Our family is going through something we never imagined we would face, and it has left us in a place where we truly need help.

Right before the COVID pandemic, my husband opened a small business. It started with hope, long hours, and the dream of building something stable for our family. In the beginning, the business was doing well. Then the pandemic hit, and like many small businesses, everything changed overnight.

We spent the COVID years doing everything we could just to stay afloat. Bills piled up, work opportunities disappeared, and we used every resource we had trying to keep both our household and the business alive. I hadn’t worked outside the home in years, so I stepped in to help my husband with the business in any way I could.

I even volunteered to help on construction work to lighten the load and support him however I could. Unfortunately, during that time I suffered a serious neck and shoulder injury. Since then I have been dealing with constant pain that shoots from my neck down through my shoulder and arm. Even simple tasks have become extremely difficult. I tried taking small jobs like frying fries, but I could not even lift the fryer basket without intense pain. Until doctors determine exactly what is wrong and how it can be treated, I am currently unable to work.

When the CEBA loan program became available during the pandemic, we took it with the intention of catching up on overdue expenses and investing back into the business so it could survive. We believed we were making the responsible choice to keep things going and protect our livelihood.

Unfortunately, things did not go the way we hoped.

Recently, our bank accounts were frozen due to an ongoing financial review connected to government pandemic support programs. At this moment, approximately $85,000 is being held, and our accounts remain locked while the situation is being resolved.

My husband continues to work every day trying to correct the situation, but all income being deposited into the account is currently inaccessible while the hold remains in place.

This has left our family in an extremely difficult position.

We have two children, a home, and animals that depend on us. With our accounts frozen, we cannot access our own money for basic necessities like groceries, pet food, and everyday expenses while this situation is being sorted out.

The funds raised will help our family cover immediate necessities for our children, food for our household, and care for our animals. They will also help us work toward resolving the financial hold so that we can stabilize our situation and regain access to our financial footing.

Asking for help is not something we have ever done before. We have always worked hard and tried to handle our problems ourselves. But right now we are in a position where we simply cannot do it alone.

Any support, no matter the size, will help our family get through this incredibly difficult time.

Even sharing this page would mean the world to us.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for any kindness you are able to give.