubber gloves and blowing them up over his head and constant jokes about how coach Spinner Howland may want to "test drive" the walking frame that was in the corner of the room. By the end of the visit everyone had almost forgotten they were in a hospital and both Molly and Joe made a promise to the players that they would be in their usual seats for the August 21st home playoff game.
When asked why they made the trip, Spinner said, "It's pretty simple. These people have supported us by driving down to watch us play for three years and they're at every event the team hosts. They buy our shirts, they scream at our games and they offer us words of support on the days we are down. Anyone who doesn't think spending a few hours with such great people under these circumstance has no place on the Jacksonville Axemen team. Anyone who read the email Joe sent and knew the history of their love of our team would have done exactly the same thing."
We are the ones who should be thankful that we have fans like this!!
Name: Joe Van Gieson
Email: XXXXXXXXXX
Comments/Questions: Molly is very sick. She has been on Disability for almost all of our three years of being fans of the Axemen. Her current hospitalisation is especially irksome since Sunday the eigth is our twenty-second wedding anniversary. If it is at all possible do you think that you could maybe send a card of even just an e-mail to her? I know that it would cheer her up very much if she were to receive a message from any of the team she loves so much. In the twenty-five years I have known her she has never had any interest whatsoever in sports of any kind and would even leave the room if there were a game (in any sport) on the TV. When she went to her first Rugby match (Leeds v Rabbitohs) I was very surprised how much she enjoyed it. The next season, when the team played on the other field she became a diehard fan who has come to truly love the game and especially cherish any contact she has had with you, Spinner and each of the players. Her memory and her reason are affected by the disease and she may not be able to make it to a game again (though she has amazed me before)but she sure remembers and loves each of you guys and also equally the Axe Maidens. She has firm belief and faith that she'll pull out of this latest downturn and I hope that she does (I pray every day)but to help her along, a card or something would go a long was towards her recovery. Our address:XXXXXXXX. Kingsland GA 31546 Her phone number in the Hospital is 912-576-XXXX and her e-mail is this one:XXXXXXXX. Thanks so much for all the enjoyment you have given us and all the thrills you will give us in the future. I've told you before, Spinner, you guys have extended her life, of that I have no doubt. I will forever be in your debt for that and thanks from my heart for all you have already done for us, just two old, worn Rugby League fans who love each other and love the sport of Rugby League and especially the soon to be AMNRL Champions: The Jacksonville Axemen. Joe Van Gieson.