On Thanksgiving, our family’s world changed forever. My dad was rushed into emergency surgery, and the following day he was intubated and admitted to the ICU. For eight long days, he fought a severe infection with all the strength he had, but on December 6th, his body could no longer keep up. My mom is now a widow, living in a modest home with my handicapped adult sister, facing a future that feels uncertain and overwhelming.

While their home is affordable, my dad had taken out several loans for essential improvements like HVAC and gutters—expenses that are now out of reach for my mom on her own. She will also be losing my dad’s monthly VA disability and her own Social Security payments once she transitions to survivor benefits, leaving her with a significant monthly deficit. The financial strain comes at a time when she is grieving and trying to support my sister, making it even harder to see a way forward.

Poppy, as we lovingly called my dad, was stubborn and never one to ask for help, but I know he wouldn’t want my mom to be in this position. Any support you can offer would mean the world to her and to our family. Your generosity will help pay off the home improvement loans and cover living expenses while my mom finds her footing. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for considering a gift to help ensure her financial security and give her some peace during this incredibly difficult time.