Shawn’s world was turned upside down when her beloved son, Gavin (Gavilan) Martinez, tragically passed away at just 21 years old. Gavin was living in North Dakota, working hard in the oil fields and building a life for himself far from his hometown of Banning, CA. He was Shawn’s baby—her little toe-headed boy who loved kickboxing, working out, and always called her 'mama.' His name, meaning 'Hawk' in Spanish, was a perfect fit for his free spirit. Shawn remembers him with so much love: 'Fly high, baby. Fly high.'

Now, Shawn and her family are facing the unimaginable task of traveling out of state to say goodbye and bring Gavin home. The sudden loss has left them with many unexpected expenses: multiple airline tickets for Shawn and her immediate family to fly to North Dakota, hotel stays while they handle his affairs, cremation costs, and renting a U-Haul to bring Gavin’s belongings back to California. The journey home will require driving across several states, with additional travel expenses for gas, overnight hotel stays, and meals along the way. Every step of this journey is filled with both emotional and financial challenges.

Shawn is not alone in her grief—Gavin is survived by his loving mama Shawn, his father David Martinez, his grandfather David Turner, brother Jordan, and sister Alyvia. Any support you can offer will help ease the burden on Shawn and her family as they honor Gavin’s memory and bring him home. Your kindness and generosity mean so much during this heartbreaking time. We are also asking for your prayers for Shawn and her family as they navigate this loss.