Keep Mike in Canada with Gracie

Three years ago, I went to court for custody of my then 5 year old daughter Gracie. Many of you followed us on that journey and helped us in ways too great to list here. They told us the battle would take 8-10 years and i ended up winning full custody in 8 months. We were told to go and enjoy our lives, although we would most likely come up against some roadblocks on the way as part of agreement was we would stay in Alberta for a year before asking permission to leave the province. The next 3 years were the most rewarding of my life. I have watched Gracie grow into the most incredible young lady and have learned so much about being a dad. As we say at our house, "Lots of happy tears."
  We have finally reached our first big roadblock. My Canadian immigration is up for renewal this year. Trying to save money, I did all the paperwork myself and submitted it as soon as I was allowed, but because of the divorce and the custody case we have been asked to retain an immigration lawyer to help with an "urgent" application as all paperwork is delayed right now for up to 4 months.
  Our second roadblock is actually a happy one as we have been given permission after 2 1/2 years to finally leave Alberta and relocate closer to family in New York!! Ontario has been our goal for awhile. With all my family in New York, Alberta has been lonely and hard for us.
  Being on our own out here has provided us with our share of challenges and although I would love to be SuperDad and pull this off on my own, it is just impossible. We just make our bills each month, so the added expenses of an immigration lawyer and a cross country move are beyond our reach. Our timeline to get everything said and done is August. That is when my immigration expires and gives us the summer to relocate and put Gracie in another school. Otherwise I am looking at possibly seperating us until everything is resolved and that nightmare just can't happen.
  We came to you all once before with the custody battle, so I was hesitant to do so again even after several trusted friends suggested it. But after speaking to Gracie about our situation, a very teary 8 year old grabbed me in a bearhug and said, "Please, I can't lose you."
  And so here we are. If you can help, we would greatly appreciate it. The money will be used to secure and pay for a lawyer and whatever is left over will start us on our journey back east to our family.
  Thank you all so much for always checking on us. We never would have made it this far without your continued love and support.
  Love you all,
  Mike and Gracie Dambra