Community Help for Chase and Billie

Hello everyone, Chase here. Some of you may know me as a friend from Colusa County, some as Bobbie's son, some as a bartender at Peach Tree Golf Course, Granzella's or Cairo's, or some as a Microbiologist at Bayer Crop science; yet some may not know me at all but are somehow connected through these communities. And it is these communities I am now asking for a little help.

On August 1st my mother, Bobbie Keaton, died in a helicopter accident along with her boyfriend and Bill and Susie Vann. Many others lost these amazing people that day. It has been difficult but our family is getting through it and figuring things out, and we truly appreciate the love and support we have received.

I was very reluctant about starting a GoFundMe when approached by colleagues over a week ago. I politely declined and said we would be ok. With so much loss going on, houses burning down, loss over seas, everyday tragedy, it seemed almost selfish to ask for help. If you know my mom she could be very strong willed and never wanted to ask for help, but always wanted to give it. With further urging from friends and coworkers, I decided it was not my place to deny help if given freely.

Over the last 8+ months my mother has been helping me tremendously with my daughter Billie after her mother and I separated. Not only was she my main babysitter when needed, she was also supporting me emotionally and financially as I continue to fight for 50/50 custody of my daughter both with lawyer fees as well as reduced rent in the home she owned in Williams. Now with her sudden loss I find myself without my main support system, and struggling to keep up with taking on her full mortgage and other bills that she had been helping with, all in addition to those cost incurred by a sudden death.

Part of me feels extremely selfish for reaching out for help, considering the level of tragedy and hardship everyone goes through daily. But when it comes to making sure that my daughter and I are ok, there is nothing I would not do. And I am currently doing everything I can working my main job and part time job around my custody schedule to make sure we are ok, but it is still difficult and uncertain.

Your help will go in-part to paying off any remaining portion of debts incurred by the loss of my mother, as well as helping financially secure her mortgage/my rent until the family can figure out what to do, as well as continuing to help fight for 50/50 custody of Billie as my mom would continue doing, which may include possible relocation to Yuba City to be closer to her. Any funds raised that go above and beyond what is needed in the short term will be donated to a charitable cause or paid forward to other GoFundMes of those in need right now.

As difficult as it is to ask for help, thank you from the bottom of my heart. With your help I promise to continue to be the best dad I can be, continue my mother's spirit of generosity and to get to a place where I can return the favor when your or your families time of need comes. Thank you so much. You are all my mom and Billie's Grandma now.

Chase Keaton