Support Sara and Jodee's Urgent Needs

Hi! My name is Sara Larson, and it is after a long couple of years that I have finally hit the bottom. I will admit defeat; I need help. My mom (Jodee) and I need help, and I am reaching out to you all for help because I don't know what to do anymore.

About five years ago now, we moved into the home we are in now. We knew when we moved in that it was a fixer-upper, but we got it at a steal of a price. We couldn't have predicted how the next few years would go with job upheaval and health issues.

The major hit came two years ago now. In July of '22, I was diagnosed with compartment syndrome in my left calf. A simple surgery and a month of work, it should have been a quick turn around. Only, the job I was working did not talk to me about my surgery in the weeks leading up to it, causing me to return to a previous job who would work with me. I had the surgery, took my month off, and returned to work. In October, my mother had a hip replacement and had to take a month off as well. We could already feel the financial hits building up.

Then, in December, after months of continual back pain, I was admitted to the ER and then the hospital after I couldn't get out of the wheelchair I used to get to an appointment. Two weeks and one back surgery later, I was given strict orders not to return to work for the next three months. It would be four months before I would return to work, this time at a new job, part-time instead of my previous full-time hours (though this current job has healed me in more ways than I can count).

It's been two years since the start of that journey and we still have not recovered financially. I'm getting a second job (substitute teaching), have returned to pursuing my MA, and am working a side gig at craft shows and farmer's markets when I can. My mother works a full-time job. We both have vehicle loans. I am refinancing mine to afford repairs on the vehicle. Her loan is difficult to manage, but her previous car was no longer street safe, and we got the best deal we could with what we had.

But I'm not asking for help for our vehicles or even medical bills (my insurance covered me, thankfully). No, we need help on bills, taxes, and most importantly, and urgently, a new furnace. Here's the breakdown:

With rounding involved to account for fees, I came up with $9,500. If we could achieve that, I would be beyond grateful. We just need a break. I'd love to see my mom cry from happiness and not from sadness. If you can spare $5, $10, or $20 to help us, I would be incredibly grateful.