Help Everett Reclaim His Life

Hello Familia,

Throughout the years, we've been in contact with cousin Everett "Lalito" Gonzalez, or some of us still remember him as "El Chavo". I don't remember a lot of the details when we were young kids other than I was 13 at the time and he was one of our "older" cousins that would visit us from California. Recently, I was made aware that there might be a chance to let him out after 30+ years due to changing laws, overcrowding, but most importantly good behavior. I cannot even begin to imagine what it is like but somehow he has managed to stay so positive and educate himself. I was truly amazed and even humbled when we spoke on the phone and how he has not lost hope. We reminisced about our younger days and how his time has been on hold with those memories, but happy ones. The purpose of all this is to give him an opportunity he hasn't had the luxury of having due to economic circumstances. We all have grown a bit older and wiser to know proper representation is costly in our justice system. I'm not here to try and change anyone's morals or feelings, simply to explain what I felt when I reached out to him. I've had a handful of crossroads in my life that I am not very proud of and wouldn't be here if I didn't have the funds or legal representation I did at the time. Wouldn't it be great if we could do that for one of our own family members?

Everett had just turned 18 and I believe he is about to turn 50. He is a changed man that has paid his consequences dearly, in my opinion. We have always wanted to help but our parents were struggling to make ends meet and we were all young. Some of our uncles have expressed, at one time or the other, how nice if we could all pull thru for a good cause while the beneficiary is still alive instead of waiting for sad events like funerals or health issues. Bear in mind that I reached out to him and asked him for permission, he did not ask because he wasn't sure if we would help his cause. He was chocked up just to know that we still care and love him after all these years. I have typed this message at least ten times with teary eyes and start all over. There is so much to say, so many emotions, but we will save that for his release! Please reach out to him, tio Lalo, tia Gory, Mommys, or myself if you have any questions, concerns, or just on the fence. It is a time-sensitive window however, as all legal proceedings are. I think he is being very conservative as you can see by the goal set. It would be nice and very doable if we could raise this to account for surprises and possible continuances.

Stay Strong and United,

Gonzalo