An Appeal for Mary Merrill Proud Mary's Dana Point

On Memorial Day weekend in 1977, Mary Merrill opened a restaurant named Proud Mary's in Dana Point Harbor. The restaurant did well under Proud Mary's dedication to quality homemade food and naturally friendly service. From its modest beginning, Proud Mary’s Restaurant grew into a local hangout and popular Dana Point Harbor destination.

Now in her nineties, Proud Mary urgently needs your help! She is struggling with her health (debilitating arthritis, macular degeneration, early signs of dementia). As Mary’s son and primary caregiver 24x7, I am determined to keep her at home away from a nursing facility for as long as possible. But the expenses have long exceeded our fixed incomes and depleted our savings. Your donation will help ease the financial burden threatening Mary’s ability to continue living at home.

Donations go towards:

Living expenses (food, fuel, utilities, etc.).

Durable medical equipment (grab bars, floor-to-ceiling support posts, walkers, wheelchairs, toilet seat risers with handles, electric bathtub lift, stair gates, outside entrance ramp, the list goes on…).

Unexpected home repairs ($15k for a new sewer line, $2k for trimming hazardous tree branches, pending roof repairs, and more).

The additional costs of property maintenance, property taxes, and homeowners’ insurance.

Proud Mary is no longer the owner of Proud Mary's, but her legacy lives on. Instead of bringing joyful experiences to everyone she met, Proud Mary now needs your help. Won't you please give to Proud Mary's cause? Any donation, no matter how small, is greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Chuck Merrill