Emergency! Family without Heat

This little guy pictured with me above is Trey. 

I love Trey.

Trey is three-years-old, very bright, kind-spirited and fun-loving.

Trey lives in Midtown Detroit with his mother and father, in a beautiful, historic home which has been passed down to his family through generations.

For the past several days Trey and his parents have been without heat, due to their boiler unexpectedly dying the day before Thanksgiving.

With space heaters, open ovens, and other creative ways to warm up the house, Trey has managed to stay warm.

However, these modifications (and the purchase of a new boiler), are putting Trey and his family in a tough financial space.

Can you help me get Trey (and his family) a new boiler this winter?

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The end of the year is the most joyous time for many of us, as we get to spend time with family, revel in the spirit of holidays, and share our blessings throughout the year with our loved ones. The holidays are also a time that brings on both planned and unexpected financial burdens. In the spirit of giving, I ask that you consider helping a family dear to me as they are experiencing one of those unexpected moments now.

A good friend of mine and her young family, comprised of her (a non-profit professional), her husband (a teacher) and a sweet toddler boy, Trey, became surprised on the eve of Thanksgiving when their boiler began to leak. What seemed like a small problem quickly turned into a small rolling fire that ultimately led to the boiler dying completely.

Currently, my friend and her family have been living without heat in their home, as the frigid Detroit winter swings into full gear. My friend also lost her mother on June 25th of this year and is experiencing the holidays for the first time without a mother. I’m sure you can imagine the stress she is feeling right now, while also giving herself to mourn and cope through an already tough time and also to make the holidays the best for Trey.

After some research, they found that a new boiler and specifically one fit for their home built in the 1910s is pretty costly for the average family. To be exact, the cost is $7,600 (they were able to negotiate the supplier down from the original quote of $8,200). Unfortunately, financing is not available and they are required to cover the expense in cash. As you can imagine with a surprise expense like this, and as we are mid-holiday season, this puts them in a tough financial predicament and strapped for cash.

This family (and their mother, who is no longer with us) has helped my sister and I in invaluable ways throughout the years and took us in as a family. As a grad student with my own financial burdens, I am not able to give but something I can do is ask for my support systems, and the support systems of others, to consider spreading a little holiday cheer in the form of helping to (literally) warm the home and hearts of this very deserving family. Please give what you can, and if you can not, please consider sharing with some people who may be able to give.