Jimmy  Darts

SB Mowing

Pattie Gonia

Little Miss Flint

Kalina Silverman / @makebigtalk on Instagram

The Dogist

Samuel Weidenhofer

Patriotic Kenny Foundation

Peter Bond

That Good News Girl

Ben Saunders - Flawless Cleaning

Flavor Flav

Ask Uncle Jack

Amy Jandrisevits

FowlMouthFarmer

Tess Bohne

Latonja and Taylor Richardson

Officer Richard Craig

John Wolfe

Khloe

<div><em>smoke and mold </em>publishes writing by trans, nonbinary, and Two-Spirit authors that challenges colonial narratives of place, the environment, and humanity's place within it. Launched in 2019, we publish small, carefully edited, online-only issues twice a year. We have frequently been the first publication for many of our writers, and hope to continue this trend.
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<div><em>smoke and mold</em> has been largely funded out of pocket by editors. In 2023, we received our first grant from the Oregon-based Regional Arts &amp; Culture Council, to help us produce our physical <a href="https://www.smokeandmold.net/artifacts" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">artifacts series</a>. Our team has grown from a one-person operation to a group of nine editors and readers, and we continue to rely on reader support to pay webhosting and contributor fees. Every little bit helps!
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<div>We are a publication with an expiration date: the journal will cease publishing in 2031 —the amount of time allotted by the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for humans to be able to reduce carbon emissions in a way that would meaningfully impact climate change. Given these unique restrictions and opportunities, we are asking for community support to help us see this mission through and continue publishing work that centers trans and Two-Spirit voices on place, the enviromnment, and humanity's changing role within it. For more on what we stand for, check out our <a href="https://www.smokeandmold.net/about" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">editorial statement</a>.
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<div><strong>Goal: $6,000</strong>
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<div>Here are a few specific things that funds from this ongoing fundraiser will go toward:
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<li>Contributor compensation at $100 flat fee per author
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<li>Commissioning artists and animators to create original work attached to our issues
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<li>Pay for web hosting
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<li>$200 stipend per issue worked on for each assistant editor
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<div><strong>Stretch Goal: $8,000</strong>
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<div>If this fundraiser exceeds what we’re asking before our expiration date, all excess funds will go toward:
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<li>Paid editorial fellowship for trans and nonbinary editors interested in getting experience in publishing and literary magazines
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<li>Producing audio content to accompany each issue (audio versions of selected work, interviews, etc.)
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<div>When <em>smoke and mold</em>  reaches its end in 2031, we want to leave behind a legacy of literary community that will spread and change the character of publishing. We’re hoping for mycelial network, not ladder. By donating to this fundraiser, you are making a critical contribution to the realization of this goal!
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<div>Thank you for reading, for donating, for sharing, and for keeping the dream of this journal alive. Your support means the world to us, and we look forward to bringing you more stellar issues in the coming years.
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<div>In solidarity,
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<div>Cal Angus, Managing Editor of smoke and mold
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Support smoke and mold, a trans-run journal

<div>Hey everyone I’m trying to raise money to ship my art studio supplies equipment and sculptures (along with a work in progress) from PA to Portland, OR, where I now live.
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<div>I will be attending PNCA in September on a full scholarship to get my MFA !! I am very excited for this opportunity to go back to school!! However, I need my art and supplies (including the art in progress that I want to use for my thesis), before school starts, in order to do it successfully.
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<div>I didn’t realize it would cost so much to get my art and supplies to me but as you know, gas prices are ridiculous! I did the math and the research which made me realize that, on my own, it would cost me over $4,000 and about 2 weeks of driving, to rent a truck, van or trailer to get my stuff to me. If I can pay to have it shipped it would cost me significantly less, at about $3,000, and it would get to me much faster.
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<div>Unfortunately, I cannot afford this. So!! As a last resort one of my friends suggested that I, ask for assistance in getting my art and supplies to me by raising some on GoFundMe. So I decided to give it a try! (())
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<div>Please help me by donating whatever amount of you can to my campaign.
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<div>Please share with any others you may know who would be willing and able to help me reach this goal. ❤️
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Help Black Queer Artist Bring Life To A Legacy!

<div>Hi there! My name is Katherine D. Morgan. I’m a writer and bookseller living in Portland, Oregon with my lovable and incredibly chatty cat, Ramona. I’m sure that if you’ve ever watched a video where the two of us were together, you have heard her screaming in the background.
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<div>I first fell in love with romance in high school, where I encountered the incredibly popular romance series, Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. Back then, I wasn’t reading stories about Black teenage girls falling in love because those books simply weren’t available to me at the time. Over the years, I fell out of love with the genre because I didn’t believe that someone like me was worthy of a meet-cute or, better yet, a grand gesture (keep reading on for the full circle moment).
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<div>It wasn’t until 2019 that I happened to stumble upon a “Best Black Romances” list and came across Jasmine Guillory’s The Wedding Date. I checked out a used copy from Powell’s, came home, sat down, and read the book cover to cover in one sitting. I laughed, I happily sighed, I yelled when the two characters miscommunicated with one another. After that, I picked up The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang, and it was game over. I was officially hooked.
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<div>After getting the chance to run the romance section at Powell’s City of Books—a section that I have continued to grow, bringing all types of books and handselling them to the best of my ability—I thought to myself, “I wish that the Pacific Northwest had a romance bookstore.” Stores were popping up all over the country, and I wanted to visit the Ripped Bodice and Meet Cute in California so badly, but traveling by plane can be expensive. I noticed that when it came to the PNW, we kept getting skipped by bigger authors, and there wasn’t a designated place for authors and the romance community to come together and discuss their love of, well, love. I sat with that idea, and only after my friends Nikki and Melissa told me that I should open a romance bookstore did I go “Wait, maybe I can be the one to do this.” Thus, in November 2023, Grand Gesture Books LLC was born (see? There’s the “grand gesture” comment from above! It all makes sense now!).
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<div>While I can’t take full credit for the name (I have to give my boyfriend and Diane Keaton’s wonderful Book Club props; if you haven’t seen it, download it immediately and watch it on a plane), I can take credit for what I’ve done in the past 7 months: We’ve hosted several successful events and have worked some great pop-ups with some more on the way. We have been interviewed by wonderful outlets, and even appeared on the cover for the Valentine’s Day issue of the Willamette Week “24 Reasons to Love Portland”. I have created and run three successful book clubs within the store. I created merch for it, and while, of course, it hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows, hearing that my presence has made someone feel less alone, especially in a genre that is still predominantly cisgendered, white, and able-bodied has made it all worth it. I am grateful for all that I’ve done but I want to go even further.
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<div>For the past 7 months, Grand Gesture has been an online-only store, and I want to change that. I want to bring people (authors, readers, and people that are new to the genre) together in a physical space. I’ve been working with my broker for almost the entire time that this store has been around, and we found a lovely space. I hate asking for help when the world is the way that it is, but I want this space and I would never forgive myself if I didn’t at least try to go for what I want. So that’s why I’m hoping that you’ll support me in this endeavor.
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<div>Romance has become my life, and even if it isn’t yours, I hope that you’ll consider supporting my dream anyway because you believe that no matter who you are, there’s a great love out there waiting for you. I do want to highlight that yes, Grand Gesture will focus on romance and happily-ever-afters, but I will also highlight platonic and self-love too. My friends are some of the greatest people that I know and they have loved me in all stages of my life. Self-love is a little harder, but I am growing as a person and I am proud of that. As a mentally ill Black woman in Portland, I am proud of the work that I’ve accomplished and even more excited about my future. People say that Portland is dead or dying, and I want to say that the city isn’t even close to doing that. We’re coming back better than ever, and I want my store to be a factor in that.
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<div>I have so many big and beautiful plans for this store. I have requested that the landlord make it ADA accessible because I can’t tell someone that they deserve a HEA if they can’t make it safely in and out of the building. I want to host small community events, author events, and the like. I want a space to host my book clubs and I want a cozy and romantic place for all to feel welcome. We don’t discriminate here at Grand Gesture Books.
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<div>Now, the biggest question: why $100K?
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<div>I know, I know, it’s a lot of money but here’s the breakdown for it (for the square footage, I am using the numbers of the place that I visited and put a letter of intent on):
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<div>-Your girl is going to need some help with securing inventory for the store because as we know, books aren’t cheap! $50 per square foot of selling space x 1439sq (1200 would be the front room, I believe, maybe a little less) would equal $60,000 to $71,950 for those costs. 
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<div>-POS, camera, alarms, signage, a sound system, publicity and promotion, utility costs, and professional fees like permits and licenses would equal around $15,000.
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<div>-Merch items, such as t-shirts, hats, candles, all of the sideline stuff that could ever dream of would equal around $5000.
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<div>-The space is 1,439 sq ft. plus the NNN (the rent is $1,678 and the NNN would be $700, so $2,378). For the security deposit and a first month’s rent, it would be $4,858. I’d love to add one more month on rent so it equals $7236. My goal is to open in September 2024.
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<div>-For furniture, shelving, lighting, and rugs, I’m setting aside $18,000.
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<div>All that adds up to $105,236, which is very much a stretch goal, but I’m hoping to get close to $100K. If I somehow reach/pass that goal, I will gleefully scream and be so excited. Anything that you’re willing to donate would mean the world to me. Truly. I hope that you’ll consider supporting one of the very few Black woman-owned businesses in Portland and one of only three Black-owned romance businesses in this country. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out!
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<div>With much love,
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<div>Katherine and Ramona
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Bring a Grand Gesture Books storefront to Portland, Oregon!

<div>Rose is a 24 year old, transmasc person of color currently living in Portland, OR.

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<div>After waiting over a year since they started the process, they finally received a date to undergo top surgery the first week of June. While it is exciting that they are now one step closer to achieving their gender affirming goals, they had expected to get more notice and time to prepare.

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<div>Rose works as a seasonal kayak instructor and had expected to continue working in that field but will not be able to for the entire season due to their healing requirements. Because the date is much more sudden than anticipated they are seeking community support to help financially prepare them for this process and ensure they stay housed during their recovery period and search for alternative employment.

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<div>If you have been blessed to know Rose personally, you would quickly learn that their love is often shown through action (being airport ride dad, offering moving help, opening up their home, baking/making beautiful food, and bad puns). Their presence has been so cherished and pivotal to so many, and it is so exciting to get the chance to reciprocate some of the love and care that they have given.

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<div>The majority of funds will be used to provide housing security. If we are able to reach our goal, a portion of funds will be used to support their primary caretaker who will be flying in and taking time off work to provide a safe recovery for Rose.

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<div>(edit: if venmo is preferable please send to @rosehanil)

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Breast in Peace Rose's Chest

<div>With heavy heart, it saddens me to share that we lost a beautiful soul and bright light that is Brianna Spencer. Anyone that knows her, loved B for her sense of humor, kindness and generosity. She brought so much joy to others just with her presence alone. And you can't forget about that great smile.
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<div>As an artist, she shared her heart and instilled her personality into everything she created. Her art was personal and it always left us in awe of how willing she was to share a piece of her heart with us. She gave us glimpses into her daily life and above all, with the people she loved the most, George and Ene. She was the best mama and there are no words to describe how much she loved the both of them. 
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<div>With her passing, George and Ene will need time to adjust and with time away from work and some legal fees, they could use some financial support over the next handful of months. 
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<div>Thank you to all the friends, family and community that have rallied behind this family. They feel the warmth and love and know that Brianna is in a good place and is finally at peace. 
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In Memory of Brianna Spencer

<div>Let’s support Leah Miller as she undergoes treatment for brain cancer.
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<div>To know Leah is to love her, and to feel her love. You’ve felt it if you’ve spent an hour with her at the river, or walking dogs, or laughing over a cup of coffee. You’ve felt it if you’ve bitten into a slice of one of her legendary birthday cakes, or opened a jar of her pickled beans, or poured a bit of her homemade marinara over pasta six months after she harvested the tomatoes-- a burst of summer on a dreary day. That’s Leah. Even if you don’t know her well, if you’ve lived in Portland in the last fifteen-ish years you have almost certainly felt it through her incredible baked goods at spots like Sweedeedee, Red Sauce Pizza, Harlow, and Lauretta Jeans among many more. She has nourished us for years, and now it’s time to love on Leah.
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<div>On August 4th Leah experienced a seizure at work- the first of her life- and was rushed to the emergency room. An MRI showed a tumor in her brain which was later determined to be an astrocytoma, grade 4. She was hospitalized in the neuro-ICU and received a craniotomy on August 9th, and has been recovering at home since the 12th of August. Now it is time for the next phase of treatment to begin- six weeks of daily chemoradiation, followed by a year of chemotherapy.
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<div>Leah is facing this with the strength, humor and fortitude that you would expect if you’ve spent even five minutes in her company but she’s looking at a long, hard road. She has an incredible support system through her partner, family and friends, but the financial burden is substantial. It is really, really stressful. Funds received through this page will go toward the medical expenses that have upended Leah’s life, as well as insurance and living expenses. We hope there will be some remaining funds to provide moments of comfort and fun, so Leah doesn’t feel completely trapped by this diagnosis.
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<div>If you know Leah she’d love to hear from you-- pet photos, tv recommendations and hot goss are welcome- but she would prefer not to field questions about the details of her treatment and prognosis. You can get updates on her progress by subscribing to her CaringBridge page.
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<div>Leah shows up for loved ones and strangers alike. Let’s show up for her. Please give what you can, and share this page widely. Thank you so much.
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Support Leah as she battles brain cancer

<div>Hi everyone,
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<div>My name is Dee(aka Dylan) and I'm an indigenous trans woman, artist, community harmonizer, and I guess to some kind of a mom or auntie at this point. Many of you, I'm sure, already know who I am. I'm here asking for support, and exposing my personal life in a way I really didn't think I ever would. 
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<div>In November of 2021, I had gender-affirming surgery in eastern Washington, which was a large journey in and of itself. I ended up having repeated complications from this and never healed correctly. I've spent the time since fighting for my surgeon's office, and then the insurance company to take me seriously. I finally got them to agree that things weren't right, and approve my revision surgery late last year. 
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<div>Unfortunately, even though insurance covers the surgery itself and the hotel stay, it doesn't cover <em>any</em> of the follow-on expenses beyond that. I know from past experience that nothing they claim to reimburse in theory ever will be, no matter how much i fight. We need to drive to and from Spokane, and stay in a hotel for a full week. As such i'm raising funds for:
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<li>Unpaid time off work, including recovery time as one of my jobs is construction/trade work and I won't be able to do anything that physical for around a month after surgery. Additionally, my other job doesn't allow me to work remotely. As such, I need to raise a full month's rent and bills.
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<li>Unpaid time off for my caretaker, as someone is required to drive me to/from the hospital and stay with me in Spokane. She's missing a full week of work, and possibly potential shifts before/after depending on how her work schedule is laid out
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<li>Food, gas, incidental expenses of staying in a hotel room with no kitchen for a week for the two of us
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<li>Groceries and other supplies while i'm recovering at home post-surgery, especially things that are low prep/easy to deal with while i have limited strength to be cooking and cleaning up after myself
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<li>Some moderate repairs to the car we're taking, which isn't quite in condition to make a 6+ hour drive both ways through the passes after having some issues recently.
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<li>A bit extra after the medium worst case of all that for GFM fees, etc
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<div>I've spent the past couple of months planning this out, and thought I had it under control and could eat the costs of this just barely. But things have piled up in such a way that it's just not financially feasible without assistance from the community. 
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<div>Having gone through this before the first time traveling across the state for surgery, the journey, stay, and recovery process is really monumental and ended up being a lot more financially destructive than me or anyone carrying me through it expected. 
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<div>I appreciate the help anyone can provide me, and any funds that aren't used up by this whole surgery/recovery journey will be redistributed to the community
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<div>LOVE U ALL &lt;3
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<div>-DEE
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Dee's Surgery Fund

<div>Hello, I am Draia Shelton and I am a Varsity Cheerleader at Parkrose High School. I have been afforded so many amazing opportunities this year, becoming Rose Festival Princess,being apart of  National Honor Society, and winning the The Pin It Forward award at camp. This is my 4th year being apart of the cheer team- and as one of the captains, I have recently won the All-Star cheer team- All-American. In December myself and several other cheerleaders throughout the US will be heading to London to perform in the New Year’s day Parade along with many other awesome activities.  I am honored and thrilled to be rewarded for my hard work as an athlete. This trip will be expensive and I need the financial support of my community to ensure that I can attend this trip financially  covered. I recognize this is short notice but if you could please donate by December 1st that would be such a blessing. This would be a great send off for my Senior Year at Parkrose High School. 


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<div>Thank you. 



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All-American London Trip

<div>Hi y'all,
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<div>As most of you know, I was accepted into a poetry residency I've been applying to for several years: the Vermont Studio Center. Unfortunately, I applied for but wasn't awarded a fellowship, which means the three-week residency cost is $4,250 (!!!!).
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<div>Obviously, this is an institutionally prohibitive cost, and I was actively making peace with having to turn it down and re-apply to a new jury next year (they only offer seven fellowships at a time). As a way to process my feelings, I made a little post about it on Facebook and was immediately flooded with comments and messages from y'all offering to support me in this. Because the cost is so wild (x3 the cost of my entire monthly rent), and because so many of you offered support this past winter when my partner and I were thrown into an emergency housing situation, I felt totally uncomfortable allowing myself to accept your support in this way. However, a few of my dear ones have given me some pep talks about letting people choose for themselves where they place their support and generosity, normalizing asking for help, and practicing being able to receive what I ask the universe for when I, for example, fill out an application in the first place. And I can't argue with those points because they're the kind of points I would make if *you* needed support. So here we are. 
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<div>Full transparency: I added a little bit to the end goal amount to bite some of the deduction of the GFM fees (these platforms are ruthless).
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<div>Many of you know I have a chapbook coming out this fall and have been working on a full-length body of work for a while. Residencies are so important for the project process, and your belief in my work is tangible right now. This particular residency isn't one I have ever imagined I could attend without a fellowship. 
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<div>Thank you for believing in whatever the heck I'm doing with my life.
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<div>Love forever, in all ways, always,
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<div>A
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Help this queer dandelion seed go fancy places

You are supporting the efforts to protect some the world’s last ancient rainforests! Thank you!<br /><br />This is a volunteer driven, grassroots, direct-action movement to protect the last remaining ancient temperate rainforests on Vancouver Island. We’re committed to keeping our eyes on as many stands of intact old growth as we can, to challenge the outdated and irresponsible forestry practices that must be immediately changed and to halt the destruction of these globally important forests.<br /><br />We’re currently supporting efforts on unceded Pacheedaht territory, holding down blockade positions on logging roads where there is active road building or that access approved and impending clearcuts.<br /><br />One camp leads into the unlogged Fairy Creek watershed, the last intact watershed in the San Juan river system, others are in surrounding areas where road building and clearcutting of ancient rainforest is quickly pushing ahead. <br /><br />We call for an immediate moratorium on ALL destruction of old growth forests now and forever and for a viable transition to an ecologically and economically responsible forest economy.   <br /><br /><br /><strong>Old-Growth forests are almost gone! </strong><br /><br />Due to decades of British Columbia government policies along with logging companies’ unwillingness to alter their practices of irresponsible clearcut logging, old-growth forests including the extreme biodiversity that they house, face near-total eradication. These forest ecosystems hold stands of trees that are 100’s of years old and they CAN NOT regenerate. <br /><br />EVERY DAY, on Vancouver Island alone, 32 soccer fields (~ 85 acres) of old-growth temperate rainforest – representing the last 1% of these rare, irreplaceable and internationally significant forests – are logged.<br /><br />In a downward spiraling climate and biodiversity crisis, which threatens the future of all life on Earth, this situation calls for widespread and immediate change. <br /><br /><strong>We are organized by 100% volunteer labor and spontaneous, community-driven mobilization</strong><br /><br />We seek mutually respectful alliances between Indigenous and non-Indigenous forest defenders to protect lands which have never been ceded or surrendered. Sovereign Nations have stewarded this land since time immemorial but much of this land has been destroyed by generations of colonial/capitalist resource exploitation and abuse.<br /><br /><strong>Your help is needed!</strong><br /><br />While camps and blockades are currently operating as enclosed units, locked down in accordance with COVID-19 protocols, these folks need support and will be welcoming tourists and visitors again when it is safe to do so.<br /><br />In addition to this GoFundMe, donations of material objects are welcomed, there is running list of needs at hand - send us a message if you feel like helping in that way. <br /><br />Every contribution helps to ensure our frontline forest defenders are looked after. Donations are directed towards a wide range of uses including outfitting camps with accommodations to stay warm and dry and with supplies to stay safe and able to communicate with the outside world, for transportation, and for various other initiatives such as promotional material.<br /><br /><strong>With your support, we have and will continue to build on:</strong><br /><br /><em>Base Camp - </em><br /><br />Maintaining a safe base camp that can act as a visitors’ centre when it is safe to travel again. Base camp operates under a strict COVID-19 safety plan and has:<br /><br />- a furnished elder’s tent, to support visits from First Nations elders (when it is safe to do so)<br />- state of the art satellite communications technology that enable activists to be safe and to information to media and supporters in real time<br /> <br /><em>Eyes on the old growth - </em><br /><br />We’re able to maintain active tabs on as many impending clearcuts and road building projects as we can manage. Using real time satellite imagery and by accessing publicly available resources we’re keeping our eyes on the old growth. We actively encourage that forestry work happen only outside of ancient forest ecosystems in areas where 2nd or 3rd growth timber can be harvested.<br /><br /><em> Additional camps - </em><br /><br />We’re able to mobilize safely and quickly in order to put an immediate halt to active destruction of old growth. <br /><br /><em>Also - </em><br /><br />We have a legal team to challenge a potential court injunction that would have forest protectors arrested. With your donations we’re actively building a legal fund that we hope to never use. If we succeed in halting these outdated practices we will pass our legal fund on to another worthy cause. <br /><br />We're also planning for the future, our goal with this fundraiser is to not only maintain monthly operations but also to ensure we can continue and expand. <br /><br /><strong>Budget:<br /><br /></strong>Your donations are being managed with a high degree of fiscal responsibility. We keep a few months of operating costs set aside in the event that they are needed and we're now putting aside 70% of all donations towards a legal defense fund, just in case it is needed.<br /><br /><strong>Chronology of Events - the 1st month (expanded chronology is in each update)</strong><br /><br /> - August 1: Discovery of Stone Pacific (subcontractor to Teal Jones) road construction cresting the ridge into the unlogged Fairy Creek watershed.<br /><br /> - August 9: Grassroots activists from across Vancouver Island meet at Lizard Lake. To prevent the cutting, bulldozing and blasting activity into Fairy Creek headwater planned for the very next day, they decide to mount an emergency logging road blockade. This is set up at the end of Reid Mainline, on a high ridge on the western side of Fairy Creek. Notice is sent to Pacheedhat First Nation Chief and Council and Elder Bill Jones of primarily settler-activist intentions to block road-building operations on their unceded territory.<br /> <br /> - August 10: Ridge Camp blockade turns away Stone Pacific road and falling crews. A call-out goes to the public to join the camp and defend against logging road construction <br /><br />into this last unlogged watershed in the San Juan River system.<br /><br />- August 17: A second blockade is established at another road access point into Fairy Creek, at River Camp, along Granite Mainline in the Renfrew Creek watershed, on the east side of Fairy Creek.<br /><br /> - August 24th: A temporary, pop-up blockade is set up on Truck Road 11. It is aimed at halting road-building and logging of old-growth forests on Edinburgh Mountain, across from Fairy Creek in the San Juan river basin.<br /><br /> - August 31: Ridge Camp blockade is moved 7kms down the road to a new blockade location. This one is aimed at halting road-construction into Fairy Creek and logging of contiguous old-growth forest adjacent to the Fairy Creek watershed.<br /><br /> - September 4-6: Pacheedaht Elder Bill Jones releases an official letter of invitation to Indigenous and non-Indigenous forest defenders to unite on the Territory as his guests to defend the old-growth rainforests on his ancestral lands. A delegation of Indigenous youth and Elders from many territories visit the blockades to further advise on appropriate respect protocols for forest defenders taking action on the land. An Elder's tent is built at River Camp and structural work begins to center decolonial values.<br /><br />- See updates for more!<br /><br />Links for more information:<br /><br />Fairy Creek Info Video <br /><br /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBnhktwJIo4&amp;t=7s"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBnhktwJIo4&amp;t=7s" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBnhktwJIo4&amp;t=7s</a></a><br /><br />Scientific American Article <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/old-growth-forests-help-combat-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">about old growth and climate change</a>

Direct Action for the last Ancient Rainforests

Kevin Fuller tragically passed away Friday evening leaving behind his beloved Joana, Georgia (11 years old), William (3.5 months old) and Stephen (11 years old).  Many of you knew Kevin and his family through his love for coffee. He started Albina Press, which went on to become an integral part of the coffee community in the PNW. His joy, compassion and love for his friends, family and community will always be remembered. <br /><br />Please help in supporting his family during this difficult time. We hope to ease their financial stress so they can focus on healing.

In Loving Memory of Kevin Fuller

Rojo the Llama has become a legacy in the Portland, OR/Vancouver, WA community. Rojo has served his community for a llamazing 12 years a therapy animal, visiting over 1,500 adult care centers, special-needs groups, and schools of all kinds,<br /><br />Sadly, just before his planned celebration of the hard work he has done and preparing for life in "retirement," Rojo began showing signs of fallen health. With optimism seeing him continue to eat and growing in spirit, the old man made to to his own party. Maybe it was then that he felt all was right in the world, because just a few days later, he began not wanting food and starting to show severe signs of health issues. <br /><br />After being taken down to Oregon State University's vet care, it was considered that Rojo may have hereditary defects, or even cancer, causing his body to begin breaking down so quickly.  It was determined it would be in Rojo's best interest to keep him comfortable until his llama mama, Lori, could come down and be with him when he crossed the carrot rainbow. <br /><br />Now this is where we could really use your help:<br />Rojo has visited the Washington State School for the Blind for the last 6, 7, 8 years? Maybe even longer? The school has an incredible safari room filled with other animals and they would love to make Rojo front and center!! Ever since Lori and her daughter, Shannon, learned about this room they had joked what a magical thing it would be to have Rojo included when this doomed day came AND THE SCHOOL IS ON BOARD!! <br /><br />Lori found a Vancouver taxidermist who can have Rojo ready by early summer 2020. But taxidermy and Rojo's final vet bills really add up. If you feel so inclined, please consider helping us continue to pass on Rojo's legacy with your financial support. Even just sharing this page on your social media channel is wildly helpful! <br /><br />All other funds that might exceed these will go back to our Non-Profit as we work towards opening the farm in 2020 to offer private therapy and educational visits along with public open-house days to introduce the rest of our herd to the community. <br /><br />Thank you for all your support, kindness, and for lloving Rojo so much! We feel so honored Rojo was our sweet boy and that we got to share so many years with such a magical animal. <br /><br />Llots of llove,<br />Shannon &amp; Lori

Rojo's Llegacy Llives On

On the night of July 3rd our friends Cory Van Cleef and Tony West were involved in a collision while riding their scooters in SE Portland. Cory suffered a concussion. Tony sustained a severe Traumatic Brain Injury, fractured tibia, fibula and scapula. Tony has a long road of recovery ahead of him which will involve months of rehabilitation and therapy. During this time he will be unable to work, pay bills and debts, and support himself.  Let’s help him get back on his feet and help his family care for Tony while he recovers! &lt;3

Tony West's Recovery!

Ariela is a friend that brightens many of our lives with her warmth, kindness and gentle spirit. She has shown up countless times to support me and this generosity spans throughout her community. Now, I'd like to offer our support to her. <br /><br />Ariela recently shared on social media that she has entered an in-patient treatment program for her eating disorder. The response and outpouring of support was huge! My hope is that this campaign will provide a tangible way for folks to show their support. <br /><br />The cost of healing is exorbitant. Treatment is expensive and out-of-pocket expenses are adding up. Additionally, Ariela's insurance may not be able to cover any treatment beyond 60 days. The recommended course is 90 days and there are more out-patient, treatment costs once she has transitioned back to Portland. Ariela also needs to meet rent, pay student loans and cannot make an income while in treatment. <br /><br />I think it would be amazing if we could raise $5,000 to help Ariela meet the costs of treatment and transition on her journey to recovery. This would alleviate the situation's financial stress and allow Ariela to wholeheartedly focus on getting well. <br /><br />100 percent of funds will go directly to her. This campaign has Ariela's blessing, although she was shy in her acceptance of it. <br /><br />Let's shower her with our support and love. We are lucky to have Ariela in this world. Thank you for reading and for anything that you can contribute. <br /><br />- Elissa

Ariela's Support Fund 

On Thursday, March 30,  a man ran over my dog, Lucie, right in front of me in the Rock Creek/ West Union area, off Bendemeer road. The person who did this, an caucasian man in a big white car, hit Lucie twice despite the fact that I was waving my arms, and screaming for him to stop. He looked at us, but did not stop. It was unbelievable and soul-crushing that he could so heartlessly crush my Lucie. <br /><br />Lucie has already had a very hard life. She was rescued from an abandoned home in Hillsboro, and had likely been used for breeding. After finally opening up to our family and forming an inseparable bond with me, we all hoped her hardest days were behind her. <br /><br />My family is beyond upset and can't possibly understand why or how someone could choose to target a life like this. <br /><br />Lucie was admitted to the ICU at Dove Lewis after being initiall seen at Bethany Family Pet Clinic.  After a difficult weekend, doctors were able to control her shock and stabilize her vitals, reset a displaced hip, and get her a feeding tube. We are waiting to see how things go, if she will need further surgery, a tail amputation, or what other complications and rehab needs might arise. We are taking it day by day.<br /><br />We want to thank everyone--from the bottom of our hearts--who has donated and shared this page--it means the world and we are so deeply humbled by all the love and support that has come to Lucie, me, and my family. <br /><br />We are still seeking help for the tremendous costs, as we still do not have a final number from the doctors and don't know how much this will end up costing--depending on how Lucie recovers, she may or may not need surgery. But she will need lots of rehab and love. Thank you.<br /><br />Update on the witness: The other driver who witnessed the incident and was kind enough to pursue the driver but wasn't able to get his license number. He found my daughter's post on Facebook and we have been talking with him, and a reporter from Hillsboro to see if more information about the driver comes forward.<br /><br />Much love to everyone.<br /><br />Un abrazo,<br /><br />Alma &amp; lucie

Emergency Medical Fund for Lucie

On Tuesday night, December 20th, 24-year-old Kylee Bruce passed away suddenly due to a car accident. Her bright smile and unique laugh were infectious to everyone around her. She leaves behind her mother (Gaylene), father (Thom), boyfriend (Brandon), seven loving siblings, and her nieces and nephew who adorded her. <br /><br />Money raised is on the behalf of Gaylene Moyers, Kylee's mother, to go towards funeral and memorial expenses. The Bruce family and all extended family are so grateful for your donations and prayers during this difficult time.<br /><br />The family expresses their gratitude! They are so grateful for the donations from everyone and are overjoyed by the abundance of support they have received. They would like to thank everyone from the bottom of their hearts! They also want everyone to know that with more than enough money to cover funeral costs, the rest of the proceeds have been discussed. They have a few options but would like to inform everyone that we wish to put the remaining donations towards some sort of educational program. Scholarships have been talked about.<br /><br />A beautiful tribute from Brandon, Kylee's boyfriend, was posted on his Facebook page:<br />"You made me promise not to announce our baby to the world until 20 weeks when we found out the sex. We were going to make a funny announcement video and share it with everyone. You were 18 weeks pregnant with my first child, and I lost you both last night. Even though I hadn't met my baby, the amount of love and excitement I had in my heart was unlike anything I'd ever felt. Listening to its heartbeat for the first time on the ultrasound, staring at the the ultrasound pictures on my fridge in awe of the little life growing inside of you. I couldn't wait to be a father and I felt so blessed everyday that it would grow up with you as its mother. I couldn't help it and told multiple family members and close friends and you'd always say, "Brandon! you can never keep a secret!" and I'd just smile and say, I'm sorry, I'm just too excited. You would have been the best mom Ky. You made me so happy, you were my future.. everything I did, as hard as I've worked, every decision I made had you and your happiness in mind. I'm sorry I'm breaking my promise right now and telling everyone a couple weeks early, but I was so proud of you, and I want everyone to know how committed you were to this child, how health conscious you were, how you would go online each week and tell me things like, "Our baby is the size of grapefruit right now, or "Did you know our baby has already started to develop eyelids?!" .. I could feel the warmth and purpose our child gave you, and I knew I needed to be the best man I could possibly be for both of you, to keep you comfortable and safe. I couldn't keep you safe last night. I should have went with you to Bend like you asked.. I shouldn't have been too tired, and maybe things would have worked out differently. What a twisted, cruel world we live in that decides to take a clean, beautiful, innocent soul like yours away, instead of mine. I'd switch places with you in a second. I promise to keep being the man you fell for, I promise to do something great with this life I have left, I promise to make you proud of me, I promise to never take anything for granted again, and I promise to say I love you to those I care about early and often. I wish I would have said it to you last night before you left, but in my heart, I know that you knew.<br /><br />"This Christmas was going to be the best ever. I'm currently staring at my first Christmas Tree I've had in my home in years, a tree that you and I found and cut down together. The base of the tree is filled with presents to me, from you. Beautifully wrapped and neatly stacked. There's none under there to you because I haven't wrapped them yet..procrastinating like always..but I want you to know that I got you a bunch of things you would have loved Ky. I know you yell at me for trying to get you to open your gifts early because I'm so bad at keeping secrets, but I want you to know a lil early this year.. A vanity, so you finally would have a place to do your makeup instead of sharing the tiny little bathroom mirror with me in the morning, multiple books because you love to read, a soup thermos so you could pack hot lunches to your brand new pre-school teaching job in Bend that you were so excited about, that beanie from Eddie Bauer that matched your scarf perfectly, your own set of camo clothing so you could hunt with me next year and not have to borrow my xlarge coat, fuzzy socks and sweaters to keep you warm.... I can still wrap them if you want ky. You'd only lived with me for a short time, but my house was so full with your energy and warmth, it smells like your scentsies, my closet is filled with your clothes, your coat is hanging by the front door, and your snowboots are on the mat right where you left them before you left last night, but it feels so empty in here right now. I miss you so much Ky. I've always been able to fix things and solve problems for people, but I don't know what to do from here. I feel helpless. I'm still waiting for you to walk in the door. I love you so very much Kylee, I know you'll be the best Mom in heaven to our little one when he/she is born in June. I wish I could see its little face just one time. I know it would have been beautiful just like its mother. Merry Christmas sugar, I promise not to open my gifts until Christmas morning.<br /><br />"Rest in Peace Kylee Bruce<br />Rest in Peace Braylee or Talon, daddy loves you so so very much."

Liam Whitworth

Liam Whitworth

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