Hi. I am writing to you to ask for your kind and generous assistance in supporting a family during a very difficult time.

The Gorgas family consists of Susan and Rob and their two daughters, 11 and 14. Susan is 43-years-old and suffers from Dysautonomia, which is an autonomic failure similar to postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). This condition is an autonomic disease that can affect the functioning of the heart, bladder, intestines, sweat glands, pupils, and blood vessels. On a practical, day-to-day basis, this means she gets exhausted and needs a wheelchair much of the time. She also suffers from clinical depression called treatment-resistant depression. For a while, her husband was also laid off. The illness, the medical bills, and his layoff were a deadly combination financially. Rob recently found work, but this past year has been exceptionally difficult. They currently owe $10,000 in medical expenses.

Their two greatest worries are the foreclosure notice they recently received and the fact that Susan needs a car to get back and forth to work. Yes, even though she struggles with her health, she has a job as an aide at a local high school. They were a two-car family, but when Susan was away getting treatment, Rob sold her car so they could afford the mortgage payments. And then, his car broke down and was beyond repair. Now she's back and working, but there is no car. Rob has a company car, but it’s forbidden to use it for personal use. So, Susan has had to use Uber, which is a ridiculous expense for a family already struggling.

This is how good people become homeless---when illness and layoffs collide. Most American families don't have enough saved up to get through a series of calamities like this. It's a devastating situation. They’re both working. They’re doing everything they can, and it’s not enough to catch them up. They can’t find a way out.

In addition to all the above, things have started to malfunction in their home. Their hot water heater had broken. They found a way to replace that, but they couldn’t afford to fix the damage, and so their home is currently a “sad concrete pit.” In addition, the toilet is broken and other appliances are on the verge of breaking.

Please, let's help this family with a good car and help them get caught up on their mortgage payments. Ideally, the car would be big enough for a family of four and also have room for her wheelchair. Ideally, there would be money left to fix appliances.

If there is anything you could do to ease some of the pressure on this family, they would be incredibly grateful. Susan says, “We have suddenly become the people we used to help during the holidays.” It’s now our turn to help them.