Shaun and Tara Lawrence

Hi. I’m Tara. Wife. Mom. Small Business owner. Over the last few years but especially the last 13 months our family has been hit with numerous hardships, although we have tried to stay afloat the struggles just keep coming. Our son got sick back in 2019 with mono which left him with a lot of mental health issues as well as some brain damage. We thought we had it all figured out until a few months ago when he started complaining of head pain and migraines, as it stands now, we are waiting to see a neurologist again to figure out this latest round of attacks. If that isn’t enough he’s also been diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome.  Then on September 11, 2025 my husband had a heart attack leaving us to depend on disability and  EI. They pay terrible!!  After 9 months of disability the bills just kept piling up.  My little business has tried to keep us a float but honestly, I need to be able to grow my business to keep up with the times. My laser is on its last leg, and new one is roughly $5000, we depend on my laser as a means of income through my small business.  We live very paycheque to paycheque, all while helping in the community where we can. In April we took in a teenage boy that needed stable housing and basic daily needs which has now added to our hardship. The plus side is the child is fed and has a roof over his head.   This is where the ask comes in, I’m looking to purchase a couple new machines to grow my business in hopes that it will bring us some peace financially. I own and operate a home based business making crafty items such as signs, drinkware, wooden game boards, 3D fidgets, and so much more. I love what I do, and bust my butt making new items and attending markets regularly to try and help our cause. But I too, have been struck with poor health. I have been diagnosed with 2 autoimmune chronic pain diseases, chronic migraines, general anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder and most recently ADHD as well as some depression (probably because my plate is full and my cup is empty).  If you know us, asking for help is terrible and HARD, but when the paycheque doesn’t cover the living expenses and my business, like many are struggling, turning to the internet for help is what I’m trying. Sometimes it’s ok to ask for help, and honestly I’m trying to just do the right thing despite all our struggles. I can’t grow my business and help my family financially without help.  In turn we will continue donating to sports teams for raffles, events and local associations that ask for help. We will continue helping in our community in any form we can. My husband, daughter and myself volunteer for our highschool football team, and I’m sure we will spend time volunteering for hockey when the season begins! I will pay it forward as many times as I can. I just need a little help.  The machines I am looking to purchase come in around $8000-9000. One is a new laser the other is an all in one dtf/uv printing machine. By purchasing these machines I can grow and offer so many more products such as clothing to my little business as well as numerous other items.   In the end, I’m just a mom with a full plate, empty cup and emptier bank account looking for a little boost.  I also have an Amazon wish list that is forever growing if anyone is interested.  https://www.amazon.ca/hz/wishlist/dl/invite/AQICAHild4Vpadjqcz7bdgUf6Qu6-OaRt7P_FJRNNbyMlg-OQwHiezpyG7kwfWqZiBuXCGpYAAAAkTCBjgYJKoZIhvcNAQcGoIGAMH4CAQAweQYJKoZIhvcNAQcBMB4GCWCGSAFlAwQBLjARBAyRYbbUHppWeK7e-cMCARCATKCzR5FwDRw9XB6UE2WtqzCt5zpyaj7TwkDwoPMtjn12aCP_uQNJkB9xXwgASLY6d9RWdLKtGHa8OaBgUfkCNQ4wRu2R6RtVLfe8-u8?ref_=wl_share