On Wednesday, December 13, 2017, while my sister, Shari and her kids were out, thieves broke down their gate, broke the back door and entered their house.  My brother-in-law, Chico, was out of town on business.  The thieves stole TV's, jewelery,  3 laptop computers as well as other valuables. Two of the laptops were used for the kids to do on-line school. To make matters worse, the thieves also stole most of their wrapped Christmas gifts.  My sister lives in Brazil where break-ins are so common that the police are unable to keep up with the crime. Recovery of the items is highly unlikely. 
We are trying to raise $2000 to replace the kid's laptops so they can finish the school year.  Electronics in Brazil are nearly twice as expensive as they are in the U.S.

This idea came from one of you, and we hope to help this be a Merry Christmas for them. (Even though stuff isn't what makes Christmas Merry.)