Help Mekaila & Chris Replace their Car!

Hey All,

Times have been especially tough these past few months for my sister, brother-in-law, and their 3 kids in northern NJ. Mekaila and Chris have been without a car since April 2024 and have been doing everything they can to make ends meet, in an area where there is minimal-no public transportation; they are stuck and have come to realize that they need outside help in order to replace their vehicle, their only mode of transportation.

In April 2024 the engine blew; in search of a solution, they went to the junkyard and found a replacement engine, but were quoted $1200 just for the part, not including the cost of labor to install it. They have 3 kiddos and pets, and they just can't afford the upfront cost. Mekaila works full-time, while Chris cares for the kids and animals, working part-time as well; they live paycheck-to-paycheck and have been in survival mode for much longer.

While family members have been assisting with rides and borrowed cars for the past 3 months to get both Mekaila and Chris to work, to pick up groceries, to live, these measures are only band-aids and something's gotta give. Mekaila works 30-40 minutes away, and every day has to be reworked to incorporate rides; as a result days are longer than usual and they are fried. After entertaining multiple courses of action, they've come to the conclusion that any hypothetical money would be best spent on a newer car that will last them longer than a year or two.

If you know me, you know I love my sister and her family, and you know how much I look forward to visiting NJ to see them. Mekaila and Chris are vibrant and deeply compassionate people who help those around them as often as they can. The stress never lets up, and it's really tough to hear how they've been struggling to keep things afloat. With their approval, this page is a very much a hail-mary to orchestrate a viable solution.

I've been graciously impacted by personal and public generosity, and can personally attest to the way reallocation of resources can drastically change the direction of a situation. They say many hands make light work; and that's where you come in. Mekaila and Chris need help holding on.

The Car -> Gets both Mekaila and Chris to Work -> Means they can Pay Rent -> Which Maintains security for both Work and Where they Live. We're looking into other resources, but the car affects the viability and direction of everything.

Their goal is to raise enough money for a used car that's in solid shape, and anything additional would go toward emergency Lyft rides to fill gaps in transportation. They plan is to leave the money in a separate account until it's enough to secure another vehicle. A gift/donation of any size would help them inch closer to put money down on a more reliable vehicle so they can stop treading water and swim. Would you consider giving $25 or $50? If you don't have the means to give, please share this fundraiser with as many people as you can: https://gofund.me/52784668

Thanks so very much for reading, and for your consideration on Mekaila and Chris's behalf during this tense and trying time.

With love,

Laura Phillips

Ithaca NY