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Car Fund

During the final semester with my MFA program, a deer leapt out of nowhere, trying to jump over my car after I'd done my best to avoid it. The deer was killed, my passenger and I were okay. However, the car suffered extensive damages to the front including the grill, headlight assembly, radiator, panel and hood. The quotes I've been looking at to fix the car are at around $3,000. I have some money, raised by fellow students, but even to buy a new used car would be more than I have currently. Some of my fellow students told me to set up this page so that they could help, since they couldn't help right then - so here I am. 

The money would go toward potentially fixing my existing vehicle (depending on how much I'm given) or toward buying a used car that will be looked at thoroughly, prior to buying.

This car is my transportation to work, since I commute, and my connection to family and friends. I have rewards for high-end donations, which will be the best quality I can produce. I will work with you on getting the details just right.

Thank you for your time and consideration. No amount is too small.

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: "Won't insurance cover this?"
A: No. Unfortunately, I didn't have "collision" insurance. At the time, I couldn't "afford" it - which is somewhat ironic. I'd never been in an accident and am a safe driver. I didn't realize what aspects of "not at fault" insurance actually covers. I will be more careful in the future.

Q: "Why would it cost $3,000? Doesn't look that bad to me."
A: The $3,000 was a quote I received from a mechanic, referred to me by my usual garage since they don't do body work. It was just a guesstimate. He said it could be more, could be less. I will update the actual amount when I get an itemized list. So far, he basically said that there were a lot of labor-intensive parts to consider. I've had people tell me to just get junkyard parts, but most garages where I am won't put on third-party parts due to liability reasons (the car sticker process in Maine is strict). If anyone knows of a better garage to take it to, I'm all ears - but it costs me $60 to tow it since I used up all my AAA tows.

Q: "Why are you asking for help? Don't you work?"
A: Yes, I have a full-time job and I literally just graduated from my MFA program. Unfortunately, the way things worked out - it was all just bad timing. I had a flat a couple months back and had to buy a couple new tires. Got all new belts, fixed the exhaust. THEN, my water pump went so before my two week residency which just ended, I spent $500 on a new pump and another small repair while they were already inside the car (had them replace a gasket). My school doesn't give people financial aid in their final semesters and I had to spend over $1,000 just to graduate (which is fine because I saved some of my student loan money) - but on top of all that, I had the misfortune of being accidentally taken out of the system at work when another guy quit. They took me out instead of him, so all my vacation time was messed up and I actually wasn't being paid the entire time I was at my graduation semester. So now I have basically no money for a few weeks and no way to get to work that is reliable.

Q: "Didn't your school already raise money for you?"
A: Yes, and I couldn't be more thankful to the people there for it. This page was for people who couldn't help but said they wanted to (I was approached multiple times while at my residency). As it stands, I do not expect any help whatsoever. Whatever anyone donates is very much unexpected and appreciated and I am thankful beyond words. I feel weird about soliciting help (I've never been very good at it) but it would be an insult to those wishing to help if I didn't give them an option. 

Q: "This site asks for too much information. Can I just send you a check or something?"
A: Sure. Just e-mail me through here or send me a message on Facebook and I'll send you my mailing address.

Q: "Why did you set the amount to $1,500?"
A: I'm not greedy and I don't need anything fancy. I really just need enough to fix what I can of the car or to put a down payment on another vehicle, or even to buy a cheap car outright. $1,500 gives me wiggle room. 

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Donations 

  • Kelli Thompson
    • $50 
    • 10 yrs
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Organizer

Joseph Carro
Organizer
Portland, ME

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