As many of you know, Alison and her dog, Dinah, were attacked by a raccoon.

For those that have not heard, Dinah was barking at a raccoon on their upstairs deck and Alison stepped outside to shoo the Raccoon away. When the door slid open, Dinah rushed outside and the raccoon leapt on her. Trying to save Dinah, Alison jumped in and grabbed her, but when she did the raccoon bit down on Alison's hand and bit off the top of the middle finger on her dominant hand.

What followed was an emergency vet visit for Dinah and an ER visit for Alison. She had to get rabies shots, have surgery on her finger and stay a couple nights which as I'm sure you all know, is not cheap. The first bills starting to come in are already over $6,100 and that doesn't include her hospital stay.

Alison is a hard working, creative, beloved member of the Portland preschool community. In addition to having to readjust to this new reality, which includes persistent pain and swelling, she is facing a huge financial hurdle.

Please help us in supporting a wonderful, deserving teacher and friend in this time of need.