Secret Guitar Fund for Lauren!

Update #2- As of the morning of Monday, May 7th, we've reached our second goal of $1,800!! I have also connected with the individual Lauren had planned on getting the guitar from and he will be working with me to get an invoice sometime this week. Once we have a final total for the guitar, anything leftover will be donated in Lauren's name to To Write Love On Her Arms! We are still accepting donations on this page!

Update #1: As of the morning of Sunday, May 6th, we officially surpassed our original $1,500 goal!! In only 2.5 days! We have now raised our goal to $1,800 to try and help cover if there are any shipping costs and possibly adding a "pickup" to the guitar which is some sort of transducer that helps in amplifying sound. Also, any leftover funds will be donated to To Write Love On Her Arms in Lauren's name (as outline in the original post below). Of course, we would love to surpass even the new $1,800 goal and will keep this GoFundMe page open until we buy the guitar! Thank you for all the support- Kyle

Original post: I've been friends with Lauren now for several years and she never ceases to amaze and inspire me. Recently, Lauren published an article she wrote for an organization called To Write Love On Her Arms where she talked about some of her struggles over the course of the last year (article here). Through her own strength as well as the support of those who love her, she chose to "stay."

Whether its music, writing, drawing, makeup, etc., those who know Lauren know just how important creative outlets are to her in helping to center herself. Just today, Lauren was featured in an interview with Made in DSM. In the interview, she is asked "what is one new thing that has caught your eye." She responds "A new guitar. For real. I would love a new acoustic. That’s probably not what you’re asking, but it’s all I can think about."

And this is where GoFundMe comes in. But this is a secret!!! I want to get her that guitar...but I need your help! In talking with her husband, the guitar Lauren wants is about $1,500 (although through a contact we may be able to get a discount). In Lauren's TWLOHA article, she talked about the importance of her support group and I want to show her once again how much we care for her and what she's passionate about...her music.

I am seeking to raise $1,500 to go towards the purchase of the guitar Lauren is dreaming about. If we end up getting a discounted rate or we go over the $1,500, any and all remaining funds will be donated in Lauren's name to To Write Love On Her Arms, an organization that means so much to Lauren. "To Write Love on Her Arms is a nonprofit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide. TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire, and invest directly into treatment and recovery."

I would appreciate you taking the time to donate anything you can to help us show Lauren our love! And if you know anyone else who knows Lauren if you can send this on to them. But since it is a secret, please don't share publicly!