Hi, my name is Regine Smith, and Sherie Collins is my Great Aunt. Sherie suffered an absolutely devastating event on July 14, 2022. But let me tell you the story of her life, which indirectly led to this event. Sherie is 74 years old and one of the sweetest God-fearing women in our family’s life. If she has a $1.00 she would give you $.75. After 44+ plus years of marriage, her husband Harold Collins suffered a devastating medical condition on Christmas Morning, December 25, 2013 called an Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) which is characterized by a brief but widespread attack of inflammation in the brain and spinal cord that damages myelin – the protective covering of nerve fibers. She was at the hospital every day and at the care facility in which he was moved after three brain surgeries; Harold’s health started declining to the point where the doctors told her it was time to make one of the most difficult decisions of her life. On October 24, 2014, she made the decision to take him off of life support. For over 44 years, Harold and Sherie shared a life of love, respect, joy and happiness that cannot be described or measured. They were ONE! Always walking hand and hand. Unfortunately, after his death, she had to sell her home of 40 years and move into an apartment in Compton, California. She has been an Uber driver for the past five years to make ends meet.

On July 15, 2022. Her next-door neighbor shot his roommate in Compton, California. She heard the gunshot and looked out her front door to see her neighbor coming out of his door, bleeding profusely. He said he was in pain and need to get to the hospital. She asked him to sit down on the steps and called 911, after which she went into her apartment to get something to tie around his leg to stop the bleeding. When the Sherriff arrived, her neighbor said he accidentally shot himself but the gun and his roommate were still in the apartment. When the police asked the roommate to come out with his hands up, he started shooting. She and the deputies ran back into her apartment and called for backup. The Deputies truly protected her and had her hide behind a bookshelf until backup came. They subsequently had the Fire Department bring a ladder to the rear window, hoisted her out of the apartment and placed her into a patrol car. The suspect held himself in the apartment and eventually set it on fire. Sherie’s apartment suffered smoke and water damage, and she is not sure when or if she’ll be able to return to her apartment. Here's a link to the Fox 11 News report of the incident (Sherie is the woman being hoisted from her apartment window):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rC4nHqf3Wvo

To add more devastation, on July 21, 2022, while staying at her brother's home, she went out to her car this morning, and it was gone! It was stolen! Now she’s lost her housing and transportation!

Sherie is also a Veteran serving her country in the U.S. Army.

A donation of any amount would help Sherie relocate to a safer environment, replace any clothing, furniture or appliances lost due to the fire and now assist her with obtaining another vehicle. Click the link to access the fundraiser below:

https://gofund.me/46c84785

It would mean much if you could also share my fundraiser link with your friends. The more people hear about this horrible occurrence, the quicker we can reach our fundraising goal.

Sincerely,

Regine Smith