Charleigh Needs a Boost!

Hello Friends,

Candace Lopez & I are reaching out on behalf of our dear friend, Charleigh Lona. I was working with Charleigh recently on a show, back in May / June, when she had to leave suddenly, as her Father became very ill. Charleigh drove back home to Kansas City & made it in time to say goodbye to her Father. Sadly, Charles Olvera Lona, passed away on June 26th. (link below to a beautiful article written in the Kansas City Star)

Charleigh, who is named after her Father, was very close with him as she is with her whole family. Working with & knowing Charleigh for over 5 years, I know how close she is with her family & have watched as she is the one they all reach out to. To use Teamster terms, she seems to be the Captain & Dispatcher, for all things Family Lona.

Charleigh lost some work time on that project and has been out of work from the film industry since the third week of July. My, "we need to help Charleigh" antenna went up on 8/15 when she reached out via text to Candace and me with the following;

"Hey everyone, I wanted to share my updated resume with both of you. I'm open to travel and willing to start as a clerk right away. I just need some work. Feel free to circulate this!

In that same breath, I got an email from 161 saying I'm not going to be in good standing after the 16th of this month because I got behind on my dues. No excuse, just everything hit me at once, especially dealing with funeral cost for my pops. ☝️but I've been hustling all week doordashing and picking up house cleaning shifts. *ain't no shame in my game*! I've been able to come up with an extra 600 bucks. So, I'm almost to the point where I'm caught up. I know times are hard for everyone. And I would rather ask for an opportunity than for money, but I'm in a tough place, and as awkward as this is for me, I decided to ask a few of my friends for help. Would either of you be able to contribute? I need 841.22 in total, but I only need 241.22 more!" (invoice link below)

I feel like there are times when life throws us curve balls & we generally handle those on our own...& then there are the times when we run into a fairly tall fence, too tall to scale alone & so we need a boost from a friend!

Candace & I got Charleigh caught up on her union dues but after talking with Candace, we both realized that this was one bill, of what we were sure to be others, we knew Charleigh could use some help, we knew she needed a boost!

Charleigh was reluctant to ask for more help when I suggested GoFundMe, responding as follows;

"Actually, it is weird for me to ask for help but after talking it over with a friend just now, I think swallowing a little pride will help me continue in the long run...Yes, I would totally be open to that."

Charleigh did not want to ask for a lot & Candace & I asked her about what a month's bills were, so we went with that. We've all been there & I think that real strength, is sometimes letting people help you...then, later down the road, we can return in kind!

I always say, "To know Charleigh is to Love Charleigh!", please help us give her a boost over one of life's fences!

Thank you & God Bless~

Lc. 161 Dues Invoice

Kansas City Star Article

* All funds will be transferred to Charleigh’s bank account.