Hello, my name is Andrea Mirro, and I’m here attempting to raise $3,500 for my 61 year old mother to get a heating system installed in her home. She lives in Staten Island, NY, where the winters can reach temperatures below 0. She has been without heat for 5 years. A little background on why -  She lives in a very small old home, and 5 years back her then boyfriend tore the furnace out with the intention of getting a new modern heating system installed in the house, as the previous system was very very old. Before that could ever happen her then boyfriend abandoned her and the house without a word, and when he did he stole most of her valuables and he also stole the little money she had saved in a lock box. He’s been gone for 5 years. Each winter she has to boil water on the stove for hours or run her oven (which is dangerous) and run electric space heaters to offer some warmth, though the warmth the offer is very little. Due to constantly sitting in front of these electric space heaters to keep warm my mother has developed some sort of burns and blood pooling on her legs which has become very painful. The pipes also frequently freeze which leaves her unable to use water and in constant fear that the pipes may burst. We are asking $3,500 because this was the cheapest possible quote she received from a plumbing company who can install a furnace, a duct to deliver heat via floor grate (very old, small house) and a thermostat. Should we raise the necessary amount all proofs and receipts will be provided. The reason my mother can not afford this on her own is because she is unemployed and on disability. Please help, even a small donation will go a long way. She is a wonderful mother and grandmother and it pains me to see her go through winters struggling to stay warm. Thank you.