I’m Cherie Dawson. I live in Freeport Fl. I moved here from Atlanta 2 years ago. Last week as I was driving home from Publix, I saw a mom with her 21yr old son pushing an umbrella stroller with her 2yr old son and all of their groceries attached to the handles of the stroller. There was no side walk, only sand and weeds. It was a cloudy day with rain in the forecast. Well, if you know me, you know that I stopped and gave them a ride. I took them home to a trailer park just a quarter mile past the entrance to my neighborhood. Along the way, she shared that she has 14 and 16 and 18year old sons also. The 21 yr old was visiting from Texas and trying to help her.

I was not able to go to sleep that night as I pondered how to help her. She lives 4.5 miles from the grocery store and no car. Two days later, I went over to her home, gave her my phone number and insisted that she call me when she needed a ride. Another two days passed when her number popped up in my messages. She asked if I could give her a ride to DeFuniak Springs for a meeting for some assistance with housing. That is where she previously lived and still works at a nursing home. Of course, I took her. I learned a lot on that 30min drive. Her husband was shot by two of her nephews and later died. It was a July 4th celebration with family. An argument began. Her husband of 15 years tried to step in and break it up. He was shot in the abdomen. Her then 14, 12 and 10 yr old witnessed it happening. She threw them all in the back seat and headed to the hospital, telling them to not let him close his eyes or go to sleep. They were in a small Alabama ER that was not equipped to handle the trauma. He later died enroute to a trauma center. He was a self employed carpenter so their livelihood has slowly spiraled down. I have been giving her a ride to work and picking her up. She only works every other week when the 2 yr olds daddy keeps him for her to work night shift. I’m praying for one of God’s way makers to help get her a car. We found one for $8000 and put down $2000 that she had saved.

I am at a junction in this journey, where I cannot fix it myself. I would like to reach out to some organization if I knew one to tap into for help. I am putting this out there, in case there are any of you who would like to be the hands and feet and oh yes the wheels for Jesus. Y’all, my heart is in a perpetual broken state. Two different people have sent me messages today, unaware of this situation, telling me to be still and let God. So this is my attempt at being still. Truly, if I had the money, I would go tomorrow, buy her a car and give it to her. My dear friends and family, please lift her up in your prayers. I know some of you are probably thinking that this is a scam. But I have verified her story with the news articles. Her husband‘s name is Julio Mercado. The murder took place in a small town in Alabama. Google It yourself then I pray that if you can share the story with anyone who is able to make a difference in her life, please do. I pray that you will find it in your heart to contribute to help her create a livelihood for her family.