Help Amelia Recover from Car Theft and Loss

Hi everyone,

My name is Amelia Murphy. I’m a full-time college student at Central Maine Community College, and I also teach karate at United Fitness in Winthrop, Maine, while working for the Pine Tree Learning School to help support myself through school.

Earlier this week, in the early hours of Wednesday morning around 4:15 AM, my car was stolen from the parking lot of the dorms at Central Maine Community College. Thankfully, it was abandoned about 30 minutes later — but in that short time, the person who took it completely trashed it.

When the car was found, it was filled with damage: my college art supplies were ruined, many of my personal belongings were stolen, and the interior was left in terrible condition. The thief left all the windows down, and after the car was returned, it sat in the rain for two hours — leaving everything inside soaked and destroyed.

The car also won’t start. It’s currently at Emerson Toyota in Auburn, where the technicians have spent over three hours trying to diagnose the problem. The total bill for diagnostics so far is $650, and repairs haven’t even started yet. My insurance deductible is $1,000, which is more than I can afford right now as a student working multiple jobs.

This whole situation started from a simple mistake — I had been driving home from karate class late at night when I was spooked by a deer. Shaken and dealing with a severe migraine, I accidentally left my keys in the car while I tried to calm down. That one moment led to all of this.

I’m raising funds to help cover:

    •    The insurance deductible ($1,000)

    •    The diagnostic and repair costs already owed to Toyota

    •    Replacement of my art supplies and school materials

    •    Cleaning and restoration for the car interior

Every dollar helps me get back on my feet and back to school, work, and teaching. I’m so grateful for any help — whether it’s a donation or just sharing this story.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for supporting me through such an awful situation.

– Amelia Murphy