Help with Zeke's funeral costs

Please consider any donation to help off set the cost of my nephew Zeke's funeral and other expenses accrued for his care. Amounts above and beyond will be donated to C.H.O.I.S.E.S (Caring Hearts Offering Information Compassion Encouragement & Support) of Yorkshire, NY www.choices info.com

 

Zeke was born with cerebral palsy. Due to tragic birth complications and unfit family situation Zeke was placed in foster care and labeled "least likely to be adopted." He was thought to be headed to a group home. God had different plans. Zeke suffered from multple medical issues and global delays. His life changed when he was placed with my sister Sarah and her family. Even with having 8 children of their own, they immediately fell in love with him and it didn't take long for them to make the decision to adopt him.

 

You can read more about his life in this article written in March of 2019 here. It was a great article about him and his journey to adoption.

 

Zeke was officially adopted on 12/18/2018. You can see the whole family in the pictures from his adoption day.

 

They gave him a life worth living and cared for his every need. Over time the doctors said that the outcome didn't look good and that they believed that he wouldn't last much longer. With the knowledge that he would pass soon they started to get things in order for his funeral. They were told by their insurance that because Zeke was a "Special Needs" child that they would not receive funeral cost benefits. This was a huge blow to the family.

 

Zeke passed away on the morning of January 4th. His obituary was written by my sister and it reads:

 

"Precious Ezekiel James Sardina (Zeke), born April 28, 2016, passed peacefully into heavenly eternity on January 4, 2022 in the comfort of his loving home with his mother and father by his side and siblings close by.

 

He soaked in and gave love with his gentle eyes and radiant smile, captured the adoration of all with his chubby cheeks, smart glasses and the coolest curls. He had a spirit of goodness that could only be gifted by the Holy One. He was our “Zekers”, “Zeke-man”, and “Zeke-in-nator sweet potater”. He loved “shake a leg” to make him smile, video chats, legos and magic tricks with big bro and sis, hangin’ and gamin’ with his bigger big bros, being sung to, doted and loved on by his bigger sisters, “ugga-muggas”, and rockin’ in the “mama chair” gazing up at mom or dad. His life and story of adoption, despite what the world sees as weakness and burden, inspired more good and brought blessing to more people than we will ever know.

 

His life is celebrated, treasured, and survived by his father and mother, Christopher and Sarah Sardina; siblings Emily (Peter) Laurent, Jacob, Lily, Heidi, Simon, Henry, Jonah, and Eden Sardina; grandparents, Frank and Connie Sardina, Larry and Gena Baney; super nephews Eamon and Beau Laurent; aunts and uncles Rebekah (Jonathan) Brennan, Brian (Jenn) Baney, Caleb (Sarah) Baney, Heather (Wade) Fiegl, Jonathan (Sarah) Sardina; 17 cousins, many great aunts and uncles, our special “Auntie Teri”, along with many beloved friends, foster care and health care workers. He is being greeted in heaven by truly great-grandparents and many other beloved friends and family.

 

We are forever thankful for those who cared for him on his path to becoming our son; Mama TJ and Papa Carlos, and Mama Carolyn and Dex.

 

It was a privilege to get to be yours, Little Man. We will be together again soon, all of us beautifully whole, shining with the light and love of our Savior. “Sooner than we think, longer than we wish” John Bunyan, The Pilgrim’s Progress"

 

 

Thank you for considering and for any help.

 

-Caleb