Hello,

 

I'm writing this as a close friend of Donna's, who loves her and her family.

 

Her kind heart and brave and strong and joyous personality have made me her greatful friend for decades.

 

I'm hoping we can all aid her and her sweet son Tayten in their rest and healing, and send them support donations needed in this time of mourning their family's loss.

 

You may know Donna from seeing her at work with indigenous youth at Falkland school. The kids there adore her and make her cards and gifts in appreciation of her kindness.

 

Or you might recognize her from her many years in the area building friendships and participating with her family in community and spreading joy and jokes whenever they go.

 

Perhaps it's from her delicious homemade bannock she delivers to her fans in her home of Falkland and many surrounding communities. Maybe you see her serving up big smiles and loud contagious laughs at her farmers market table.

 

You could know her from volunteering in teaching bannock making in Splatsin community centre in Enderby, an area where she spent many years living as a kid with her loving Grandparents. And then years rasing her kids there as well, playing in the river and soaking up life.

 

In her free time and as a source of joy and healing tools Donna loves painting ceramics, beading, reading and visiting the library, being with friends, walks in her community of Falkland and helping others.

 

Donna and Tayten have had many challenging times and many great losses of loved ones in the past years. Last year Taytens dad passed away suddenly.

 

It's with the heaviest of hearts that earlier this week Donna's oldest son Draeyden passed away tragically and heartbreakingly at 15 years old.

 

Donna was the most powerful advocate for Draeyden and was working with all her being in helping him in his healing journey and working with his addiction disease. It's unfair and so shattering that dangerous drug substances took Draeyden from her.

 

I'd love and appreciate your help in sending donations here to assist Donna to pay for life expenses needed like food and rent and gas and bills, while she is taking time away from work to grieve her son's death. As well as for her healing tools like painting and arts.

 

Tayten is a kind hearted gentle soul who adored his brother. He's drawn to working and connecting with animals and finds peace in caring for them.

 

He's a wonderful artist in drawing and animations and art and has a great zest for reading, just like his mom.

 

It'd be great to donate to help purchase art supplies and experiences to help Tayten with processing these feelings of sorrow and do the things that are fun for him and are needed for his healing from these events.

 

I'd like help please to raise enough money for Donna and Tayten to be able to do some of their favorite destressing activities of soaking in a hot tub and spending time in a cabin in the wilderness enjoying sitting around a camp fire. Nature walks and talks and taking in the sunshine.

 

Draeyden will be remembered as the bright light of life he was. Loved fiercely by his mom and friends and family.

 

He was a proud big brother who loved playing with his little bro Tayten.

 

He loved music and singing and dancing and playing football.

 

He could be found doing all sorts of daring and exciting tricks and flips, into the water, on bikes, skateboards and the trampoline.

 

Draeyden loved nature adventures with his family and the many people who love him.

 

His smile is so fun and beautiful. And he was a great artist in drawing and made a gorgeous drum for his brother.

 

He brought so much happiness to his family and the space he occupies in hearts is enormous.

 

Thank you for your help in donations and caring. His family are so appreciative of your support at this time that will help them in this journey.

 

I'm sending condolences to everyone affected. We know the web of love of this family spreads far and wide.

 

I'm grateful for you help in meeting their needs. Thank you so much. All amounts help.