Funeral & unpaid student loans

On January 17th, my good friend & co-worker, Sandra got the phone call that every mother prays she never receives.  Her only Son, Jordan had passed away. It's every parents absolute worst nightmare - and as a mother myself, I can't imagine the pain she is going through.  The pain of losing Jordan is at times too much to bare for her, and yet she has also been faced with the unexpected cost of thousands of dollars of his student loans that she co-signed for several years ago. Jordan had Stafford loans through the government that have been forgiven when she provided his death certificate, however $16,000 in private student loans that allowed him to finish his degree will not be forgiven by the loan company. In addition to the student loans, Jordan's funeral costs have left her with mounting credit card debt, and has drained her savings account. This has left her with no money to help her daughter with tuition and room & board as she leaves for her freshman year at the University of Washington this fall. It has also been all-consuming and this has all not allowed her to be the best mom to her daughter that she could be.

I am usually the one giving and now I'm asking for help! I have never done anything like this before, but I feel an overwhelming desire to help my friend.  I'd love to take some of this burden off of her. If it allows her even a little bit of relief, it would mean the world to me...and her. 

Even if it's only $5, I appreciate the consideration of making life just a little easier for her.  Thank you SO much!

xo,Shelley