Alice Gildersleeve passed away from cancer, and her family now needs help covering her funeral expenses. Alice was a close friend of the organizer, and this fundraiser is being created to support her children during an incredibly difficult time. 
<br>
<br>
 Because of physical and financial limitations, Alice's children are not able to cover the costs on their own. There is also an urgent need to secure Alice's ashes from the mortuary soon, which makes support especially important right now. 
<br>
<br>
 Donations will go toward Alice's cremation and burial expenses, helping relieve some of the immediate burden on her family as they navigate this loss. 
<br>
<br>
 If you are able, please consider giving or sharing this fundraiser. Any support will help Alice's family give her a proper resting place and meet these urgent funeral costs.

Alice Gildersleeve Funeral Support

<div>Hi friends,

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>I’ve been without running water at my home in Las Vegas for over a week now. What started as a repair we thought we could handle turned into something much larger — the well pump completely failed, and because the well is deeper than expected, replacement costs are now $15,000.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>COVID and inflation have increased costs for everything, and without my neighbor agreeing to connect to city water, this full expense falls solely on me. When we first purchased this home, we already invested $8,000 to replace the bladder and filtration system — we truly had no idea a full pump replacement would be needed.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>This couldn’t have come at a worse time. I was recently evicted from my office space and began transitioning my work back home to create a private healing and consulting room so I could continue serving families and holding space for clients. Now, with no running water, I can’t even make my home office usable — I can’t see clients, teach, or host sessions.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>For nearly two decades, I’ve poured my heart into caring for families, midwives, and community members through birth work and holistic care. Asking for help isn’t easy for me, but right now, I need it to keep going — to have water, to stay in my home, and to continue doing the work I love.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>Every dollar donated will go directly toward replacing the well pump and restoring water to my home and future work space. Even the smallest contributions or shares mean more than you can imagine.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>Thank you for standing beside me in this moment, for caring, and for helping me rebuild one more time. 

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>With love and gratitude,

</div>

<div>Sherry

</div>

Restore Water and Hope for Sherry's Home

<div>A Plea for Help: Rebuilding Barham After Hurricane Melissa 

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>​Our hearts are shattered. We are reaching out from Barham, Westmoreland, Jamaica, where the devastating winds and relentless rains of Hurricane Melissa have not just damaged our community—they have left it in ruins.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>​This is more than just property damage; it is a humanitarian crisis that has robbed entire families of their most basic need: shelter. Our beloved community now stands in heartbreaking destruction. Mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, and precious children are suddenly homeless, left to sift through the rubble where their lives once stood. The vibrant spirit of Barham has been crushed, and every single family is struggling to cope with this loss.

</div>

<div>​We desperately need your help to begin the long road to recovery.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>​Every single donation will be a lifeline, directed toward the most immediate and critical needs of the entire community:

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div><strong><em>​Emergency Supplies:</em></strong> Providing clean water, food, bedding, and clothing for the families currently displaced and without resources.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div><strong><em>​Securing Shelter: </em></strong>Purchasing essential materials like tarpaulin, plywood, and zinc sheets to provide temporary, weather-resistant shelter before the next rains come.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div><strong><em>​Rebuilding Homes: </em></strong>Funding basic building materials (lumber, concrete, and roofing) to help us clear the debris and begin rebuilding the homes that were completely destroyed.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>​We are appealing to your compassion and generosity to help us rise again. Please help us bring security back to the children who have nowhere to sleep tonight. Help us restore hope to the families who have lost everything.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>​We thank you from the deepest part of our hearts for your kindness and support during this dark time. Please also keep our community in your prayers as we face this monumental challenge.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>I am personally connected to town for the last few years through friendships I have made going to Jamaica.  I have spent many Holiday in this area. The togetherness everyone has is overwheming.  I have set up an account here and will transfer the money down unless I am personally flying down - whisch happens about once a month - to help with clean- up and taking supplies down.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

Anne Schmal

Anne Schmal

Featured causes

Alice Gildersleeve Funeral Support

Restore Water and Hope for Sherry's Home

Restore Hope: Barham's Recovery from Hurricane Melissa

About me