Hi guys, my name is Maya and I'm creating this fundraiser for a friend and personal hero of mine, Daniela Giaratano (aka "Ella").

When a Rescuer Needs Some Rescuing

Mr. Rogers famously said, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'”

For as long as I’ve known her, Daniela has always been one of those helpers and tremendously involved in the world of animal rescue. I’ve been deeply inspired watching her fight every single day (year after year) for these innocent lives. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that she's often helped restore my faith in humanity.

Daniela was always a helper, but she took it to another level when she decided to start her own small non-profit dog rescue in 2018. It was basically a one-woman operation (running on donations she would receive here and there). She single-handedly saved nearly 300 dogs from some of the worst situations imaginable and re-homed them into loving families. I regularly called her “superwoman” because somehow - day or night - she was always there for an animal or human in need.

I pleaded with Daniela to let me create this fundraiser. There are just some people that truly deserve to receive some assistance from the community they have quietly and steadily served for so long. Daniela is incredibly strong and humble, so most people would never know that her rescue work often came at a tremendous personal sacrifice. At times she even risked her own health and safety.

At the same time, Daniela has been coping with a slew of intense life stressors that have left her feeling hopeless and financially desperate. In the past few years, she has supported both of her parents through cancer diagnoses and gave whatever she had to those around her. Her own security seemed to always be her last thought.

Now, she's facing new and overwhelming challenges and needs our community's support now, more than ever. Over the past few years, Ella has endured:

- The devastating loss of her father, followed by supporting her mother through cancer treatment

- A serious car accident that left her unable to work for 6 months while requiring therapy and surgery

- Substantial medical debt from recent health crises, including seizures and emergency care

- Over $13,000 in credit card debt accumulated through her rescue efforts. She always provided necessary medical care for animals in need.

-Unexpectedly high housing costs and utility bills that doubled during winter months

Despite working full-time whenever possible, these consecutive hardships have created a financial burden that's become impossible to manage alone. Recently, Daniela had to leave her home because she could no longer afford the rent and is temporarily staying with family while trying to find affordable housing.

How Your Donation Will Help

Your contribution will directly help Ella:

- Address urgent medical bills totaling over $5,500 not covered by insurance

- Pay down debt that accumulated during periods of medical leave

- Secure affordable housing where she and her two rescue dogs can rebuild stability

- Cover basic necessities while she works to regain financial footing

Every Contribution Matters

Whether you can give $5 or $500, each donation will help show Ella she’s not alone and bring her closer to stability. Those who know Ella understand her incredible heart. Even while struggling financially, she opened her home to countless rescue dogs - at one point caring for a mother dog with 8 puppies plus 5 other rescues simultaneously. She's ALWAYS put the needs of others first - her parents during their illnesses, animals without homes, and friends in need. Now it's our turn to show up for her. Please help me give back to this incredible giver and show her that her community recognizes her profound worth. If you can't donate, sharing this fundraiser helps tremendously.

With gratitude,

Maya Klauber