This GoFundMe is for the Short Family—people who have spent their lives opening their home, their table, and their hearts to anyone who needed it. They were a second family to me, and to so many others. If you needed a place to land, a meal, guidance, or simply love, they never hesitated.

Tragically, their youngest son was aboard the fishing vessel Lily Jean out of Gloucester when it capsized. Debris from the boat has been recovered, along with an empty life raft. One body has been found deceased, and six others—including their son—are still missing. The waiting, the not knowing, is unimaginable.

Right now, family members are flying in from all over the United States to be together—to search, to pray, to support one another. The costs are adding up quickly: last-minute flights, hotels, food, gas, and now the looming expense of laying their son to rest.

We are raising money so the Short family can focus on what matters most—mourning their beloved son, holding one another close, and trusting God to carry them through—without the added stress of expenses.

This family has always given selflessly, even when it was hard. Now it’s our turn to give back. Please consider donating, sharing, and praying for peace, strength, and God’s presence to surround them in this devastating time. Any amount helps, and every prayer matters.

Thank you for loving this family the way they have loved so many.