This is my good friend Ulu. She's one of the best people I've ever met. Funny how some stranger who'd occasionally walk their dog past my place while I'd be smoking a cigarette on my porch could end up feeling like family. Her heart is so big; too big sometimes. Whether a neighbor needs something fixed, a friend needs a new car battery, or a random down and out stranger needs some sage advice, it's not unusual for Ulu to step in to lend a hand. As someone who's never had anyone in this world, she's no stranger to how lonely it can feel, especially in times of hardship. She makes it a point to do what she can, when she can.

Ulu's a single mother and her three little girls are all the family she's got, since leaving her abusive ex-husband. The weight of doing things on her own without time to take care of herself has been taking a toll. She's missed a lot of work due to health issues in the past 2 years. I don't know how she's managed to keep making ends meet. She's had three heart attacks in the past week and those kids have got nowhere else to go. Ulu can barely stand for more than a couple of minutes or make it out to the parking lot without having to take a break to catch her breath now. God knows I'd help her if I could, but as a disabled army veteran on a fixed income with a family of my own, including 3 great grandchildren, there's little I can do.

So here I am, asking, praying for you all to find it in your hearts to help her cover the basics, so she can have some peace and time to recover without being in danger of losing her girls and the humble 2 bedroom apartment she rents. Cost of living in Hawaii is one of the highest in the nation, which doesn't help matters, but as a native Hawaiian, Ulu's determined to heal their family's generational trauma by sending her kids to Hawaiian Immersion Schools, so they can know their language and culture. They can't do that anywhere else. $75k would help cover the rent, utilities, car payment, vehicle maintenance, insurance, gas, household goods, medical insurance, co-pays, prescriptions, and food for about a year, as well as the platform fees. Is there anything you can spare to help a struggling mama and her little family through some hard times? Please, help. If you can't afford to donate, can you share this? I'd appreciate it.

Thank you.