Dear Friends,

As many of you know, my dear sister Joanie's beloved high school sweetheart husband David passed away last week. Cancer overtook this charismatic and vibrant husband, father, brother, and friend ~ so quickly, there was barely time for the family to prepare before he was gone.

David was the primary household breadwinner, and could not work the last few weeks of his life. Joanie was recently laid off from work, and, of course, spent David's final weeks by his side. Like many of us, their wages funded their daily lives without much left over for extras or savings.

Joanie is now the single parent of their two beautiful children: son Haven, who is 15, and daughter Jamie, who is grown and on her own.

While they mourn and try to regroup, Joanie is looking for a new job and juggling finances, and waiting for the paperwork to clear in order to access David's insurance.

In the meantime, there are new expenses in addition to the regular bills, and very few funds to bridge the gap.

Many of you have asked how you might help, and this is the family's most pressing need at the moment.

Thank you so much for your love and support. We never truly know how difficult this situation can be until we have lived it.