Davis Family Coast-to-Coast

This year I’m celebrating my parents’ 75th birthdays by finding them a place to live and, ideally, moving them to the East Coast.

And I need your help.

Married 45 years ago on July 3rd (by the way, they met at JFK!), Kent and Linda Davis have devoted their entire partnership to making other peoples’ lives better. After a few particularly difficult years, they are now in the position of needing help themselves.

As a result of my mother’s debilitating health issues and their combined medical expenses, my parents have not been able to put enough retirement money away for their future, and they currently rely primarily on their social security income. Their landlord of 18 years has given them notice that he will be asking them to move later this year. They have already spent $259,000 in rent at this rental home. I wish it was a mortgage they’d paid off, but instead, they’ll be downsizing and selling many of their possessions—to bring them closer to me and other family on the East Coast. It’s not the ideal way to begin a new chapter of their lives, but I believe that with the help of their community, the financial burden can be lessened, and we can come to view this phase as a loving return to New York, where they began their relationship.

Throughout their lifetimes, my parents have prioritized relationships and service over financial success. While having little financial security of her own, my mom volunteered at a charitable outreach program for years. My dad somehow consistently volunteered his time, even when there was very little of it to go around. Those who know my parents know them to be tireless givers of themselves.

This GoFundMe campaign is therefore an opportunity for the people who love them to demonstrate our recognition and gratitude for their devotion to service. If my parents had been able to generate monetary value for every act of kindness, they’d be millionaires. But that’s not how kindness — or capitalism—works. It will surprise no one to know that they continue to be upbeat and optimistic about their future, even when times have been tough.

I’m undertaking this project this summer/fall because, essentially, it’s now or never. Because of the way senior benefit programs and eligibility work, they need to live in New York for a required amount of time before they can apply. That means that they need to be where they want to spend the rest of their lives before they can settle in for their “golden years.” I can’t express just how much I want this for them - to have a soft place to land, one near family and loved ones who can support them.

While $10,000 is the goal - which encompasses moving costs, transportation, new furniture and first/last month's rent - any amount we can raise would be so helpful. The budget I have outlined is here...for full transparency.

My parents gave their whole lives to me, to my brother, and to countless others. They are wealthy in experiences and love, but need help now from their friends and family. I deeply appreciate your aid in bringing them closer to me so that I can be of service to them - and showcasing that the community and world they cared for, can care for them.