Help Denise and Cesar Get Back on Their Feet
Donation protected
Help Denise and her son Cesar rebuild their life after a veterinary emergency and escaping an abusive marriage
Cesar and his pug Buster were inseparable. As a young boy with autism and cerebral palsy, Cesar relied on Buster for support—his dog helped him feel calm and safe when the world was overwhelming.
Unfortunately, Buster suffered a medical emergency in the summer of 2020. Cesar's mother, Denise, did everything she could to save him, but Buster did not survive. Cesar was left without his best friend and the family was plunged more than $6000 into debt.
Every month, Denise owes nearly $400 for the Scratchpay loan she took out to try to save Buster. This month, February, that amount is out of reach. If Denise cannot raise the money in the next several days, the 30% interest rate will kick in and her credit score will suffer.
But it is not the end of this family's need.
The stress of losing Buster took a toll on Denise's marriage and her husband became physically abusive, eventually being arrested on charges of domestic battery.
While Denise and Cesar were staying in a shelter, her husband cleaned out their shared bank accounts, leaving Denise and Cesar traumatized and without any resources.
The pair moved from South Carolina to Florida, where Denise cares for Cesar and her mother with dementia in her mother's one-bedroom apartment. As a full-time caregiver for two family members with significant medical needs, Denise is not able to work a paying job and is struggling to make ends meet.
Your support would mean that Denise and Cesar could start a new life, away from physical abuse and out from under the burden of veterinary debt. They would be able to move into a properly-sized home and help get Cesar the therapies he needs to thrive.
It would, quite literally, be life-changing.
Any donations will go first toward resolving Buster's outstanding vet bills, and then toward helping with Cesar's care and therapy.
Thank you so much for considering this during a time when so many are struggling. Your generosity means the world to this family, and they thank anyone who can share, donate, or keep them in their thoughts.
____________
Documentation and additional details:
Child support —
Denise's former husband is not providing child support and her lawyer has advised her that it will be difficult to force him to do so while living in a different state, meaning that she might have to return to the same location as her abuser to receive any financial assistance from him.
Aid organizations —
Because of the pandemic, organizations that might normally be able to help with Cesar's care and therapy are overwhelmed and have not been able to provide any relief despite the hundreds of applications that Denise has filled out. He is unable to attend school because local public schools are not equipped for his different needs.
Credit score —
If Denise misses payments on her Scratchpay loan, her credit score will suffer and she will be unable to apply for an FHA loan that would allow her and Cesar to find permanent, safe housing.
More documentation available if requested.
Cesar and his pug Buster were inseparable. As a young boy with autism and cerebral palsy, Cesar relied on Buster for support—his dog helped him feel calm and safe when the world was overwhelming.
Unfortunately, Buster suffered a medical emergency in the summer of 2020. Cesar's mother, Denise, did everything she could to save him, but Buster did not survive. Cesar was left without his best friend and the family was plunged more than $6000 into debt.
Every month, Denise owes nearly $400 for the Scratchpay loan she took out to try to save Buster. This month, February, that amount is out of reach. If Denise cannot raise the money in the next several days, the 30% interest rate will kick in and her credit score will suffer.
But it is not the end of this family's need.
The stress of losing Buster took a toll on Denise's marriage and her husband became physically abusive, eventually being arrested on charges of domestic battery.
While Denise and Cesar were staying in a shelter, her husband cleaned out their shared bank accounts, leaving Denise and Cesar traumatized and without any resources.
The pair moved from South Carolina to Florida, where Denise cares for Cesar and her mother with dementia in her mother's one-bedroom apartment. As a full-time caregiver for two family members with significant medical needs, Denise is not able to work a paying job and is struggling to make ends meet.
Your support would mean that Denise and Cesar could start a new life, away from physical abuse and out from under the burden of veterinary debt. They would be able to move into a properly-sized home and help get Cesar the therapies he needs to thrive.
It would, quite literally, be life-changing.
Any donations will go first toward resolving Buster's outstanding vet bills, and then toward helping with Cesar's care and therapy.
Thank you so much for considering this during a time when so many are struggling. Your generosity means the world to this family, and they thank anyone who can share, donate, or keep them in their thoughts.
____________
Documentation and additional details:
Child support —
Denise's former husband is not providing child support and her lawyer has advised her that it will be difficult to force him to do so while living in a different state, meaning that she might have to return to the same location as her abuser to receive any financial assistance from him.
Aid organizations —
Because of the pandemic, organizations that might normally be able to help with Cesar's care and therapy are overwhelmed and have not been able to provide any relief despite the hundreds of applications that Denise has filled out. He is unable to attend school because local public schools are not equipped for his different needs.
Credit score —
If Denise misses payments on her Scratchpay loan, her credit score will suffer and she will be unable to apply for an FHA loan that would allow her and Cesar to find permanent, safe housing.
More documentation available if requested.
Organizer and beneficiary
Leigh Kunkel
Organizer
Port Saint Lucie, FL
Denise Blanco
Beneficiary