Dear friends, family, and generous strangers,

It is with deep sorrow that my family and I share the devastating news of my father, Carl's, passing at just 52 years old due to being violently assaulted. My father was tragically kicked in the head repeatedly while defending a coworker from a harasser. The attack caused brain bleeding, and sadly, his injuries took him from us.

My father worked tirelessly in Japan to support my stepmother and my three young half-siblings, ages 18, 13, and 8, who live in the Philippines and now face a future without the only financial support they had. His children, all still in school, depended entirely on his income to cover their daily needs and continue their education. Without him, their future has become uncertain. Now, they are left without the stability my father provided.

In addition to his children, my father is survived by his three siblings and his parents, who are in their 80s. This loss is felt deeply by all who loved him, and we are committed to honoring his memory by coming together as a family and supporting one another in his absence.

We are raising $16,300 to cover my father’s funeral expenses and to provide financial stability for my stepmother and siblings, who are now in a state of deep uncertainty. Specifically, we are seeking $9,800 to transport his embalmed body from Japan to the Philippines, $2,500 to cover funeral costs, and $4,000 to support my siblings’ schooling and other immediate needs. I am committed to helping as much as I can with their education and daily needs, though I know I can never fill my father’s role as their provider. This $4,000 will help us bridge the gap, providing essential support as we adjust and work toward a stable future. Ensuring that each of my siblings has the chance to pursue higher education is incredibly important to me, as it is one of the few ways to build a better life in the Philippines.

This funeral is our only chance to come together as a family—many of us for the first time in years—to mourn, support one another, and say our final goodbyes. It’s not just for us, but for my father, who deserves to be laid to rest surrounded by those who loved him.

Any help you can give, no matter how small, will not only help us say goodbye to my father with dignity, but it will also bring much-needed relief to my stepmother and siblings as they try to navigate life without him. If, through generosity, we are blessed to meet or exceed this goal, those additional funds will continue to support my siblings' futures and education as they face this uncertain time.

From the depths of our hearts, we thank you for any support and kindness you can offer during this heart-wrenching time.

With the deepest, deepest gratitude,

Chad & family