Help Shelley in her time of grief

Hi, my name is Joanne and I'm fundraising for Michelle “Shelly” Aldrich, my friend, mentor, and teaching partner for over 14 years. Shelley is a dedicated Head Start Preschool teacher who has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of children and families in our community. She is the rock of her family, always giving love, financial and emotional support to them when they need it. She has taken care of her father through many illnesses and stayed with her daughter in an RV in Portland for months while her daughter was undergoing a bone marrow transplant. She had her daughter and grandchild live with her in her already full house until she was financially and emotionally able to be on her own.

Recently, her husband of almost 20 years, Travis Aldrich, unexpectedly passed away, leaving Shelley absolutely devastated and bereft without her anchor. As Travis was very young, there had been no preparations for funeral services or long-term emergencies. Shelley and Travis had recently become empty nesters and they were starting to plan the second half of their life together. Shelley would tell me about all the thoughtful things Travis would do like giving her a jar full of red Starbursts because he knew that those were her favorites and letting her pick what to eat on Fast Food Friday Nights. Now Shelley faces an unknown future. She needs time to be able to stay in her home where she can process her grief and make decisions for her future that will be empty of her partner.

We are asking donations to help cover the cost of Shelley's living expenses for one year. She has given so much to our Head Start program, the children and families of Longview and to her own family and friends. Please help Shelley in her time of grief.