An Update

I have struggled with this fundraiser from the very beginning.

Asking people for money is not something that comes naturally to me. In fact, I only finally agreed to do it after people who knew what our family was going through repeatedly encouraged me to ask for help. I eventually set a goal of $15,000 because I wanted to ask only for what I believed we absolutely needed to get through the immediate crisis of dealing with legal fees to protect my family.

I honestly had no idea what would happen, and what has happened since then has left me speechless.

The generosity we have received has been far beyond anything I could have imagined. People have donated money, sent messages of encouragement, prayed for us, and reminded us that we are not alone.

Most of you are complete strangers who happened upon my story and decided that our family was worth helping. I cannot adequately express what that has meant to me.

There have been moments during this incredibly painful season when I have felt completely overwhelmed and unsure about how I was going to protect and provide for my family. The financial support has helped tremendously, but the emotional support has been just as meaningful. Every message, every share, and every word of encouragement has helped more than I can say.

I am profoundly grateful.

I now find myself in the same uncomfortable position I was in when I started this fundraiser because people are asking me to ask for more.

People who have followed our story and contributed have reached out and encouraged me to increase the goal. They have pointed out something I didn’t want to acknowledge myself. Our need is not limited to just the initial legal expenses.

When I originally set the $15,000 goal, I was focused on getting an attorney and taking the first steps through the divorce process. However, the truth is that our financial needs are much larger.

When my husband left, our finances were devastated. All of our credit cards were maxed out, including accounts in my name, and my credit was severely damaged. I did not create this debt, but I am now facing the consequences of it while trying to rebuild a life and establish financial independence.

This is especially important because I will most likely have to sell our home. If that happens, I need to be able to qualify for alternate housing. Rebuilding my credit is not only about improving my credit score, but is about having the ability to provide my family with a safe and stable place to live once we sell our house.

For that reason, and at the encouragement of so many of you, I have increased our goal to $25,000.

The additional funds will help with legal expenses, essential living costs during this transition, and the financial burden created by the damaged credit I am now working to overcome. My goal is not just to survive this immediate crisis, but to put my family in a position where I can support us independently.

I do not expect anyone to give.

I know that everyone has their own responsibilities and financial challenges. If you have already donated, please know that you have already done something extraordinary for my family. If you cannot give financially, sending an encouraging message, or just keeping us in your thoughts means more than you know.

I hesitated to ask for help the first time, and I am still hesitant now. But through all of this, I’ve learned that sometimes strength doesn't mean doing everything alone. Sometimes it means having the courage to admit that I need help getting my family through this.

To every person who has supported us financially or emotionally, thank you. I will never forget the kindness you have shown my family and me.

You have given us so much more than financial assistance. You have given us breathing room and hope. And, most importantly, you have reminded us that we are not alone.

Thank you for helping us take the next steps toward a fresh start.

I am creating this fundraiser for my family as we try to find stability after an incredibly painful and overwhelming situation. My husband abandoned me and our five children, leaving us without financial support. We are now struggling to afford our home, and I am also facing the urgent need for legal help so I can move forward with a divorce and protect my family from further malfeasance. This is not something I ever imagined having to ask for help with, but right now I cannot do this alone.

The support from this fundraiser will go toward hiring an attorney and covering the legal fees needed to begin and continue the divorce process. Having proper legal representation is so important as I work to protect myself, my children, and our future, and to take the right steps forward during this crisis. If you are able to help, whether by donating or sharing this fundraiser, it would mean so much to me and my family. Your kindness and support will help us through this difficult chapter and give us a chance to move toward stability, protection, and a fresh start.