Hey all, Hagar here. I'm incredibly sad to share that Simo Vakni, Arielle's dad, passed away on January 31. As the passing was completely unexpected, I'm putting together this fundraiser to help Arielle cover his burial costs, memorial fees, probate lawyer, travel expenses (Arielle and Sean live in New Mexico), and time off work. Additionally, the Vakni's lost their family home in the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire, and Simo was in the process of getting a manufactured home delivered to the property. Arielle will inherit the cost of the delivery and installation of the house.

All of these expenses are frankly unimaginable and dire for a daughter who has so recently lost her father. There's no easy way to grieve the passing of a loved one, but I do believe that helping Arielle financially will alleviate the stress of these added burdens.

Simo was a cherished light of the Santa Cruz community. He loved his children deeply and fought for them to live a comfortable life and chase their dreams. His love of music was contagious, and his unique building style was one of a kind. He left a strong mark on the paths he traveled- his spirit will surely stay with us.

If you have a message you'd like to share with Arielle with your donation, I think she would really appreciate it. Whether it's a fun memory of Simo or words of support/encouragement. If you don't have the means to donate but want to help in other ways, don't hesitate to get in touch with me directly. Please also share this with others. Much love, thank you.