Help Rachel Go to Japan
Hello there! My name is Megen Nelson, and I’ve set up this GoFundMe for my best friend Rachel Heissner (the one on the left in the picture above!).
I’ve known Rachel since I was seven years old, and we’ve been through a lot together!
Rachel has had it rough for a long time, ever since high school ended in 2009. I won’t go into too much detail, but a few years ago her mother was diagnosed with lung cancer, and sadly passed away (among many, many other sad things.). Her ashes were taken back to Japan with Rachel’s aunt, to be buried with her grandparents.
Rachel was born on a US military base in Japan, and her mother’s side of the family is still living there! Myself and six of our friends are planning a trip to Japan in June this year, and we’ve been saving up for it since last year. We all want Rachel to come with us so she can try to visit her family! (And of course have some much needed fun).
Rachel managed to save up a good amount of money for the trip, but then something happened… Rachel explains below.
I offered to help her pay for her plane tickets, and another friend has offered to spot her for the rooms temporarily, because we all really want her to be able to go with us.
I’ve offered to share my food with her, as well as other expenses, but if you could find it in your heart to help her raise some money to not only help pay for her ticket and the room, but to also have a fun time, see her family, and forget all the bad things that have happened for a little while, we would be eternally grateful and humbled by your thoughtfulness!
This account is set up on Rachel's Facebook, so she has control of everything on here. I'm just helping her set up! :)
Here is what Rachel wrote up for everyone:
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Hey all~
I've been pretty quiet about this, but for a long time coming I have been trying to save money to go to Japan this summer with a few friends of mine! I've been wanting to go to Japan for a long time to see where I was born, to see the country that people always ask me 'what's it like' because, yeah I remember EXACTLY what Japan looked like when I was one, right?
It will hopefully be a good recharge after doing nothing but being tired and working a lot as well. I haven't ever been on a legitimate vacation, EVER, and it would be really nice. It is also for me to hopefully meet with my aunt (granted we don't speak each other’s language, but you know).
I would also really like to see my mom who is buried there along with my grandparents.
But, it's getting to crunch time and an unexpected need for a new car radiator took out a nice chunk of the money I had saved. While my plane ticket is secured, funds for the house, really expensive train tickets, food and other necessities *coughsouvinerscough* are something that in itself take a lot of money.
So, I'm here asking for a little help. I would be eternally grateful and can offer my art services in exchange for any donation. ;) Even just passing on the link for my GoFundMe would be a huge help.
This is literally a once in a lifetime opportunity for me, and I would really love to enjoy it and be able to see my mom once more.
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Megen here again!
We’ve broken down the costs, so that you know what your money will go to!
Plane tickets: $904 round trip (I’ve already purchased these for both myself and Rachel! I’ve offered to spot her on half, so she needs $452)
AinBNB Rooms: $279 (One week in Tokyo, one week in Kyoto)
Food: $300-500 (We have a refrigerator in the rooms so we’ll be getting groceries to cut costs!)
Shinkansen ticket to Kyoto: Around $150-$200
Public transit expenses (taxi’s, trains and such): $100
Other Expenses: $300-$400 (Entry into parks and museums, +souvenirs. Also some margin in case clothes get lost or something unspeakable happens!)
GoFundMe Fees: 7.9% + .30 per transaction: About $200 (depending on how many people donate!)
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Now here are the goals!
Ultimate goal: $2,600
The ultimate goal will cover all expenses! Rachel will be able to go without any trouble at all!
Median goal: $1,600
With this goal, Rachel will be able to still have fun, and still manage to have a little extra just in case!
Minimum goal: $1,400
With this goal, the basics are met!
Even if we don’t reach the ultimate goal, any support at all helps! I’ll definitely be helping her out while we’re over there, but I’m just one person, so if you can find it in your heart to donate a coffee or even a meal for a day for her, we would all be eternally grateful!
Rachel has also offered to do artwork for anyone who donates! She’s an awesome artist, and here is some of her work:
I’ve known Rachel since I was seven years old, and we’ve been through a lot together!
Rachel has had it rough for a long time, ever since high school ended in 2009. I won’t go into too much detail, but a few years ago her mother was diagnosed with lung cancer, and sadly passed away (among many, many other sad things.). Her ashes were taken back to Japan with Rachel’s aunt, to be buried with her grandparents.
Rachel was born on a US military base in Japan, and her mother’s side of the family is still living there! Myself and six of our friends are planning a trip to Japan in June this year, and we’ve been saving up for it since last year. We all want Rachel to come with us so she can try to visit her family! (And of course have some much needed fun).
Rachel managed to save up a good amount of money for the trip, but then something happened… Rachel explains below.
I offered to help her pay for her plane tickets, and another friend has offered to spot her for the rooms temporarily, because we all really want her to be able to go with us.
I’ve offered to share my food with her, as well as other expenses, but if you could find it in your heart to help her raise some money to not only help pay for her ticket and the room, but to also have a fun time, see her family, and forget all the bad things that have happened for a little while, we would be eternally grateful and humbled by your thoughtfulness!
This account is set up on Rachel's Facebook, so she has control of everything on here. I'm just helping her set up! :)
Here is what Rachel wrote up for everyone:
-----------------------------
Hey all~
I've been pretty quiet about this, but for a long time coming I have been trying to save money to go to Japan this summer with a few friends of mine! I've been wanting to go to Japan for a long time to see where I was born, to see the country that people always ask me 'what's it like' because, yeah I remember EXACTLY what Japan looked like when I was one, right?
It will hopefully be a good recharge after doing nothing but being tired and working a lot as well. I haven't ever been on a legitimate vacation, EVER, and it would be really nice. It is also for me to hopefully meet with my aunt (granted we don't speak each other’s language, but you know).
I would also really like to see my mom who is buried there along with my grandparents.
But, it's getting to crunch time and an unexpected need for a new car radiator took out a nice chunk of the money I had saved. While my plane ticket is secured, funds for the house, really expensive train tickets, food and other necessities *coughsouvinerscough* are something that in itself take a lot of money.
So, I'm here asking for a little help. I would be eternally grateful and can offer my art services in exchange for any donation. ;) Even just passing on the link for my GoFundMe would be a huge help.
This is literally a once in a lifetime opportunity for me, and I would really love to enjoy it and be able to see my mom once more.
-----------------------
Megen here again!
We’ve broken down the costs, so that you know what your money will go to!
Plane tickets: $904 round trip (I’ve already purchased these for both myself and Rachel! I’ve offered to spot her on half, so she needs $452)
AinBNB Rooms: $279 (One week in Tokyo, one week in Kyoto)
Food: $300-500 (We have a refrigerator in the rooms so we’ll be getting groceries to cut costs!)
Shinkansen ticket to Kyoto: Around $150-$200
Public transit expenses (taxi’s, trains and such): $100
Other Expenses: $300-$400 (Entry into parks and museums, +souvenirs. Also some margin in case clothes get lost or something unspeakable happens!)
GoFundMe Fees: 7.9% + .30 per transaction: About $200 (depending on how many people donate!)
----------------
Now here are the goals!
Ultimate goal: $2,600
The ultimate goal will cover all expenses! Rachel will be able to go without any trouble at all!
Median goal: $1,600
With this goal, Rachel will be able to still have fun, and still manage to have a little extra just in case!
Minimum goal: $1,400
With this goal, the basics are met!
Even if we don’t reach the ultimate goal, any support at all helps! I’ll definitely be helping her out while we’re over there, but I’m just one person, so if you can find it in your heart to donate a coffee or even a meal for a day for her, we would all be eternally grateful!
Rachel has also offered to do artwork for anyone who donates! She’s an awesome artist, and here is some of her work:
Organizer
Rachel Heissner
Organizer