For the Love of Jerry Coffee

Aloha kākou,

We are reaching out to the community on behalf of our beloved Jerry Coffee - father, husband, son, brother, friend, comedian, therapist, proud Portagee, and brightener of many lives on O‘ahu and beyond. Jerry has never held back his gifts, making it his life’s work to lift others in need of assistance, recovery, a sympathetic ear, or just a good laugh.

Now, Jerry needs our help.

As of this writing, Jerry is six weeks into an arduous recovery from a life-threatening hemorrhagic stroke that damaged his brain and body extensively. After four weeks of intensive care and hospitalization, Jerry began slowly to heal, to move, to speak. Now in inpatient rehabilitation, he’s started showing more signs of his old self, cracking jokes, reminiscing, and philosophizing. In true Jerry form, he’s been much more concerned about how everyone else is doing than he is about himself.

All signs point to a strong recovery, but the truth is: healing from a stroke like this takes an enormous amount of time, care, and resources — far more than any family can prepare for. As small business owners, Jerry and Allana have seen their livelihood deeply impacted, while also facing hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical costs beyond what insurance will cover. Their extended family, including their twins Franc and Jules, have put work and studies on hold to support Jerry’s recovery full-time.

Jerry and Allana are the kind of people who always show up for others. As therapists, social workers, fundraisers, and coaches, they’ve spent their lives helping families and individuals across Hawai‘i through organizations like Family Peace Center (where they met), Kamehameha Schools, Care Hawaii, Kaiser Permanente, and the Institute for Human Services. They are not ones to ask for help — which is why we’re asking for them. We know this community will want to show up for them now, just as they’ve done for so many.

What Jerry and Allana need now is the space to focus entirely on healing — not on mounting bills or financial stress.

Your donation will go directly toward:

• Hospital and medical bills not covered by insurance

• Rehabilitation therapy expenses, both at facilities and at home

• Home modifications for safety and accessibility

• Medical and rehabilitation supplies and equipment

• Living expenses while Jerry and Allana are unable to work

Every contribution — no matter the size — makes a real and lasting impact. If you’re unable to give financially, please consider sharing this campaign with others who may want to support Jerry and Allana on this journey.

We are so grateful to the care teams at Queen’s Intensive Care, Kaiser Moanalua, Pālolo Chinese Home, and Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific, to the friends and family that have been ever present and vigilant at his side, and equally to the many friends and colleagues who have included Jerry, Allana, Franc, and Jules in your thoughts and prayers. We cannot overstate the incredible healing and recovery that your love and care has supported, and we invite you and the rest of the community to mālama the Coffees and broaden the circle of love and support for this wonderful family.

Mahalo Nui Loa,

Jerry’s Friends and Family

(“Jerry’s Angels”)