On December 3, 2016 my father Richard Fitzpatrick passed away extremely unexpectedly from a massive heart attack at the young age of 67. He left behind his four children and his current wife, my mother, Lori.
My mom is an incredibly strong and hardworking woman. She has owned her optometry practice for the past 27 years in Manhattan Beach, California and currently supports herself, myself, my younger sister, and my grandmother who lives at home with us. In addition to this, she is paying for my full-time college tuition and without hesitation extends herself to those who need her. Lori is a community leader as well, co-leading my younger sister’s girl scout troop and taking on the role as girls Chairwoman for 7th grade Cotillion at PVIS.
Lori returned to work only two days after my father’s death. When not working at her office, she spends her time managing finances, doing paperwork, organizing events, and taking care of Carly and my grandmother who has dementia. Since December, she has continued to go to work every week, setting an example for everyone in my family of what strength and resilience truly mean.
The SURPRISE gift
I would like to surprise my mother for Mother’s Day with a two-week tour of Italy via the Costsaver Trafalgar tours. We had attempted to plan a Europe trip this past summer, but it did not come to fruition.
She is not in the position to gift herself a vacation like this now as the sole provider and head of our household, and she would not ever choose to do something like this for herself because it is in her nature to care for others.
I would love for this to be a SURPRISE- so please DO NOT mention this to her in any way. She does not have any form of social media, so feel free to post and share away, but do not email, text, or call her.
Can You Help?
I am writing to you to ask you for any sort of donation at all, whether that donation be monetary or through your time and support. Any amount of money is genuinely appreciated, but a suggested donation is anywhere between $5 or $20. Anything more or less is also extremely appreciated. My goal is to raise $3,000 to pay for her trip and an airplane ticket. Any money raised above that goal will go directly to help support my mom. Although I will be giving her the gift on Mother’s Day, donations will be graciously accepted until June 15.
My mom is an incredibly strong and hardworking woman. She has owned her optometry practice for the past 27 years in Manhattan Beach, California and currently supports herself, myself, my younger sister, and my grandmother who lives at home with us. In addition to this, she is paying for my full-time college tuition and without hesitation extends herself to those who need her. Lori is a community leader as well, co-leading my younger sister’s girl scout troop and taking on the role as girls Chairwoman for 7th grade Cotillion at PVIS.
Lori returned to work only two days after my father’s death. When not working at her office, she spends her time managing finances, doing paperwork, organizing events, and taking care of Carly and my grandmother who has dementia. Since December, she has continued to go to work every week, setting an example for everyone in my family of what strength and resilience truly mean.
The SURPRISE gift
I would like to surprise my mother for Mother’s Day with a two-week tour of Italy via the Costsaver Trafalgar tours. We had attempted to plan a Europe trip this past summer, but it did not come to fruition.
She is not in the position to gift herself a vacation like this now as the sole provider and head of our household, and she would not ever choose to do something like this for herself because it is in her nature to care for others.
I would love for this to be a SURPRISE- so please DO NOT mention this to her in any way. She does not have any form of social media, so feel free to post and share away, but do not email, text, or call her.
Can You Help?
I am writing to you to ask you for any sort of donation at all, whether that donation be monetary or through your time and support. Any amount of money is genuinely appreciated, but a suggested donation is anywhere between $5 or $20. Anything more or less is also extremely appreciated. My goal is to raise $3,000 to pay for her trip and an airplane ticket. Any money raised above that goal will go directly to help support my mom. Although I will be giving her the gift on Mother’s Day, donations will be graciously accepted until June 15.