Hi Friends!

I'd love to raise just a little bit of money (nothing crazy!) for my best friend since college, who is having challenges with finances at the moment due to many life factors that have come her way to her and her family. Her and her husband have two young kids and are worried about their ability to provide for them this Christmas. I know her daughter wants roller skates and her son loves everything cars and such! I'm unable to contribute too much, due to catching up post-COVID and other work-related challenges, so I thought I'd try this for once. Perhaps this isn't even kosher to do! I'll take thoughts and advice if you have any feedback!

I know you don't know her or the family, which is the reason I wasn't quite sure if this would work or not! Please do not feel obligated by any means. I thought maybe if anyone that's able, could give anywhere from $1-$5, it would add up and help them provide a great Christmas for their kids!! I would also like to let her know either your name or at least how many people contributed by giving her access to the Gofundme page so she can post about how Christmas went! (not posting a family photo since this is a surprise and I don't know what she does/doesn't want floating around, same with her name). But, rest assured, it will go straight to her and the family and they’ll be able to see this page and its donations!*. Please if you do write anything, let her know where you’re from in the world as my friends and contacts span all over from my last 10-15 years!

I'd go to the moon and back for any of my friends. And because I'm not able to help as much as I'd like to right now, this is one way I can certainly try. I've spent time with her kids and they are delightful and fun to be around (and you know, I'm not a huge kid person).

I'm throwing up a Hail Mary for them, and we'll see where it goes! Everyone gets hit up all season for donations, money, etc. - so that's why I thought maybe a simple $1-5 would be a perfect small amount that adds up to a lot of joy. No obligation. No pressure. Seriously. Just know that if you are able to provide anything, it will go to a family that it will make a sincere impact for....

When I was little, I remember one time my mom had a child in her 4th grade class whose family needed help. My mom and dad bought them a turkey, some canned food and other Xmas food staples, and a bag full of toys and we drove down to their house. My dad took the big bag of stuff to the house and told them 'some man in a big red suit asked me to give this to you'. My mom, my sister, and I hid in the car, not to be seen, but we could see them accepting the bag and looking into it with disbelief. I will never forget how that felt, to see my parents helping someone that was right there, accepting it and being so grateful. Usually, when I give to a charity or a bucket, I never know where my money is going. It has stuck with me all these years to see how I can still reach people in my very own community instead of just the major 'brand names' of Xmas giving. Sometimes the people we love most just need a little leg up.

Anyways... Thank you all for reading this note and I hope you're doing well! Have a great holiday season my friends!!

XOXO, Sarah G