Hi, my name is Gavin, and I’m creating this GoFundMe for myself and my friend Marissa.

On Wednesday 11/12/25, our lives changed in a single instant. We were driving back to Vermont from Texas after we visited her son for his birthday — something that was supposed to be a happy, simple trip home.. But somewhere in Virginia, in a moment we never saw coming, everything went wrong. We were in a serious car accident that was completely out of our control.

You always hear stories about how life can change in a split second… but you never really believe it could be you. That was us. We never thought we’d be “those people.” Until, in a flash of crushed metal and chaos, we were.

The accident totaled our car — our only vehicle, our only way to get to work, get groceries, get anywhere. And even though it wasn’t our fault, we weren’t given a replacement or help to move to find another. Insurance is only paying off the vehicle that was hit, leaving us with nothing to show for what we lost.. Now we are stuck in a place where survival itself depends on having a car… and we suddenly don’t have one.

As if losing our vehicle wasn’t enough, everything else began piling on. Phone bills, Grocery bills, Home bills. Everyday expenses that don’t care you’ve just been through something traumatic. Things we were already juggling before the accident have become mountains overnight. It’s overwhelming in ways that are hard to describe — emotionally, financially, mentally. It feels like life hit “pause” for everyone else, but sped up for us…

And with the holidays coming up, we know this is a hard time for so many people. Money is tight, families are stretched thin, and everyone is trying to make the season special. We understand that completely. But we’re hoping that in the spirit of holiday love, generosity, and that little bit of magic people hold onto this time of year… someone out there might be able to share just a bit of that hope with us.

Even in the middle of all this mess, we’re choosing to believe there is still good in the world. That there are people who understand what it means to struggle and still find compassion. That kindness can show up even when life feels dark. That people who have a little extra light are willing to share it with those of us who are trying so hard not to lose ours.

If you are able to donate anything — truly anything — it would be a blessing beyond words. Every dollar brings us one step closer to getting back on our feet and getting a car so we can work again, keep going, and avoid sinking deeper into the challenges we’re already fighting.

And if you can’t donate, please just share our story. That small act alone could reach someone who can help.

Thank you for reading, for caring, and for taking a moment out of your day to hear what we’re going through. We are profoundly grateful for every bit of support and love sent our way.

And please — from us to you — always wear your seat belt.

It’s not about being “cool,” it’s not a personality trait, and it’s not an inconvenience. In a moment like the one we went through, it can be the thin, fragile line between life and death. We are living proof of that. We hope our story reminds each and every one of you to buckle up.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.❤️‍