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.

For the three weeks following his death, Lauren was unable 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 and quickly depleted the little remaining. Then, on Mon., 5/12, she and many others in her company were immediately laid off and with no severance pay. Her financial situation, already very concerning, is now really dire, as she is at risk for being homeless If she cannot pay her rent.

This GoFundMe is to try to address her financial, medical, and emotional/mental health needs during this time of crisis. She has multiple regular and some urgent expenses such as rent, utilities, food, urgent medical and dental care needs, urgent vehicle repairs, prescription medications, etc. for which these donations will be used. Many of these she had to put off while caring for Chuck to divert resources to help him. In addition to all of these, she desperately needs to see a trauma therapist/counselor, and it will need to be at no cost due to her serious financial situation. We are exploring local resources that may help in the future, but she has 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 to reduce the time it takes to transfer to her (this is critically important when things like rent are due), please reach out to her or to me. Gift cards to Walmart or Ingles (a local grocery store) are also appreciated. Even if you are unable to assist her financially, please include Lauren in your prayers as well as Chuck's family and friends. He was loved. We need to show Lauren that we love her 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 be the hands and feet of Jesus today!

Thank you,

Elaine Turk Nell

FPD Class of ‘95