Release of Vina's Remains
UPDATE:
WE HAVE REACHED THE GOAL OF $1008!
THANK YOU~THANK YOU~THANK YOU
IF YOU WOULD STILL LIKE TO HELP, PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR "WISH LIST " ITEMS.
VERY SIMPLY ~
1) A CELEBRATION OF VINA'S LIFE IN THE AREA OF SAN FRANSISCO THAT SHE LIVED.
2) A CELEBRATION OF VINA'S LIFE IN THE ROGUE VALLEY, WHERE SHE GREW UP
3) THREE ENGRAVED MEMORIAL RIVER ROCKS (OR SOMETHING OF THAT NATURE) FOR VINA'S THREE GROWN CHILDREN, MICHAEL-34, ARIANA-31, AND ASHLEY-29.
My name is Gina, and I am raising money to help retrieve the cremated remains of my childhood friend, Vina LaVonne Villegas-Farrell, from the Medical Examiners office in San Franscisco, for her children. This costs $1008.
Recently, her family and I became aware that Vina had passed. Unfortunately, more than a month had elapsed (she passed in July,) and her remains have beeen cremated and are in storage. One of Vina's daughter's contacted the ME's office and was provided with the details of their mother's death, as well as what it takes to retrieve the remains.
Vina passed away this summer in San Fransisco, where she had survived, homeless, for more than a decade.
Vina was born in Torrance, CA on March 23rd, 1965. She lived as a small child at "The Adobe" in Santa Barbara, and then with her father on "The Greensprings," outside of Ashland, OR until she left home at 15 or 16. 
By the time she was 21, she had three kids, and an abusive husband. She left her family, and traveled a very hard road, from there, landing in the Portland, OR area, and then eventually in SF. 
She lived in a loose colony of homeless folks in SF, she could be found panhandling in her wheelchair to make ends meet. She was never able to get public assistance, as she had unresolved legal isssues, but not for a lack of trying.
One Thousand Eight Dollars. It doesn't sound like much unless you don't have it. Her children could pay over time, and wait, or we can all pitch in and help these (grown) kids out. We'd like to make this happen by the end of the year, but the important thing is that her remains not be abandoned, that we show those that loved her, that she is important enough to make this effort. It's the least any of us can do really.
This is about dignity and closure. We all make choices, but we're also human and deserve to be respected as such. Vina lived a very tragic life. She deserves the respect of being claimed. Please help Vina's family bring her home. I for one, will be forever grateful.
Donations of any amount are very much appreciated. A heartfelt thank you.
