Fundraiser for John, Amber & Makenna Lee Burton

Hello everyone, I'm Samantha Phillips and my husband Chris and I are so honored to be able to start this GoFundMe for John, Amber who we have been friends with, known and loved since middle school. We hosted a breakfast for a big group of friends back in January and that's actually when we got to be one of the first to find out that John & Amber were expecting their first baby, a sweet baby girl who they've named Makenna Lee. She came into this world at just 27 weeks on May 6th 2023 weighing 2lbs 2oz and was 13 inches long. Per John & Amber, doctors are currenly unaware of why she came so early but she was just ready to take on the world and made her debut. The entrance is completed and now John & Amber are onto the hard part. Makenna is currently in the NICU but progress is going well so far. She is just barely a week old as of me typing this but she's a Burton so she's fighting, growing and showing such strength.

With the unexpected sudden entrance of a new baby coming into the world early, I think we all know A LOT comes with that. We all as adults and families have mortgages, bills, gas to put in our cars, etc. Adding a new baby on top of that is really hard but especially a baby that is now going to be in the NICU for an unknown amount of time puts a lot of stressors on brand new parents. Right now, Makenna is all that matters and I am hoping we can all support John & Amber financially right now so all they have to think about and worry about is their new sweet baby girl. Donations go to a variety of things! They are very grateful that they are able to stay with family that is only 20 minutes away from the hospital but expenses are going to start to add up from hospital bills, gas back and forth, not attending work/taking a leave of possible unpaid absence, food, everyday bills, etc. John & Amber have a beautiful home in Bremerton and a communte back and forth to Tacoma is going to become costly. Even just the car ride from their family in Tacoma to the hospital will start to add up. Everything and anything helps. Money should never be a stressor when it comes to your health, your family, spouses and especially your children.

Updates will be provided as I recieve them from family but they also may ask of their own privacy at this time while they navigate this new chapter of their lives with their brand new daughter.

If you are able to donate, its greatly appreciated! If you are unable to, please feel free to leave any kind words, thoughts, prayers and messages of love for John, Amber and Makenna. If you feel as if you can donate in a different way, please leave that in a comment and it will be forwarded onto The Burtons.

Thank you everyone,

The Phillips'

_____________________________________

A Note & Information from Mom & Dad (John & Amber Burton)

We want to take a moment and thank you for reading our story. This past week has been a whirl wind of chaos. Highs and lows with the gift of life. With the unknown of what’s next or how long Makenna will need the doctors and be in the NICU. Anything helps us as we will have extra hospital bills. Tacoma General NICU department has been amazing treating our precious little girl.

We want to thank our Families and Friends that have stepped up in more ways than one already; either being an ear to listen, bringing us food in the hospital, or opening their home to us for us to stay as close to Makenna as possible, has been comforting and provides some relief.

Again, we thank you for your time and any help you provide monetary or otherwise we greatly appreciate it.

John, Amber & Makenna Burton