Support Chris After Losing His Beloved Mom

On March 12, our dear friend Chris Mann suffered an unimaginable loss—the passing of his beloved mother, Herbetta "Herbie" Mann. For nearly 53 years, she was his best friend, his heart and soul, his greatest supporter, and, in recent years, his purpose. Chris devoted himself to being her full-time caregiver, ensuring she had the love and care she deserved, especially through her many health battles. Her resilience was remarkable—overcoming severe medical crises time and again, proving to be, as her doctors said, "a miracle." Her love for Chris and her daughter, Tisha, was boundless, and nothing brought her more joy than raising her children, and sharing her love with Tisha’s three kids, whom Herbie and Chris helped raise.

Herbie was a force of nature—her humor, warmth, and unwavering strength touched everyone who met her. She had a way of making people smile, whether it was through her high-pitched laugh or her spunky personality, which even had hospital staff in awe. Her life was filled with selfless acts, from standing up for her children against bullies to rescuing family members from difficult circumstances. She was the embodiment of love, strength, and sacrifice, always putting her family first.

Chris is now facing the heartbreaking challenge of navigating life without his mom while also dealing with the financial hardships that come with losing not only a loved one but also his source of income. As her full-time caregiver, his relatively modest earnings came from In-Home Support Services, which only paid for the days she was at home—leaving him with little to no income for the past several months. Chris also put his writing career on hold, in a very challenging market for freelance journalists and graphic designers, in order to care for his mom. His savings have been depleted covering medical expenses, rent, and bills, and he is now in urgent need of support to cover funeral costs, outstanding medical bills, and basic living expenses as he seeks new work opportunities.

Our goal is to raise $5,000 to help Chris get through this difficult transition. These funds will go toward funeral expenses, rent and utilities, overdue car payments so he can travel for work, and essential costs to help him stabilize. Any contribution, big or small, will make a tremendous difference in giving him the time and support he needs to heal and rebuild.

Chris has always given everything to care for his mom, and now it’s our turn to help him. If you’re able, please donate or share this fundraiser with others. Your kindness and generosity mean the world to him, and he is deeply grateful for any support you can provide. Thank you for helping honor Herbie’s legacy by standing with Chris in his time of need.