Help family of 4 after car accident

We are so thankful that we even feel confident to be vulnerable and reach out to our community, it says so much about the caliber of people that have come around us and journeyed with us and encouraged us over the past few years. We are grateful for you!
The aim of this campaign is simple. We are in need of funds to possibly fix or acquire a vehicle. Our families SUV was hit this past weekend and we cannot afford the process of fixing it or a new one so we are asking for help to raise funds, primarily, to help us get a reliable car.

How we arrived at this place of need is not as simple. To catch you up on some life events, we relocated about a year and a half ago and during that season we had 2 months of unemployment but we were thankful to have our savings to support us. Joel has been working hard and at times even working night shifts or two part-time jobs. This past winter the kids were hit with heavy colds that lasted for months and the expenses to care for them during those months cashed out the little savings we were regaining. This spring has been hopeful but Rebecca has been battling severe sinus issues for the past 5 weeks and paying for care began the same week Joel was let go from his full-time job.

3 weeks after losing his job, Joel was able to start a new entry-level position in a new field. This puts our family at a 6-week gap between full paychecks. While we are grateful for this new position it does cut our income by 1/3 and is not the final answer. Joel is still very actively job searching while also working hard with Rebecca, who works to be a great mom, at building their photography business over at Remy Lou Photography . We have full faith that the Lord will provide our daily bread and exceed our expectations in meeting our needs, daily, weekly and monthly.

On Thursday 6/8 Joel was going to take the kids to visit their grandparents. While traveling from our home with the kids our SUV was struck by an oncoming vehicle making a speedy and illegal left hand turn across traffic. Pushing our SUV over a lane and up onto a curb stopping a few inches from a light-pole. The driver that hit Joel and the kids tried to immediately flee but didn’t make it very far, He returned to the scene and was cuffed and jailed that night. The kids walked away scared but healthy and Joel a little banged up.

When do accidents ever happen at convenient times, right?

We have the typical 1 safe family vehicle for Rebecca and the Kids and then Joel’s daily driver. It is about 20 years old and not safe or reliable and has no AC or heat. Joel’s car has been parked for about 2 weeks needing brakes, shocks and most likely an alternator. We have been waiting to fix these things as soon as a steady paycheck starts coming in again. Cue the accident involving our 1 safe vehicle with no margin for extra costs.

The driver that hit us was uninsured and that coupled with us facing our big paycheck gap puts us with a lot of out of pocket expenses due all at once and no cash flow to do it with. Thankfully we are currently able to work out our schedule by our kind mothers letting us use their vehicles when needed. Although many would like to help more and we know they love us, they are unable to financially which brings us here! To you all - our friends, family, tribe, community and beyond. We know this season is not forever but alas, it has caught up to us in a way that is insurmountable without help.

We are currently having the SUV towed to our parent's house, with the goal of assessing the damage and seeing what Joel can fix himself with help from family. We will keep the need list updated on here as we look at the damage and look at bodywork, keeping in mind the value of the SUV.

Some of the initial cost we are rushing to meet are the things listed above to get Joel's car running as well as the Tow and Impoundment fees for the SUV, (We are trying our best to think outside the box and Joel just sold his guitar this weekend to meet some of these fees) X-ray fees for Joel, Chiropractic care for his injuries is currently spanning over 3 months seeing them 3 times a week with possible nerve damage and a broken rib. Chiropractic appointments and check-ups for the kids who both are uncomfortable with neck pain. These things are being processed without insurance due to just starting a new job and the waiting period to apply for coverage.

Coming up we are going to be doing a yard sale and bake sale day and will keep you posted on the date.

As a Thank You to those who give $150 or more, and are in our general vicinity, you are more than welcome to email us at [email redacted] and schedule a free portrait, family, baby, maternity, or engagement photo shoot with us. It'd be our pleasure. (You can see our work at www.remylou.com and www.remylou-artist.com )

We are so grateful that you've visited us here and took the time to read this, watch our video, and give towards our need.  Feel free to ask any questions you may have. 

From the bottom of our hearts,
Thank you.
Joel, Rebecca and our two littles.