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Help Our Mom Get Back On Her Feet

Help Our Mom Get Back On Her Feet

Last Christmas, my brothers Jake, Cole, and I went on a walk with our mom around the neighborhood. The sun was out for a clear, crisp morning in our hometown of Redwood City California, where the four of us rented a hotel room so we could spend Christmas together. On the walk, Mom noticed some litter near a pond along the pathway and she got upset. It wasn't her backyard or even her street, but she spent the next three hours of Christmas morning picking up trash, because “No one else will do it,” and “Would you want trash in your front yard if you were a duck?” She never asked for our help. It was her good deed—one of the infinite—that we know and love her for so much.

If you know our mom, you know she’s one of the most giving people on earth. It comes with the territory of being a single mother with three boys. But hers is more than a mom’s obligatory generosity. She’d give a stranger her last supper if she thought he was hungry.

Calling for help is inherently difficult for such selfless people, and she Mom was weeping when she called me one day not long ago. Through the cracked reception of her shoddy cell phone, I heard a voice muffled with tears, “What do I do?”…“How do I make this work?”…”I need your help.”

Growing up, our mom was the hardest working woman I’ve known. For 24 years, she was a successful real estate agent in Woodside and Atherton, California, a dynamite woman and a full-time mom. She took us to soccer practice, hosted the best birthday parties and before, Christmas morning didn’t happen in a hotel room without even a tree to put presents under. It happened in Santa’s workshop; at least that’s how she made the house feel for her boys. She juggled a lot and raised her boys well. We’re lucky—we had the best mom a son could ask for. We still do.

Then came the divorce. Then, she got cancer. Then we lost our home and she lost her job. She lost her car and most other possessions as her savings went toward the sickness. Years passed, circumstances degraded and we’ve spent the past couple years working to get her back on top.

Now, she’s making giant strides. We’re proud to say she’s recovered from her illness and her health is consistently improving. She attends voluntary self-improvement courses and goes to church weekly. She volunteers around town and works part-time nannying for an autistic child.

After years working odd jobs to make ends meet, she finally has a pending job offer at a real estate brokerage. She’s testing to get her real estate license and plans to be a fully operating agent again by early-May. Her 24 years of experience are shining brighter than ever; she is ready to take back the job she enjoyed so much.

In less than one month—with the resources—our mom will be standing strong on her feet, more capable than ever of carrying her own weight, and as moms do—as she used to do so well—even her sons’ weight, too.

But right now, our resources are exhausted. We don’t have enough to bridge the gap. At the end of April, she will be forced to move out of the tiny, single bedroom she currently rents from another family’s home, with nowhere to go and no car to get her there. At no fault of her own, she has no significant other and no other family to help. And still, after years of fighting the good fight, we’re so close to winning. But equally close to losing. We’re all-in at an all-or-nothing crossroad, and so, we’re asking for help.

Below is the list of necessities we need to get our mom firing on all pistons again. A jumpstart, so to speak. We’ve been able to collect some money from a few miraculous people, but we have a long way to go. Anything you give is appreciated more than we can express. It will be paid back with all the good deeds our mom has left to live out. Thanks for your time.

Donna’s (mom’s) words:

After years of working different jobs to make due, I have found myself without means and temporarily dependent on my oldest son Michael, by his choice. I am in a very sad position now but with faith, perseverance and help, I will make it through this much like making it through the past.

I have always been a giving, understanding, helping person but have never really asked for help until now. My son suggested GOFUNDME and at first I felt undeserving compared to so many of the recipients, but then realized that it was my fear of asking for help that was holding me back. When Michael first brought this idea up, I was thinking that if I knew someone who needed help I would be glad to help them, especially in the situation I am in. I don’t like being on this side of the equation, but at this point, I could really use some help.

I do not want anyone to feel burdoned or obligated. I don’t want my struggle to be anyone elses. Please, only give what won't be missed. I will spend it wisely and carefully, and I will use it to do good things. I am starting my life over with a positive attitude and a new outlook on life, and with your help and the help of my sons, I will be encouraged and enabled to get back to where I once was.

Thank you so much and god bless. I will continue to do my best with what you give.

Cole's response:

First off, I love my mom. I want her to be, and she needs to be, in the best, safest and most comfortable place possible.  She has been struggling to get back on her feet. With our help, we will achieve that. 
I'm confident our mom will get back on track and go back to being the awesome real estate agent she once was. We love our mom, and if you know her, you do too. She's had a lot of trouble in recent years, paying rent and taking care of us hasn't been easy. But still, she always makes sure we're happy.
This money will go to good things. Anything you give will be helpful. We appreciate it tremendously. Thank you all and God bless.

 Jake's words:

My mom and dad were the best parents, I understand this more every day. Leader of the soccer league, my mom was a super hero in my early days. My dad, always teaching me new words or facts about life, was the most interesting and intriguing man. I always wanted to learn from him. Life was perfect because I didn't see or know anything that was wrong. When they divorced, to me, it came out of no where. I remember talking to my mom about a crush and having a smile on my face, and it promptly disappearing after she shared the news. I imagine this is the feeling my mom felt as things continued to spiral downwards. She never gave up in her challenges and her drive to be a strong mother. I never knew how hard life was until I moved out, and from afar, her troubles were not apparent. She has always been the best mom. I struggle to get by as life's challenges arise and I now understand, that is exactly what she has always been doing. When I become successful in my career and as I continue to further my education, I will always support my mom with anything I can because I KNOW who she is and that she deserves a helping hand. Please respect her feelings in this as I know it is very emotional. If you are not burdened by contributing any amount, every donation is helping a beautiful woman, mother, friend, stranger, superhero. Thank you for your time.

Career:
-$200 rents space in real estate office for for two months
-$1800 Real Estate Board fees, license renewal and materials

Car:
-$2,000 down payment
-$500 in fees to get on road

Living Situation:
-$2000 to get established in a decent, temporary living arrangement. (deposit/first month’s rent)
-$1500 to support her till she sells her first house.

Total: $8,000
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Donations 

  • Jon Hillier
    • $50 
    • 9 yrs
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Organizer

Mike Misselwitz
Organizer
Redwood City, CA

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