Help the Macke Children, Cheryl and Phillip

My name is Ashley Klein. As a parishioner and teacher at St. Richard for over a decade, I watched Cheryl and Phillip Macke grow up. My oldest two children have been friends with Cheryl since elementary school when they sang in the choir together. I cared for Phillip in the nursery during Vacation Bible School and taught him in first grade. Phillip and my youngest children have been classmates since Pre-K 3. He and my son Atticus will walk across the stage at St. Joe when they graduate together later this school year. They’ve been a part of our lives from class parties to play practices to parish dinners. The first word that comes to mind when I think of Cheryl and Phillip is good. They are quick to jump to the aid of anyone in need and are always excited to see their friends, neighbors, and loved ones.

They are truly incredible kids who have been dealt an unfairly tough hand. Sadly, their loving mother, Regina, passed away after an extended illness in June 2013–the summer before Phillip began first grade and Cheryl started eighth grade. Now, they are grieving the tragic and unexpected loss of their father, Mike. Phillip and Cheryl will need many things in the coming days, weeks, months, and years. They are both exceptional young people just starting in life. At present, Phillip plans to serve our country in the National Guard, and he aspires to attend college to study engineering. Cheryl's plans are uncertain given the present circumstances. They are smart and creative with the capacity to make the world around them brighter. More importantly, they are very good to each other. The last time I ran into Cheryl, she proudly shared that Phillip was a straight-A student in honors classes. And Phillip adores Cheryl. They want everyone to know that their dad was fun and silly and loved them and their mother bigger than the world.

Specifically, Cheryl and Phillip will need help with their father’s final expenses. Additionally, we want to ensure Phillip can finish his senior year strong and help Cheryl pursue her dreams. In short, the goal is to minimize barriers to their success and offer some financial security and the peace of mind that it brings. Please help support these two wonderful young people; they deserve to feel safe and taken care of. They are one hundred percent potential. So much has already been taken from them; please help give them a chance.