We are Tony in Virginia and Andressa on Hawaii’s Big Island. We are organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Lisa and James Paddleford after the tragic loss of Lisa’s son, Zachery “Zach” Winston, in a traffic accident on Hawaii’s Big Island on May 5, 2026.

In the last year, Zach found meaningful work, close friendships, and a renewed sense of purpose in Hawaii. This fundraiser will help Lisa and James travel to Hawaii, honor Zach’s life alongside the friends he made there, bring part of him back to Virginia, and help cover memorial and related expenses during this difficult time.

This has been sudden and heartbreaking. But amid the grief, they found comfort in learning how much Zach had come to mean to the people around him in Hawaii.

Zach had begun a new chapter in his life with meaningful work on the Big Island. Perhaps more important, he became close to the people he worked alongside or met. Friends and employers on the Big Island welcomed him, supported him, and helped him build a life that he was proud of. People like Jackie and John helped make that new chapter possible.

By all accounts, Hawaii brought out the very best in Zach. He found purpose, peace, and community. He earned the respect and friendship of those around him. He was excited about the future he was creating.

Now Lisa and James are traveling from Virginia to Hawaii to honor Zach’s life, meet the people who became part of his Hawaii family, and participate in a memorial gathering being organized by friends he made on the island.

Part of Zach’s ashes will remain in Hawaii, a place that became deeply meaningful to him, while the rest will return home to Virginia, where family and friends will gather again on June 13th for a memorial in his honor.

This fundraiser will help Lisa and James with the unexpected expenses created by this tragedy, including:

A close friend has generously donated hotel accommodations, greatly reducing the financial burden on the family given both the cost of travel to Hawaii and the last-minute nature of the trip. Friends Zach made in Hawaii have also stepped forward with extraordinary kindness and support. The compassion shown by friends in Hawaii has meant more to Lisa and James than words can express.

As friends from both Hawaii and Virginia come together to support Zach’s family, we wanted to create a place where people whose lives he touched could help. If you are able to donate, thank you sincerely. If you are unable to donate, sharing this fundraiser with others who knew Zach or who may wish to support the family would also mean a great deal.

Most of all, thank you for helping Lisa and James honor Zach’s life and bring part of him home.