Help Us Fight Eviction and Recover from Illness

Dear Friends, Family, and Compassionate Individuals

Our Mission:

I hope this message finds you well. We are reaching out to you with a heavy heart and a plea for help on behalf of Mark, Michele, Justice and PiPpy Davis beloved members of our community who currently facing an unprecedented crisis. Mark has been battling severe illnesses that have not only taken a toll on his health but has also left them struggling to make ends meet. Unfortunately, this struggle has reached a critical point, and The Davis' now face the imminent threat of eviction due to the inability to pay rent.

♥️ Their Story ♥️

Hello everyone, I'm Mark. It took me four hours to choose the words for this letter.

Being completely transparent I did have help with the introduction and closing..

But this Story are my words.

If you're seeing this, you're either in my or a dear friend of my close group of friends and acquaintances. This is embarrassing for us, but we have no choice but to use this last resort to ask for help from friends who may be able to help, even just a little. I never thought I'd be doing a GoFundMe, but we really have our backs against the wall right now while facing eviction. I'm embarrassed, humbled, and feel rather awkward doing this. But we need help.

Over the past two and a half/ three months I have been riddled with sickness, viruses and bacterias. It's literally been one thing after another. I've visited doctor's 6 times in the last 3 months from MedExpress to the ER (multiple times) and Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital Charlottesville, VA (last weekend).

As this all began I had just recently left the restaurant business after years in the industry to explore a career type job. I was determined to break free from the restaurant "server life" (no offense to my front of the house peeps out there, I loved waiting tables@ Sedona Tap House) but I was coming up on turning 46 December 27th and I was taking a good hard look at my future. And I found it!

I was blessed with an opportunity to be mentored by a 30+ year experienced Pedorthist and fit specialist at a high end shoe store here in Charlottesville. Being that my resume consisted of mostly of sales/ branding/ marketing & hospitality it came to me as a "God Wink". I got through my first two weeks of training and was loving it! I've always appreciated a good shoe and love helping people, so it was a great fit for me.

.. then the problems began with my health. I'm willing to go into detail for anyone who wants to know what measures we've already taken or what my issues were. I'm an open book but please ask privately.

The court date for eviction is February 8th, so just over two weeks and we need to raise $7,500. If we can get the funds before the court date and get even with the rental office the case will be closed. Meaning No court, No eviction stamp on my rental history and No court costs.

So far the steps I've taken to avoid this eviction are as follows. In the past week, since the sheriff taped that court summons to our front door on my first day back at work.

* I've spoken to Social Services and was blessed with $200 on a food stamp or EBT card

*I've also applied through Social Services for a rent relief program that was just recently funded for Albemarle County, Va called ACERP

* I've applied to another rent relief program my rental office recommended called ESUSU (this one is actually an interest free loan, so I would have to pay that one back costing hundreds of dollars a month over twelve months) which would be a blessing but rent and bills will keep coming at that point as well..

Unfortunately, Both applications may or may not even be decided on before the court date. I appreciate the consideration for my applications sent, however, there are No guarantees of either being approved. Also, as of today Monday the 22th, I have legal council after contacting Free Legal Aid Charlottesville, VA and confirming they are taking my case!

Meanwhile while all this is going on with my health I'm still working the shoe store very part time and missing weeks at a time multiple times. For the record I started back full time this week! God Bless my new boss, he is the most patient, understanding and compassionate boss a person could ask for. Honestly, I would've probably fired me by now. But, he sees something in me and is grooming me for management. The Best decision for my future was to take a leap, a big baby step, and break free from the server life. I'm 2.1 miles from the store, get along great with my other two colleges and I'm Happy all day! The hours I did work in December allowed me the finances to pay $1,300 last month towards rent. However, this barely made a dent in it because the late fees just keep piling up.

Here I need to mention Michele. Michele and I have lived together for 11 years from Chesterfield, VA to Charlottesville, VA. Michele was let go from the SPCA back in July as the Adoptions and Intake manager due to "restructuring" after three years of dedicated service. She began Ubering a month later after multiple attempts to land a job in animal care. Even applying to become a 911 responder.

While I was in and out, down and out she was Ubering. I was putting most of my pay checks towards rent, keeping $200 to last until the next two week paycheck for essentials for the home (bath and body care, the basics). Michele was out driving people safely to their destinations to make enough to pay and keep our phones on, her car insurance current, power bill and dog food. We Are keeping bills current but thats about it. In this same paragraph I need to mention our babies♥️ Justice Royal Davis and PiPpy "Punkin Head" Davis. Justice is nine, PiP is three. BOTH are my emotional support animals or ESA (Medically Cert.) My dogs are my babies and professional smile makers. They are my children. I've raised justice since he was 9 weeks or so and PiPpy is a rescue from the Charlottesville SPCA.

So here we are,

Michele, Justice, PiP and Myself

Reaching out for help. I don't want to have to relocate and lose the best most rewarding job I've Ever had and don't have the money to do that at the moment. We are in a pinch. I don't know what else to say. But if we lose our home and dogs, I cannot begin to imagine what this will do to us. Every donation made will be equally appreciated. Anything from $5, $10, $20 however much it may be.

Best Regards,

Mark Davis

How You Can Help:

We are launching this GoFundMe campaign with the hope of raising $7,500 to cover the overdue rent, late fees and other essential expenses. Your generous contributions will not only help prevent the Davis' from facing homelessness but will also allow them to concentrate on regaining their health without the added burden of potential eviction.

Every dollar counts, and your support can make a significant impact. Please consider making a donation, sharing this campaign on your social media networks, and spreading the word within your community. Together, we can make a difference in Mark's life during this challenging time.

Your kindness and compassion will not go unnoticed. Let us come together as a community to support the Davis' in their time of need. Your generosity will provide them with a lifeline, offering hope, stability, and a renewed sense of strength as they continue their journey toward recovery.

Thank you for taking the time to read Mark's Story and for considering making a contribution. Your support means the world to us.