A Home For Mom

Hello! The reason for this GoFundMe Campaign is to help my mother, Susie Colon, and her neighbors who live in Coamo, Puerto Rico. My mother lost her home and all of her belongings in the wake of Hurricane Maria on September 20. After more than a week of no news I was finally able to speak with her and I am grateful that she was not physically harmed. Although she seemed in good spirits she informed me that she lost everything and was only able to salvage a couple of family photos. She also informed me that FEMA would not approve any federal assistance because she draws on her social security for her day to day needs.

My mother is a humble, hardwork hard working woman who raised me as a single mother. She filled the role of mother, father, and friend. She taught me the value of hard -work and how to be a good man and human being; lessons I took with me when I joined the US Army and lessons that I am trying to teach to my son, her only grandchild.  Through what has been not an easy life she has always been strong and positive. She is also a woman of great faith and I know that faith has helped her persevere.

My mother is a selfless woman. We told her to move to Virginia with us where she would have be comfortable and have the things she is currently without; including hot running water, warm food, gasoline, transportation, and electricity. My wife even bought her an airplane ticket for 6 October, which was hard to come by. But she turned us down. She turned us down because she  wants to stay, rebuild and help her siblings, family, friends, and community/her people get back on their feet. The resiliency of my mom continues to shine.

It is for this reason that I set up this fundraiser, to help her build her home, stronger than before and help members of her community recover. She informed me that a local home builder has given her a rough estimate of $70,000 to rebuild her home. She will also need appliances and to furnish her home, but that's secondary at this point. We just need enough to get started with putting a roof over her head again. Anything that you can give would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, all!