Funeral Expenses
Donation protected
Greetings friends, family and colleagues, it is with a very heavy heart that I am asking for your support in this time of need for the family of my dear friend Jess Michael Smith. Jess passed away in a drowning accident this past November 4th, leaving behind 3 children and a large extended family who are all devestated. Jess is from Fort Apache, Arizona on the White Mountain Apache Reservation. This community was recently classified as the most impoverished community in all of Arizona, with the highest dropout rate in the state and the suicide capital of the United States.
Despite these conditions his resilience and positive personality were an asset to the entire community. I've known Jess since he was 12 and have been a mentor for him to the present. He has voulenteered in helping to facilitate numerous grass roots youth events on the White Mountain Apache and Navajo nations since 1997 to 2017. He was featured in the documentary film on Geronimo for the 5 part documentary series "We Shall Remain" for American Experience. He was a reenactor and portrayed an Apache Scout. Jess had recently started a new job in Phoenix AZ where he relocated in an effort to find opportunities not found on the reservation. His experience and abilities were diverse and much apprecieated by those who knew him.
I hope you can find it in your heart to donate in support of his family who are in need of financial aid to cover the funeral expenses. I had always envisioned working with him well into the future and often I'd tell him we would be grandfathers one day, skateboarding artist filmmaking grandfathers. I am saddened, as is his family and community. We will all miss him dearly but not as much as his 3 children will. Thank you for your consideration.
Despite these conditions his resilience and positive personality were an asset to the entire community. I've known Jess since he was 12 and have been a mentor for him to the present. He has voulenteered in helping to facilitate numerous grass roots youth events on the White Mountain Apache and Navajo nations since 1997 to 2017. He was featured in the documentary film on Geronimo for the 5 part documentary series "We Shall Remain" for American Experience. He was a reenactor and portrayed an Apache Scout. Jess had recently started a new job in Phoenix AZ where he relocated in an effort to find opportunities not found on the reservation. His experience and abilities were diverse and much apprecieated by those who knew him.
I hope you can find it in your heart to donate in support of his family who are in need of financial aid to cover the funeral expenses. I had always envisioned working with him well into the future and often I'd tell him we would be grandfathers one day, skateboarding artist filmmaking grandfathers. I am saddened, as is his family and community. We will all miss him dearly but not as much as his 3 children will. Thank you for your consideration.
Organiser and beneficiary
Dustinn Craig
Organiser
Mesa, AZ
Sylvia Browning
Beneficiary
