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>I am starting this fundraiser for our friends, Maria and Efrain. On April 21st, 2025 when Efrain was taking his son to the bus stop, immigration agents came and detained him without a warrant, and without looking at his paperwork. He was taken to the Aurora GEO Ice facility where we are trying to help him get legal representation and make sure he obtains due process. He has applied for asylum, along with his wife Maria. She is here in Denver with their 2 young children who attend school and are missing their dad. This fundraiser is to help Maria pay rent, provide groceries for the family and possibly pay some legal fees if we are unable to obtain pro bono representation. We are actively seeking a lawyer to represent Efrain's case. They arrived to the US via CBP One and followed all of the correct processes, and saved money to apply for asylum. He obtained his work permit and I had been actively helping him find a steady job so he can support his family. His children miss him and are dealing with a lot of uncertainty.
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<div>Despite the hardships he has endured, Efrain is a gracious and happy person, who wants to work hard to provide for his family.
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<div><strong>These funds will support his wife, Maria, and their two young children, ensuring they have a roof over their head and food while Efrain is in ICE custody.   Updates will be provided as we find out more information.   </strong>
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Support Maria and Efrain's Family During Detention & beyond

<div>Winston (aka Winny the Roo) was born with both an underdeveloped sternum and front arms. 

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<div><span>Because his sternum didn’t develop properly in the womb and only has 3 bones instead of 8, his ribs are not attached to it and his chest is not currently properly protected. </span>

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<div><span>Our vet has reached out to a specialist in London who has recommended we go to the University of Guelph. This is because he feels that Winston is going to need significant thoracic reconstruction surgery.</span><br />
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<div>The current plan: 

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<div>1. Winston will be going to OVC (hopefully soon) to see a specialist/ have a CT scan done so they can better understand his anatomy

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<div>2. Winston gets his second set of custom front wheels next week (he already outgrew the first ones) - while we are there he will be casted so Janice can make him a chest protector - hopefully that will enable him to have some supervised playtime with his half sisters! 

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<div>3. We are spoiling the heck out of Winston - he has been to Muskoka, on boat rides, to multiple stores and parks, he rides around the farm on his remote controlled car and joins us in the gator for chores. Winston is living every day to the fullest - he doesn’t know that anything is wrong! 

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<div>We estimate that Winston’s vet/ wheelchair/ chest protector/ surgery bills will likely easily hit 15k. We will adjust the goal as we learn more about what to expect. 

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<div>Follow Winston aka Winny the Roo  on:

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<div><span>TikTok @winnie_the_roo</span><br />
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<div>Instagram @winnie_the_roo_

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<div>Facebook @ Winnie the Roo 

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<div><span>For daily pictures and all the updates! </span><br />
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<div><span>There is nothing we won’t do for him ❤️</span><br />
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<div><span>Thank you so much for reading his </span><span>story and for your support!!</span>

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<div><span><font color="#333333">Winny at 6 weeks old:</font></span>

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<div>Winny’s first set of custom wheels: 

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<div><font color="#333333">Winny’s X-rays:</font>

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<div><font color="#333333">Helping with chores at the farm:</font>

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Winston’s wheels, chest protectors and vet bills

Will McNiff

<div>Hi everyone!

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<div>Our names are Taylor and Will, and we’re so glad you’re here! First and foremost, thank you for your interest in supporting Operation Midway Bliss. Like you, we have been horrified by the recent ICE actions in the Chicagoland area and felt compelled to support the families directly affected by Operation Midway Blitz.

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<div>Will lives in Chicago, is well connected in the advocacy space, and has built a community around standing up for what’s right and pushing back against harmful policies. Taylor lives in Downers Grove, co-owns a service business in the suburbs, and has had a front-row seat to the impact ICE has had through the experiences and stories her predominantly Mexican employees have shared. 

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<div>Together, we wanted to channel our anger and heartbreak into something meaningful — and Operation Midway Bliss was born.

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<div><strong>Our Mission</strong>

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<div>Operation Midway Bliss is committed to supporting children in the Chicagoland area whose families have been impacted by recent ICE actions. We believe no human is illegal, and every child deserves to feel safe, valued, and loved—especially during the holiday season. Our mission is to bring comfort, dignity, and hope through meaningful gifts and compassionate community support. 

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<div>We will be working with a couple of community-operated and community-supported organizations that have been working directly with these families during Operation Blitz to provide Walmart gift cards so they can purchase Christmas gifts for their children or grab groceries they may need.  

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<div>Will and I posted this on our social media pages, and we were overwhelmed by the immediate support. Over 800 of you completed the form on <a href="https://www.operationmidwaybliss.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">our website</a> to let us know you'd like to become a donor! We are so excited and inspired by your willingness to support this cause and can't wait to see how many families we can impact this holiday season! 

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<div>More updates soon!

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<div>Taylor and Will 

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Help Chicagoland Families Impacted by ICE

Will McNiff

Will McNiff

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