Help for the Family of Celia Kollie

Joshua Johnston is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Susan Melvin.

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On April 29, 2019, Celia Kollie was shot and killed in her family’s home in Hazelwood, Missouri. She was 18 years old, a college freshman planning to become a pediatrician. Celia leaves behind two wonderful parents, Jallah and Kebeh, an older sister, Princess, a younger brother, Jallah Jr., and a younger sister, Wundaneh.

The family is very fortunate to have received assistance in paying for the funeral and burial expenses, as well as some help from their church and insurance company, but they still face a number of financial challenges. Many of Celia’s relatives, including Celia’s older sister, live in Liberia, so coming here for the funeral will involve a number of expenses, including airfare. There is also damage from the shooting in the home that needs to be repaired, as well as some work in advance of the relatives coming.

Finances are tight for the family. Celia’s parents are both taking time off of work, and it is unknown at this time how much of that time will be with or without pay. This is an especially challenging situation for Celia’s mother, who was at home when the shooting took place and witnessed it.

Celia’s family are members of Hazelwood Baptist Church. I am one of the teachers in Celia’s parents’ Sunday School class, and our class is coordinating with the church to raise money for the family. All the money raised in this GoFundMe fundraiser will go directly to the church, which will in turn give the money directly to the family.

Donations can also be made by mail to:

Hazelwood Baptist Church
6161 Howdershell Road
Hazelwood, MO 63042

If you send money to Hazelwood Baptist via mail, make the check payable to Hazelwood Baptist Church, and write "for the family of Celia Kollie" in the memo line.

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