A Message from the Fundraising & Planning Team

A HUGE THANK YOU

Donovan's entire family is overflowing with emotion to see the love, support, assistance and contributions to the GoFundMe page, without your help and outpouring of love this would not have been possible.  There are no words to express the tremendous appreciation and the love they feel for every single one of  you.  We would also like to extend a special thank you to the City Reach Church Family for their support and for hosting the funeral services.  

All members of the Fundraising & Planning Team (Treasa McGinnis, Zandya Acosta Risco and Ronda Wheeler) are longtime friends and prayer partners of Renee's (Donovan's Mother) we have worked hard  and in conjunction with the family every step of the way in planning Donovan's Memorial Services.   

Your donations have been able to help us organize and ultimately cover, all Funeral Home expenses, cost of cemetery plot, florist, headstone, memorial bench to place at Donovan's gravesite, photos and other materials, cost of media, chair rental, food, and all the GoFundMe fees.

If you have any questions please feel free to email us at [email redacted] 

Thank you again so very much for helping Renee and her family honor Donovan and bury him with love and dignity.

God opened doors and made a way where we didn't see a way.

Be Blessed



Dear Loved Ones,

I am writing to you today, to let you know about the tremendous loss of Renee Zapata's beloved 21 year old son.  Donovan James Alvarez was diagnosed with leukemia in November of 2018, and since that moment he fought a long and tireless battle.  Sadly, Donovan passed away on Friday, January 29th. 

We are absolutely devastated by Donovan’s passing.  No one can ever be prepared for the loss of a child and especially one so young.  Added to this overwhelming loss is the high cost of funeral related expenses, especially during this difficult time we are all living in.

On behalf of the family, I am reaching out to all of you who knew Donovan and to all of you who know the heart of this beautiful family.  We are asking family, friends, and our community for help.  Our immediate need in order to cover the cost of the funeral expenses and family related support is $20,000 and as you can imagine, this need is time sensitive as we are beginning all the necessary arrangements in order to lay Donovan to rest.

Please consider donating any amount that you are able to give, as any amount will truly help the family during this difficult time.  We are so very grateful for every donation.

Please help us further by sharing Donovan’s memorial fundraiser with others who knew him, and with those who didn’t but feel it in their spirit to help the family.


With love and great appreciation,
Treasa McGinnis, Zandya Acosta Risco and Ronda Wheeler on behalf of the Family


Psalm 91:2 
~ I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”