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>On what was meant to be a special family trip to Osaka and Seoul, our lives changed in an instant. On our first morning in Seoul, Dave suffered a sudden brain hemorrhage and is now in a medically-induced coma. We are far from home, navigating the Korean healthcare system, and facing overwhelming upfront costs as non-citizens. When I told my mom and Dave’s parents what happened, my brother Paul put them on the next flight over and by Tuesday morning they were here with me.
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<div>Our family and close family friends quickly became our care village and we are doing our best to support Dave and each other. Lincoln was excited to come to Seoul to attend fencing summer camp and he refused to go the first two days. He loves Pokemon cards, but wants to open the packs he got in Japan with his dad. Nic turns 9 months today. We had plans to take cute photos to commemorate as a family. Now we have to do this without Dave. We want Nic's first word to be “bố,” which is father in Vietnamese. He's almost there, blowing raspberries. My cousin brought over some toys and now he’s settling into our new routine. He greets everyone with morning giggles but by night, he must sense something is very wrong because he’s been fussier than usual, even with so many doting people by his side. Two hours before the bleed, Dave had just fed and put Nic to sleep. Dave was also the first to hold Nic while I was still in the OR.
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<div>The financial strain is immense. We have to pay for all medical care upfront even if we may get some of it reimbursed by our health insurance, including a large deposit just to keep Dave in the ICU, as well as the costs for his surgeries and ongoing treatment. The medical bills are already at $45,000 after one week, and each day, that number accumulates. The long term recovery plan will not be covered by our insurance as it will likely not be considered an emergency. Housing for six people, childcare, and schooling for Lincoln in a Korean school system (our options may be limited to international schools and those that would accept foreign students - another massive financial hurdle). These are all costs we have to think about as we prepare for a possible 6-plus month stay in Korea as Dave recovers and faces additional surgeries. We are looking into longer-term rentals now. We have to navigate the Korean rental system, which requires large deposits, also upfront, some in the tens of thousands of dollars.
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<div>Every day brings new challenges, but also reminders of how much Dave means to us. He is the pillar, the rock, the glue of our family. He does everything with so much honor and with a sense of pride and responsibility, keeping the house maintained, running the logistics of our sons' school and activities. I keep finding things that remind me of what he does for our family that he never complains about or asks to be recognized for. Every loose end is tackled before it becomes loose. One of my nicknames for him is Mr. Seamless.
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<div>He is modest. Private. He'd probably be so mad that I'm making a gofundme, but you know what? He sometimes needs to know how much people love him. Dave's always given so much to others and it's time for people to take care of him.
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<div>All of his work colleagues confirmed my suspicion that he's just as indispensable, dependable at work as he is at home. The guy who follows through and executes what he wants in a timely manner. He's not the big idea guy who spitballs and runs away when the real work happens. Dave is the real deal. The reviews for the Asian American Film class he teaches are so positive. His students love him. The faculty and staff love him. I want him to return to his various jobs - jobs he’s tailored to fit our lifestyle, jobs he’s brought honor to, jobs he’s elevated to a new standard.
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<div>We're deeply grateful for the love and support from friends, family, and even strangers. Your prayers, messages, and generosity are helping us stay strong for Dave as he fights to recover. We hope to bring him home and back to the life he loves. Thank you for standing with us during this unimaginable time.
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Support Dave’s Recovery in Korea

<div><strong>Help Support Our Grandfather’s Fight for His Life</strong>
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<div>Hi everyone,
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<div>I’m writing this with a heavy heart and a sense of urgency. Our grandfather recently underwent emergency surgery due to a major infection. While the procedure was necessary to save his life, it came with complications—serious, life-threatening ones that have left him in critical condition. He hasn’t woken up yet, and the road ahead is uncertain.
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<div>We’ve always been a family that tries to take care of things on our own, and asking for financial help is something we’ve never done lightly. But this time, we truly need it. He’s all the way in El Salvador, and it’s already heartbreaking enough not being able to be there with him or help physically—so the least we can do from here is try to ease the burden by helping cover his medical bills.
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<div>Unfortunately, he does not have insurance for the intensive care and ongoing treatment he now desperately needs to have any chance at recovery. We are doing everything we can, but the medical bills are already overwhelming, and the expenses continue to grow each day he remains in the hospital.
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<div>Our grandfather is one of the most generous, selfless people we know—someone who’s always looked out for others without ever asking for anything in return. Now, we’re asking for him.
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<div>If you’re able to donate, even a small amount would mean the world to us. And if you can’t donate, sharing this with others could still make a huge difference. He is only 85 years old, and we just want to give him the best possible chance at pulling through this.
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<div>From the bottom of our hearts—thank you for your support, your prayers, and your kindness.
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<div>With gratitude,
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<div>The Orantes family
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<div>Hola a todos,
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<div>Estoy escribiendo esto con el corazón apesadumbrado y un sentido de urgencia. Nuestro abuelo se sometió recientemente a una cirugía de emergencia debido a una infección importante. Si bien el procedimiento fue necesario para salvar su vida, vino con complicaciones graves y potencialmente mortales que lo han dejado en estado crítico. Todavía no se ha despertado, y el camino por delante es incierto.
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<div>Siempre hemos sido una familia que trata de ocuparse de las cosas por nuestra cuenta, y pedir ayuda financiera es algo que nunca hemos hecho a la ligera. Pero esta vez, realmente lo necesitamos. Está todo el camino en El Salvador, y ya es bastante desgarrador no poder estar allí con él o ayudarlo físicamente, así que lo menos que podemos hacer desde aquí es tratar de aliviar la carga ayudando a cubrir sus facturas médicas.
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<div>Desafortunadamente, no tiene seguro para los cuidados intensivos y el tratamiento en curso que ahora necesita desesperadamente para tener alguna posibilidad de recuperación. Estamos haciendo todo lo posible, pero las facturas médicas ya son abrumadoras, y los gastos continúan creciendo cada día que permanece en el hospital.
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<div>Nuestro abuelo es una de las personas más generosas y desinteresadas que conocemos, alguien que siempre ha estado cuidando a los demás sin pedir nada a cambio. Ahora, estamos preguntando por él.
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<div>Si puedes donar, incluso una pequeña cantidad significaría mucho para nosotros. Y si no puedes donar, compartir esto con otros aún podría hacer una gran diferencia. Solo tiene 85 años, y solo queremos darle la mejor oportunidad posible para superar esto.
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<div>Desde el fondo de nuestros corazones, gracias por su apoyo, sus oraciones y su amabilidad.
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<div>Con gratitud,
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<div>La familia Orantes
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Please Support Our Grandfather's Critical Recovery

<div>Update from Susan, 1/16/25
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<div>We are beyond humbled by the incredible outpouring of love and support from friends and strangers. It has been a beacon of light. We’ve changed locations three times upon evacuating last Tuesday night, and are looking forward to returning to Pasadena on Sunday for the next two weeks in hopes that at least Cooper (8th grader at Marshall Fundamental in Pasadena) may return to school. 5th grader Essie’s school, Altadena Arts Magnet, while gratefully spared, stands among the rubble. We are hopeful she can return to in-person learning somewhere soon, too. We also just secured an Airbnb in a neighboring city for the month of February, which feels like it gives us a moment to breathe while we work on longer term housing. The kids appear to be taking things in stride, as kids often do (despite that Essie’s 11th birthday was the day we lost our home). Adam and I are taking things one moment at a time.
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<div>Please help support our dear friends, the Streets Family- Susan, Adam, and their two children, Cooper (14) and Essie (11). They are one of the many families who tragically lost their home in Altadena and everything they owned in the recent Southern California Eaton wildfire. With moments to evacuate, they managed to get 2 changes of clothing and their dog and cat. The fire destroyed their car and everything else they owned.
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<div>The Streets have called Altadena their home since 2009. They've both contributed so much to their community, particularly in youth sports. Susan Lee was born and raised in Pasadena. She has been coaching youth soccer and volunteering as a Board Member for AYSO Region 13 for the past 8 years.
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<div>Adam Streets has coached AYSO soccer, basketball, baseball, and was on the board of East Altadena Little League.
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<div>Now, we can help support them during these extraordinary challenging times. The funds raised will go directly to helping the Streets in their recovery efforts.
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<div>Thank you for your kindness and support.
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<div>With gratitude,
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<div>Heather &amp; Kirk Ward
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<div>About us: Kirk and I met the Streets 11 years ago at Village Playgarden, a magical preschool in Altadena, which also, tragically, was destroyed in the fire. This fundraiser is to help them cover needs that are not covered by other sources of aid.
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Support the Streets Family After Wildfire Loss

<div>As many of you know, our daughter, Nava Elle, recently turned five years old. Nava was born on Saturday, March 17th, 2017. I was just shy of 32 weeks pregnant. We were able to bring her home from the hospital on Wednesday, April 19th, 2017.
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<div>For the past 4 years, I have honored the 32 days that our daughter spent in the NICU by creating a daily ritual that focused on creating opportunities for reflection and celebration through movement. Committing to a new personal challenge each year has been meaningful and powerful; it reminds me how strong we are individually and as a family. Those first 31 days of Nava's life I was frozen in shock and fear. I spent 8-10 hours day, sitting by her bedside, watching her, watching over her. I was constantly sitting in stillness- waiting to be given permission to hold her, waiting to hear updates from her doctors, pumping, reading to her while she was fed through a feeding tube on my chest. Not being able to bring her home, or hold her constantly, not being able to feed her myself for weeks, or be the one to respond to her cries in the middle of the night... it was the scariest, most heartbreaking experience of my life. It was also when I began to know my daughter as the fierce and incredible fighter that she is. At barely 5 lbs, we watched her fight off a nurse who was trying to re-insert the feeding tube she was pulled from her nose. We learned how to change diapers through the holes of an isolette, how to bathe her, how to recognize stress signals unique to preemies. While sitting there, frozen, I watched my daughter begin her life and claim it as her own.
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<div>In honor of our amazing and powerful daughter, I am continuing this annual ritual of creating and committing to a personal challenge. Beginning on her birthday, I have committed to running 5 miles a day and engaging in at least 32 minutes of cross-training (so far it's been cycling, strength-training, and HIIT workouts). It is an exercise (no pun intended!) in embodying the shift from powerless to powerful that I have felt over these past 5 years. It is a love letter to my daughter, to my husband, and to the mother who discovered a strength she didn't know she possessed 5 years ago.
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<div>As we have in the past, we are also using this as an opportunity to raise money for March of Dimes. They support research, lead programs and provide education and advocacy so that every family can have the best possible start.
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<div>This year, we are REALLY excited to also be able to offer a way for YOU to join us in sweating it out in honor of Nava. On Sunday, April 24th, our friends at B/SPOKE Wellesley will be hosting a charity HIIT class for us- it will be a total body workout and a ton of fun. Vaccinations will be required and we ask for a minimum donation of $25  (which you can make on this page). Please fill out the registration form to reserve your spot: <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdec3zvDlWfLH_lGgggpJSGSbCobCFOjbfn65LKRC2E-JtUMw/viewform?vc=0&amp;c=0&amp;w=1&amp;flr=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Registration for BSPOKE fundraiser class</a>  
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High FIVE: Celebrating our family's journey

March of Dimes

<p>Hi there! I’m Kate, one of Lisa’s oldest and best friends. I’m also a member of her Breast Cancer Care Soul Sister Tribe. We love and admire Lisa’s grit, her relentless optimism, her boundless creativity, and her resourcefulness. <br /><br />However, we also know she can’t do it alone. So we’ve created this GoFundMe to raise funds to support Lisa and her young daughter Summer as Lisa undergoes treatment for breast cancer.
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<p><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/60657967_1634948484722812_r.jpeg" alt="60657967_1634948484722812_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" />Lisa was first diagnosed with non-invasive breast cancer (DCIS) in April 2018. Shortly after obtaining a second opinion from a renowned cancer hospital in Boston, she began ten months of comprehensive testing, which included multiple mammograms, ultrasounds, MRIs, and biopsies. She also re-committed to an intensive holistic lifestyle, which she found had once helped her successfully manage a benign pituitary brain tumor and two previously diagnosed autoimmune diseases. For several months, she and her providers continued to monitor the DCIS.<br /><br />In March 2020, just days before the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, Lisa underwent scheduled follow-up testing. It was the news everyone dreads: her previously non-invasive breast cancer had progressed to a Stage 3  invasive cancer,  with a positive lymph node. 
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<p><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/60657967_1634945574334292_r.jpeg" alt="60657967_1634945574334292_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" />Due to restrictions on surgery mandated by the pandemic, Lisa began hormone therapy and underwent a battery of additional tests. She struggled with the hormone therapy, which her body did not tolerate well, but remained committed to her daily holistic regimen  -- eating a mostly organic and plant-based diet, juicing, exercising, and meditating daily. By October 2020, her tumor had shrunk by almost 35 percent. She felt encouraged, strong, vibrant, and ready to take on her next healing journey chapter with vigor.
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<p><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/60657967_1634952582427330_r.jpeg" alt="60657967_1634952582427330_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" />Unfortunately, life threw Lisa a few more curveballs. <br /><br />After a stressful winter that upended her family life, Lisa began a new chapter as a single mom. By spring, her tumor had begun to grow again.  Frustrated with the path she’d been on, Lisa sought out a new treatment team, with the goal of finding one that would more fully consider her complete medical history when determining treatment, and remain open to her continuing on her holistic path, now led by a board-certified naturopathic doctor.
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<p>On September 8, 2021, Lisa began chemotherapy at Mass General Hospital in Boston. Though it’s been a long and winding road, she feels profoundly blessed, and remains confident that she is exactly where she’s meant to be. It means everything to Lisa, and to the people who love her, to see her at peace, to know that she’s in good hands, and to trust that her care team has not just her back but her whole body.
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<p><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/60657967_1634940884267059_r.jpeg" alt="60657967_1634940884267059_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" />Which brings us back to the purpose of this fundraiser. <br /><br />Chemo is not fun for anybody, but Lisa has endured a particularly grueling acute reaction to it -- a reaction so severe it necessitated delaying her next treatment so she had enough time to heal and recover her strength before she had to do it again.<br /><br /><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/60657967_163494070258413_r.jpeg" alt="60657967_163494070258413_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" />This only underscores the importance of providing Lisa with the resources necessary to ensure that she has what she needs to survive this treatment. She is grateful for the friends and family who have rallied to help with her various boots-on-the-ground needs, and would be grateful for anyone else who might be willing to participate in her healing journey by donating to her GoFundMe.<br /><br />In general, these funds will support:<br /><br />- Uncovered medical and holistic expenses<br />- Monthly bills and utilities<br />- Organic meal prep and fresh-made juices<br />- Travel expenses to Boston for appointments and infusions<br /><br />Please help us help Lisa survive breast cancer. The world’s a far better place with her in it.
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<p>Thank you for being here, for taking the time to read this, and for helping as you’re able.<br /><br />With love and gratitude on behalf of our Lala Lisa,<br />Kate, along with Lisa’s Breast Cancer Care Soul Sisters: Kelley, Vicky, Allison, Lynda, Sarah, Melissa, Lindsay, Jennifer, Emma, + Anne<br /><br />To learn more of Lisa’s story, please visit her <a href="http://loverla.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">blog</a> at loverla.com and follow her on <a href="http://instagram.com/heyloverla" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Instagram</a> at @heyloverla.
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Lisa Vitello Memorial Fund to Benefit Summer Votto

<strong>                         Help provide hope on the Rosebud!</strong><br /><br />           Fall began just a few days ago, but the morning temperatures are already in the low 40s. If you live in the valleys here on the Rosebud, the temps are even colder.<br /><br />          We’ve already begun giving out wood, delivering some ourselves to people who depend on the wood to stay warm.<br /><br />          Please join us as we work to provide hope on the Rosebud! Read the story below, give if you can, and share this campaign as widely as possible!<br /><br />          <img class="not-resizable" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/23580246_1506533425.8675_funddescription.jpeg" alt="" width="100%" /><br />                                                      • • •<br /><br /><strong>EVERYONE helps provide hope on the Rosebud!</strong><br /><br /><img class="not-resizable" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/23580246_1506533505.7518_funddescription.jpeg" alt="" width="100%" /><br /><br /><br />            Winters in South Dakota get cold. Very, very cold. The Lakota people of the Rosebud Indian Reservation, especially the grandmothers, rarely have enough money to buy propane or firewood to keep warm. When the money runs out, so does the fuel. So they turn to burning old clothing and wooden shipping pallets, both of which spew harmful chemicals into the air.<br /><br />            When it’s really cold, and there is no more money, the grandmothers have only two choices:    <br /><br />            Breathe in pollutants to stay warm.<br /><br />            Or freeze.<br /><br />            The Rosebud Episcopal Mission, which has served the Lakota people on the Rosebud since 1873, doesn’t believe these should be the only two choices. So we strive to help as many of the people, especially the grandmothers, as possible. Our motto: No one freezes on the Rosebud.<br /><br />            The Episcopal Church buys propane for those most in need, contracting with a local company to provide propane - 100 gallons at a time, enough for about one month - which the company then delivers for us. In the winter of 2016-2017, which was very long and very cold, we provided propane to more than 100 households.<br /><br />            We also run our own Firewood for the Elders program, cutting, splitting and delivering firewood to those most in need. Last winter, we gave away 26 cords of firewood, 100 pieces at a time, to more than 150 households. (Each cord measures 8 feet by 4 feet by 4 feet.) This year, through our hard-working partners, we already have laid in 30 cords of firewood, and plan to split at least 10 more cords before the first snows fly.<br /><br />            How do we do it?<br /><br />            The Episcopal Mission raises money from supporters all over the United States. The majority of the money goes to buying the propane, including have regulators and propane tanks checked for safety purposes. About one-quarter of the money goes to pay the expenses for wood cutting, which include purchasing and maintaining the axes, sledgehammers, wedges, mauls, chainsaws and splitters, as well as paying for the fuel for the tools and the truck used to deliver the wood. <br /><br />            To lay in this much wood, we have our mission teams and community members come together all year long to cut, gather and split the firewood, which we store in a large wood barn. <br /><br />            For us, each piece of wood and each gallon of propane represent hope. Hope that someone cares. Hope that someone will help. Hope that together, we can make life better for all of our people.<br /><br />            Many people ask why the people don’t cut their own wood and take care of their own families. The reason? The cost for the equipment and transportation. The Rosebud Reservation is one of the poorest counties in the United States, with high unemployment and scarce resources. But even when people can’t directly take care of their own families, they do volunteer to help others. Community members help cut the wood, split it, stack it and deliver it to those most in need. The Episcopal Church, in return, takes care of as many people on the Rosebud as possible - not just Episcopalians but all Lakota.<br /><br />            In addition to these two programs, the Rosebud Episcopal Mission helps people buy food, gasoline and other basic needs. With little opportunity to earn money, the needs of the people can be as overwhelming as winters here on the Rosebud. Whenever possible - whenever there is money in the account - the Episcopal Church helps out.<br /><br />            These programs - this effort to provide hope on a daily basis to the people of the Rosebud - cost thousands of dollars yearly, all of which is raised from generous donors across the country. But we never have enough. Every dollar that comes in is spent on the people, and more is needed.<br /><br />            Help the Rosebud Episcopal Mission, a part of the Episcopal Diocese of South Dakota and a 501(c)3, provide hope by helping the people take care of each other. Donate today to keep our people warm and fed.<br /><br />            Our website, rosebudepiscopalmission.org, will help keep you informed of our mission of hope here on the Rosebud. Join us in our mission!<br /><br />            • • •<br /><br />            The Rosebud Episcopal Mission exists to serve the Lakota people of the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota. The Rosebud Episcopal Mission<br />is part of the Episcopal Diocese of South Dakota <br />and is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. No goods or services were provided in exchange for your contribution.

The Rosebud Indian Reservation 

After distributing water with my best friend, LeKia Nolan, and her family, I set up the Water for Flint campaign to raise money for the purchase of water for the citizens of Flint. <br /><br />So far, we have delivered more than 2,000 cases  of water and 1,000 packs of baby wipes. <br /><br /><img src="https://2dbdd5116ffa30a49aa8-c03f075f8191fb4e60e74b907071aee8.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/8330673_1456626774.1639_funddescription.jpg" alt="8330673_1456626774.1639_funddescription." /><br /> <a href="http://www.wellesley.edu/news/2016/february/node/83651" target="_blank">Wellesley College Article</a> ‌<br /><br /> <a href="http://recode.net/2016/02/16/gofundme-helps-raise-2-billion-to-support-causes-like-bringing-water-to-flint/" target="_blank">Recode Article</a> ‌<br /><br /> <a href="http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/flint-water-crisis/flint-water-crisis-one-womans-personal-crusade" target="_blank">Interview with WDIV Local 4 Detroit</a> ‌<br /><br /> <a href="http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gofundme-challenge-raises-405k-for-flint-water-crisis-and-names-contest-winner-300213755.html" target="_blank">PR Newswire Article on the GoFundMe fundraising competition </a> ‌<br /><br /><a href="http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/flint-water-crisis/2016/01/23/readers-help-flint-brothers-who-trek-miles-water/79239258/" target="_blank">Delivering water to the Thompson brothers</a> ‌<br /><br /><a href="http://money.cnn.com/2016/01/18/news/flint-michigan-water-gofundme/index.html" target="_blank">CNN Money article on our campaign</a> ‌<br /><br />Every penny donated will be used for the purchase of water for Flint residents, particularly for families with children. Photos of our efforts will be posted on my Facebook and Twitter accounts - Marseille Allen.<br /><br />Our efforts are ongoing. Every dollar helps. We are in it for the long haul....<br /><br /><img src="https://2dbdd5116ffa30a49aa8-c03f075f8191fb4e60e74b907071aee8.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/8330673_1453602652.5459_funddescription.jpg" alt="8330673_1453602652.5459_funddescription." />Photo by Eric Seals for the Detroit Free Press.

Water for Flint-WFF

<p><iframe media_type="0" media_id="C-cCtFM76MY" class="youtube-replace" title="YouTube video player" style="margin-bottom:20px;width:560px;height:315px;" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/C-cCtFM76MY/?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="1"></iframe><br />On April 25, 2015 a devastating 7.8 Richter scale earthquake hit Nepal. The following days saw more than 90 aftershocks with two 6.5 and 6.7 Richter scale tremors that were as impactful as large earthquakes. With the epicenter in Lamjung district, the earthquake has devastated the center of the capital city, Kathmandu as well as rural areas across the region. The death toll has already reached 5,000 people and is expected to exceed 10,000 once recovery reaches those unaccounted for under the rubble. More than 10,000 people have been injured and the number continues to increase as relief begins to reach the most rural parts of the country.<br /><br />According to UN estimations, more than 8 million people in 39 districts have been severely affected. This means that more than a quarter of the entire nation is dead, homeless, hurt, without a family member, or left with damaged property.<br /><br />While aid has poured into Nepal from countries and international organizations, areas outside of the capital city, are left with zero to minimal support. We, students of Clark University, Massachusetts, are collaborating with the Dean of Graduate Studies, Professor William Fisher, and reputed International Development Professor, Dr. Jude Fernando, who has done immense relief work in Haiti after the tragic earthquake of 2010.<br /><br /> You can find their profiles here:<br /><br />Dr. Fisher: <a href="http://www.clarku.edu/faculty/facultybio.cfm?id=11" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">http://www.clarku.edu/faculty/facultybio.cfm?id=11</a><br /><br />Dr. Fernando: <a href="http://www.clarku.edu/faculty/facultybio.cfm?id=473" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">http://www.clarku.edu/faculty/facultybio.cfm?id=473</a><br /><br />Under their guidance, we are strategizing on the most effective strategy for short-term relief and long-term sustainable efforts.  While the help of big organizations will be necessary for relief work in Nepal, we aim to reach out to the poor in remote areas in order to help them take a step towards long-term recovery. <br /><br />With your kind support, this global fund will go towards short-term relief and long-term sustainable programs geared towards rural areas in Nepal. Funds will be collected in an offical Clark University Account called "Nepal Relief Fund."<br /><br /></p>
<p>I, Wabun Nembag, am a Nepali Graduate student at Clark University and one of the many coordinators putting this project together. </p>
<p><br />Our current efforts that are already taking place: <br /><br />1.     A Candlelight Vigil and fundraising event<br /><br />2.     Community wide Non-Perishable foods, blanket, and band-aid drive.</p>

Clark Nepal Earthquake Relief Fund

My boy—the kid I taught to play chess and write a thesis statement, who slept with my old teddy bear, whose baptism I cried at—was arrested Saturday.<br /><br />He is 18 and a freshman in college. <br /><br />He was arrested for evading arrest despite having committed no crime for which he would have been arrested.<br /><br />He was with friends at a park near Houston about 10 pm. Someone reported either a noise complaint or “suspicious behavior”—the boys aren’t sure. I’ve taught all these boys, all of whom are college freshmen. The only thing suspicious about them is they were more than two black boys walking together. They might have been loud. Kids sometimes are.<br /><br />The police pulled up with sirens and lights. He thinks there were at least 4. I don’t know if there were that many--sometimes the lights and sirens are disorienting. But he thought they were being surrounded.<br /><br />And he ran. He just panicked. He had no drugs, he hadn’t been drinking, he had no weapons. He has never been in any trouble with the law and until now, his greatest offense was sassing his English teacher. But police scare him.<br /><br />Because if you’re an 18-year-old black boy and you’re not a little apprehensive around police, you haven’t been paying attention.<br /><br />He’s been told a million times not to run. He knows to obey the first time, be courteous, say sir. But he was scared and he ran. The boys who stayed were not arrested (because no one had done anything wrong).<br /><br />He was taken to city jail and then to county. He was chained to someone charged with aggravated assault and someone charged with two counts of rape. He was released at 4 pm Sunday when we posted bond.<br /><br />So now he faces 180 days or up to a $2000 fine because he was evading an arrest that wouldn’t have happened. He's feeling like he's entered Alice in Wonderland.<br /><br />He is so humiliated. He cried telling me. And he apologized. “I know it was stupid, I know I shouldn’t have run, I know it was dumb.” <br /><br />But hell, I’m scared of snakes. You can tell me they’re more afraid of me than I am of them, but I will still inadvertently jump and shriek if I see one. He panicked. <br /><br />He is worried about college algebra and suddenly he is in a world of “prior offenses” and “deferred adjudication" because he ran from a non-crime scene where he was not breaking any laws.<br /><br />An attorney is $1000. His parents are immigrants from the Democratic Republic of Congo; they speak limited English and have no idea how to navigate the justice system. They don’t have that money. I don't want to see his future damaged because he panicked, isn't savvy about the legal system, and doesn't have financial resources. <br /><br />Please help him get legal representation so he has a shot at a decent outcome, and can go back to worrying about college algebra.<br /><br />.

Kim P.

Kim P.

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