Support Lauren through a tragedy and crisis

On Mon. morning, April 21, 2025, my long-time friend & FPD classmate Lauren Falls Lance awoke to a nightmare. Our friend and classmate, Chuck, had passed away during the night. It is believed he died by suicide. He'd been staying in her home as a friend for about 2 1/2 years because he had nowhere else to go while he battled mental illness and substance abuse. During that time, she did everything she could to help him. She tried desperately to get him help. He tried, but could not, hold down a job to contribute to household expenses. Since his death, Lauren has not been able to work due to the extreme grief and trauma of his last weekend alive and then finding him gone. She'd already used up most of her PTO helping Chuck on his really bad days. She has no PTO remaining now, and her employer does not offer bereavement coverage for the death of non-family members. Her financial situation was already very tight. It is now dire. I'm starting this GoFundMe to try to address her financial and emotional/mental health needs in an effort to support her during this crisis. She has multiple regular expenses (rent, utilities, food, home & urgent vehicle repairs, her own medical & dental care needs, prescription medication, prescription glasses, etc.), and many of these she had to put off while caring for Chuck to divert resources to help him. Now, in addition to all of these, she desperately needs to see a trauma therapist/counselor as soon as possible. I'm exploring local resources that may help in the future, but she has some urgent needs right now, and because she lives in a small mountain town, there unfortunately are not many resources to even be found. So far, the ones that are there do not currently have funds available. If you are able to help Lauren at all financially, please do so. No amount is too small and would be so very much appreciated. If you'd prefer to give to her directly or to pay one of her bills directly instead of going through GoFundMe, please reach out to me. Gift cards to Walmart or Ingles (local grocery store) are also appreciated. At the very least, please include Lauren in your prayers as well as Chuck's family and friends. He was loved. We need to show love to Lauren too, especially right now.

Jesus calls us to bear one another's burdens and to care for one another (Galatians 6:2-5). Let's been the hands and feet of Jesus today!

Thank you,

Elaine Turk Nell