Dear community,

I’m reaching out to raise funds for a Little Hill family many of us know and love — the Sheveners. You might recognize them as El Cerrito Youth Baseball staples, always cheering on their awesome son Otis every spring. Or maybe you know them as the Christmas house on Elm Street — the one that threw a block party for the entire city back in 2021, when we all needed a little extra joy.

This morning, I learned that this humble, creative family could use some of that community love in return.

Last Wednesday, Gabe (of Haley and Gabe) suffered a sudden, unexplained seizure in the middle of the night. Haley woke to find him seizing so violently that she immediately called 911, believing—like any of us would—that she was watching her husband die. Gabe regained consciousness in the ambulance but suffered injuries from the episode: a dislocated shoulder, fractured humerus, and vertebrae.

The family is still searching for answers about what caused this, and they’re living with the fear that it could happen again at any moment. Because of that risk, Gabe’s driver’s license has been suspended, preventing him from commuting to work in San Francisco. Between the lost income and growing medical expenses, financial stress is mounting. No one is sleeping much, and though they would never ask for help themselves, they’ve agreed to let me share their story in hopes that our community might lift some of the weight.

If you’ve ever faced an unexpected hardship—or if you’ve felt the warmth this family brings to our city—please consider offering your support. Every bit helps. Even the smallest gesture means more than you know.

With gratitude,

The Little Hill