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 Tuesday, August 11th, my brother and sister in law Jesse &amp; Britnee said goodbye to their beautiful three-month-old daughter, Aurora Fortenberry.
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 Aurora was a miracle from the very beginning. Jesse and Britnee struggled to conceive for the first fourteen years of their marriage. They never gave up hope, and through IVF, that hope was finally answered. In May of this year, Aurora was born, and she meant everything to them. Anyone who saw Jesse and Britnee with their daughter saw two people who had waited fourteen years for this joy and treasured every single moment of it.
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 Just over 2 weeks before the accident, Aurora was blessed in church, surrounded by family and friends who traveled from all over to celebrate her. None of us could have imagined it would be one of our last gatherings with her.
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 On August 4th Aurora was critically injured in a car accident and spent a week on life support at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite while her parents stayed by her side, praying for a miracle. When it became clear she would not recover, Jesse and Britnee made the selfless, unimaginably difficult decision to donate her organs. The hospital staff lined the halls for an honor walk as Aurora made her final journey through the hospital, honoring a little girl whose three months of life would go on to save the lives of several other babies.
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 Then Jesse and Britnee were left alone in the room to say goodbye to their baby girl one last time. Britnee could not let her go. No parent should ever have to.
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 There is nothing any of us can do to bring Aurora back. But we can wrap our arms around Jesse and Britnee and make the road ahead a little less heavy. Funds raised will go directly to:
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 Hospital bills not covered by insurance
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 Aurora's funeral expenses
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 Giving Jesse and Britnee time away from work to grieve and begin to heal
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 If you are not able to give, please share this campaign and keep this family in your prayers. Every dollar, every share, and every prayer is felt.
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 Aurora lived for only three months, but in that short time she was loved more deeply than most people are loved in a lifetime. Through her gift, other children will grow up because of her. That is her legacy.
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 Thank you for loving this family with us.
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 With love and gratitude,
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 Paul Johnson, Aurora's uncle
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For Aurora: Supporting the Fortenberry Family

<div>I am a filmmaker named Scout Tafoya and I am in a bind. I'm supposed to be making a film a few weeks from now but an investor dropped out, leaving me holding the bag with just days left to find financing. We had 120 thousand dollars but now only have 25. We hope to raise 30-50 grand or it looks like I'll have to go into debt for a movie I won't even get to make. I've made dozens of microbudget features, I know how to make a film cheaply, but this is special to me. This one is my baby and I want to do right by her.
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<div>No raffles, sweepstakes, giveaways, or returns on investment are offered in exchange for any donations made to this GoFundMe.
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<div><a href="https://youtu.be/eqhr-y_QHNY" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://youtu.be/eqhr-y_QHNY</a>
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Help Scout Tafoya Bring His Film to Life

<div>Hello, I'm Pudji and I'm raising emergency funds for my sister, Sati.
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<div>Please help us give Sati a chance to recover from cancer. She urgently needs surgery, followed by ongoing chemotherapy. Any further delay will reduce her chances of remission.
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<div>We kindly ask for your support. Your contribution will bring her closer to the treatment she urgently needs and will mean the world to Sati and our family.
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<div>Satiawati, or Sati, born in 1955, is the second eldest of the Wisnu family in Indonesia. One of five siblings, a mother of three and a friend of many, she is kind, dependable, and caring, and a guiding figure in our large family.
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<div>Since retiring from Deutsche Bank in Jakarta in 2011, Sati has dedicated herself to serving as General Manager of Bina Cita Utama School in Central Kalimantan. She is known for her cheerful spirit in the community of Rungan Sari, and for the compassion with which she supports others through difficult times.
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<div>At the end of 2025, after spending years caring for her beloved sister Utami through declining health, Sati herself was unexpectedly diagnosed with colon cancer and a breast tumor. The news came as a deep shock to our family.
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<div>Sati now urgently needs a mastectomy operation and continued treatment at Fatmawati Hospital in Jakarta. However, the government social security system, with its many administrative layers, is unable to provide access to the urgent medical care she needs now. Any further delay will reduce her chances of remission.
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<div>The estimated cost of her treatment is USD 24,000 (IDR 410,000,000), including USD 8,500 (IDR 144,000,000) for surgery and USD 16,000 (IDR 266,000,000) for chemotherapy. As we expect additional medical expenses, we have set our fundraising target at USD 30,000.
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<div>To make donations possible from overseas, the funds will first be received in Sati’s niece Adriani’s<strong> </strong>account in Australia and then transferred in full to Indonesia for her treatment and care.
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<div>We are reaching out to our global family for help so Sati can begin treatment as soon as possible. Any contribution, no matter how small, will bring us closer to giving her a real chance to overcome this disease. It will mean the world to Sati and her family.
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<div>With heartfelt gratitude.
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Sati will beat cancer

<div><strong>We're a group of people who've known Dr. Francois Clemmons for years and decades ... </strong>from high school and college, as a performing artist in New York and around the world, and as a faculty member / mentor at Middlebury College.
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<div><strong>All of us - and millions of others nationwide - have also known him as Officer Clemmons, </strong>the Black singing policeman from Mr. Roger's Neighborhood. We watched him, our kids were inspired by him, and he became the first African American to have a leading role on national children's television.
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<div><strong>Together, we are now "Friends of Officer Clemmons" raising funds </strong>for him to afford medical care and assisted living in a residential retirement community in Middlebury VT … near friends, extended family and his church congregation.
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<div><strong>The costs for this kind of retirement community are high</strong> for almost anyone. But they are simply not possible for a performing artist like Francois, an openly-gay Black man who -- despite his leading role on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood -- encountered discrimination, struggled financially, and never benefited from legacy privilege or generational wealth.
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<div><strong>WE HAVE SET A GOAL OF $135,000 ... </strong>and we are asking for your help.
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<div><strong>We have an opportunity now </strong>to express our gratitude to Officer Clemmons<strong> </strong>for his artistic creativity and personal compassion over the decades. Let's show him our appreciation by making a significant difference at this critical time in his life.
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<div><strong>PLEASE JOIN US ... contribute</strong> as you can ... and <strong>share </strong>our fundraiser through your personal networks. Thank you!
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<div><strong>Notes: </strong>
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<li>All donations will be deposited into a special account to be used exclusively for Officer Clemmons' medical and retirement care expenses.
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<li>GoFundMe deducts a 2.9% fee from your gift as a one-time transaction fee.
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<li>GoFundMe also suggests a voluntary tip of 15% - but tipping is optional. The tip amount can be changed to 0%.
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<div><strong>FRIENDS OF OFFICER CLEMMONS</strong>
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<div>Adrian Benepe, Brooklyn NY
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<div>Andrew Lynch, Astoria NY
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<div>Carl Brown, Las Cruces NM
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<div>Chuck Dickinson, Watertown MA
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<div>Elizabeth Copps, Englewood CO
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<div>Jackie Fisher, New York City NY
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<div>Jane Beck, Middlebury VT
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<div>Jebb Norton, Santa Fe NM
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<div>Kathryn Schloff, Middlebury VT
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<div>Karl Lindholm, Middlebury VT
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<div>Mark Jaffee, Oberlin OH
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<div>Nat Carpenter, Beverly MA
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<div>Paul &amp; Frances Stone, Orwell VT
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<div>W. Marichal Gentry, Durham NC
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<div><strong>=&gt; VIEW </strong>Francois Clemmons singing "<a href="https://youtu.be/ma3hpU7a9J0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">This Little Light of Mine</a>" at the Berklee College of Music in January 2019, accompanied by George Russell, Jr. (faculty member).
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<div><strong>=&gt; FOLLOW THESE LINKS </strong> to learn about Francois Clemmons’ extraordinary life and career:
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<div>•	<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francois_Clemmons" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wikipedia article</a>
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<div>•	<a href="https://misterrogers.org/articles/officer-clemmons/#:~:text=Officer%25252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252520Clemmons%25252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252520was%25252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252520one%25252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252520of,an%25252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252520intentional%25252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252520statement%25252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252520on%25252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252520inclusivity." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mister Rogers Neighborhood website</a>
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<div>•	<a href="https://www.biography.com/actors/mister-rogers-officer-clemmons-pool" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fred Rogers Stood Against Racial Inequality</a>
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<div>•	<a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/04/30/847315345/officer-clemmons-mister-rogers-neighborhood-policeman-pal-tells-his-story" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Public Radio (NPR) Book Review</a>
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<div>• <a href="https://www.addisonindependent.com/2023/04/27/francois-clemmons-to-celebrate-400-years-of-negro-spirituals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Clemmons celebrates 400 years of Negro spirituals</a>
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<div>Francois Clemmons after his final "Last Hurrah" concert, Champlain Valley Unitarian Universalist Society in Middlebury Vermont (May 6, 2023).  He is accompanied by Frances Stone, a member of the "Friends of Officer Clemmons" GoFundMe group.
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Officer Clemmons Needs Our Help

<div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/TRUjWf_V-oM" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Latifah's Legacy</a> Dealing with Dementia: Remembering My Mom, Latifah
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<div>It's really hard to see someone you love lose their memory because of dementia. We need to find a cure for this illness. We know some ways to prevent it, but it's not easy to always follow them. Sadly, more and more young people are getting dementia.
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<div>I want to tell the world about my mom, Latifah Rita Blasi Troncelliti. She was born in Rome on July 22, 1941. Her life was full of courage, smarts, and art. She was not only great at school, but also an amazing artist. She made beautiful things but didn't show them off much. Now, as she's getting sicker, I want to share her art and stories with everyone.
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<div>I need your help to care for my mom, publish her books, take care of her art, and put together a show for her. Your help will let me hire people to take care of her and work on her art and books.
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<div>I tried to do this alone, but I can't. I really need your help to make my mom's dream come true. By helping, you're not just celebrating my mom's life, but also making sure her story and art will be known and loved for a long time.
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<div>Please, if you can, help me honor my mom's life and art. Your support means so much.
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Unveiling Latifah's Legacy as dementia takes toll

<div>Like many of you, our hearts stopped on August 8th as we watched Lāhainā - the capital city of the Hawaiian kingdom - burn to ashes. We're absolutely gutted by the loss of life and so many items of historical and cultural significance.
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<div>As former Kona residents ourselves, we already had a visit planned for later this month (September 2023). We have decided to shorten that trip and instead hop over to Maui - we want to do all we can to kokua those affected on our neighbor island.
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<div><strong>The Plan: </strong>
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<div>1.) We're going to stuff our checked bags full of needed supplies.
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<div>2.) We will be volunteering daily with Maui Rapid Response.
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<div>3.) We will infuse the local economy with as much cash as possible.
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<li>When not volunteering, we would love to also perform random acts of kindness around the island. This could be anything from dropping a $100 tip (or more!) at a locally-owed restaurant, providing lunch to a nearby Maui Fire Department station, or visiting a struggling business like a dive shop and buying up a bunch of their apparel to take back to San Diego and donate to the homeless (clothing donations are currently not needed on Maui)
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<div>*donations will <em>not</em> go towards trip expenses - flights, car rental, etc. - these will come out of our own pockets
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<div><strong>Any funds that are not spent on supplies, etc, will be donated to the </strong><a href="https://www.eifoundation.org/peoples-fund-of-maui/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>People's Fund of Maui</strong></a><strong>.</strong>
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<div><em>The more we raise, the more we can directly give to those in need! </em>
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<div><strong>How you can help: </strong>
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<div>This GoFundMe has been set up so that you can donate to help us buy supplies and have the needed funds to support those on Maui.
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<div>Recovery will be a years-long effort. We're in this for the long haul. We visit our Hawai'i island 'ohana at least a few times a year, so we plan to leave this fundraiser active in order to do supply drops every time we go. We will update this fundraiser if we plan to do any more volunteer trips as well.
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<div>Mahalo nui loa for your support - together, we can help Lāhainā recover!
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<div>With much aloha,
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<div>Brigid and Darin
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Help Us Kokua Maui!

<div>Hello everyone,
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<div>As some of you know, my Tia Baby, also known as Mercedes, has been going through medical issues. Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse when she was diagnosed with liver cancer. Most recently, she was given some very unfortunate news from her doctors that her end of life was soon approaching. She is now in hospice care surrounded by family. All of us are deeply saddened at this situation and are spending this time reflecting on the impact she has made on our lives. However, my aunt’s faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has helped her stay strong throughout all she has endured this past year. My aunt is a God-loving woman who touched not only our lives, but everyone she came across.  
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<div>Initially, the family was not planning on creating a Gofundme. However, we have been contacted by several of you wanting to donate towards her financial medical costs and future funeral costs. Any monetary donations will be greatly appreciated by our family. We humbly ask for your prayers and support during this difficult and ongoing journey. 
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<div>If you have a story or note about Tia Baby, please share it with your donation as taking the time to honor her and reflect on her impact is a great comfort to us all. 
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<div>We thank you and appreciate all of the love and support!
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<div>With love, 
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<div>Monique
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We Love You Tia Baby!

American Cancer Society

<div>I am fundraising to participate in an <strong>educational trip</strong>:<br /><strong>Civil Rights: a Journey to Freedom</strong><br /><strong>Political, ethical, and cultural lessons of a past remembered for a path forward.</strong><br />This educational journey is fundamental to my work in advancing racial equity and justice. 
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<div>This trip is being offered by my alma mater, Principia College. <strong>I discovered my passion for addressing racism in education during college</strong> through a field trip to a primarily Black high school in St. Louis. That day directed the path of my life work. The impact of on-site, experiential learning was palpable. I am sure this “Civil Rights” trip will have an equally powerful effect informing my work.
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<div><strong>This trip will directly support the work that I am doing in my predominantly white community.</strong> In retirement, I work with colleagues, community organizations, neighbors and friends to open minds and hearts combating the myth that being a “good white person” is enough. We acknowledge the realities of systemic racism throughout our history that, play out in our lives, today. Most importantly, we work to create change.
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<div>I would greatly appreciate your support in raising the funds to go on this trip.
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<div><strong>The total amount needed $2800</strong>
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<div><strong>Additional Registration Fees needed $2000</strong>
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<div><strong>Travel and misc. expenses $800</strong>
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<div><strong>Funds are needed by Friday, March 11.</strong>
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<div><strong>For years, I have yearned to go to the historical sights </strong>that we will visit during this trip. I am so excited to have the opportunity, now - and especially with Principia!!!
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<div><strong>There is no doubt that this trip will be life changing - impacting my perspective on anti-racist work in ways that deepen my understanding of the struggle as well as the joy in this fight to free us all.</strong>
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<div><strong>Thank you so much</strong> for donating or sharing this request.
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<div>Merrie
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Help White Anti-racism Worker Know History

<div><strong>2021 TOP 10 CNN HERO</strong>
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<div>After the death of her young son, Shirley Raines spiraled into despair before she found promise and fulfillment serving those in need. Raines started Beauty 2 the Streetz to offer the homeless on Skid Row in Los Angeles a chance to look in the mirror and see something in themselves other than homelessness.
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<div>Since 2017, Raines has provided food, clothing, hair and makeup services -- and most recently wellness, hygiene and safety items -- to thousands of homeless people living on Skid Row.
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<div><a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/17/us/los-angeles-covid-beauty-wellness-homeless-cnnheroes/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Read Shirley’s story on CNN</a> 
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<div><a href="https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2021/06/17/los-angeles-covid-wellness-beauty-homeless-cnnheroes.cnn" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Watch Shirley Raines video for CNN Heroes</a>  
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Shirley Raines, Beauty 2 the Streetz

<div><strong>2021 TOP 10 CNN HERO</strong>
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<div>Since the start of the pandemic, people of color have been devastated by Covid-19 -- dying at a much greater rate than white Americans. When Dr. Ala Stanford heard that Black Americans in her hometown of Philadelphia were being severely – and disproportionately – impacted by the virus, she rented a van, filled it with PPE and headed to the hardest hit areas to offer free testing. In 2021, she built on the trust she’d established and began a massive vaccination campaign. To date, her group, the Black Doctors Covid-19 Consortium, has tested and vaccinated more than 75,000 people in Philadelphia’s at-risk minority neighborhoods.
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<div>The Black Doctors Covid-19 Consortium is an initiative of It Takes Philly, Inc.
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<div>Read Dr. Stanford's <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/24/health/philadelphia-black-doctors-covid-19-vaccination-cnnheroes/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">story on CNN</a>  
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<div><a href="https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2021/06/24/covid-philadelphia-doctor-vaccine-hesitancy-cnnheroes.cnn" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CNN Hero Video</a>  : Dr. Ala Stanford
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Dr. Ala Stanford, Black Doctors Covid19 Consortium

It Takes Philly

Despite being born without the ability to speak, control his muscles, feed himself, or do most routine daily activities autonomously; Brad’s positivity and “no limits” mindset allows him to live his life to the fullest. Brad never fails to constantly amaze and inspire everyone around him. He has an uncanny ability to find ways to overcome obstacles - to persevere and break down unimaginable barriers, regardless of what life throws his way. His powerful mindset; consisting of strong mental resilience and a positive attitude, leaves a lasting impression on anyone who has the pleasure of meeting this remarkable man.<br /><br /><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/56204374_1619032779760504_r.jpeg" alt="56204374_1619032779760504_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" /><em style="font-size:1.0625rem;"><strong>*Photo of young Bradley Heaven*</strong></em><br /><br />When Brad began attending public high school at the age of 13, he needed a permanent aide by his side to provide all-day assistance when he needed it, and to help him physically navigate a world that lacked consistent accessibility adaptations.<br /><br />The universe works in mysterious ways, people can appear in our lives when we need it most. In January 2010, the universe worked its magic. Dan was hired as Brad’s full-time aide. At the time, aged 19, Dan was going through a particularly low point in his life. Having recently dropped out of college without the faintest clue on what to do next. He had zero experience as an aide and was initially fearful of such an enormous responsibility. Finally, he decided to gather his courage and step out of his shell. It was time to try something new, even if he was afraid. Little did either of them know their lives would forever change from that day forth.<br /><br />Brad uses assistive technology to give him a voice and interact with his environment, and it wasn’t long before Dan became fascinated with seeking out new adaptive products and technologies that could improve Brad’s quality of life. He even began fabricating his own makeshift “diy adaptive products” whenever he couldn’t find a product that existed. One of his most notable creations was a stylus pen, made from local dollar-store items, that Brad wore as a headband. This device enabled Brad to draw on his iPad!<br /><br /><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/56204374_1619033269919651_r.jpeg" alt="56204374_1619033269919651_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" /><em style="font-size:1.0625rem;"><strong>*Photo of Dan and Brad wearing Dan's custom built head strap iPad Stylus*</strong></em><br /><br />As the years went by, they quickly realized how difficult it was to keep up with the abundance of adaptive resources hitting the market. Their strong bond that developed over the course of their decade-long journey and their experience with adaptive products/assistive technologies are what gave them the motivation to launch their Nonprofit, All Access Life. They created the first ever one-stop-shop website that empowers people with disabilities through adaptive resources: <a href="http://www.allaccesslife.org">www.allaccesslife.org</a>. They update the site regularly with all the latest adaptive products, technologies, apps, software and more.<br /><br /><em><strong><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/56204374_1619033990129190_r.jpeg" alt="56204374_1619033990129190_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" />*Photo of Brad and Dan proudly holding up All Access Life's Certificate of Incorporation*</strong></em><br /><br />They've been working on All Access Life over the past 5 years while Brad attended college and Dan remained Brad’s full time aide. They've already achieved several notable accomplishments during these last 5 years, winning entrepreneurial competitions, creating viral videos, delivering keynote presentations, winning distinguished awards, being featured on national news to name a few! <a href="http://www.allaccesslife.org/about" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">List of Accomplishments</a> <br /><br />The next logical step for the two enthusiastic entrepreneurs is to focus the entirety of their efforts on All Access Life, working on the company <span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong>full-time!</strong></span> This is where you, the person reading this, can help Brad and Dan realize their altruistic vision for the world of accessibility. With the ability to intensely focus on their goals, free of financial burden for a year, they will be able to give their company the <span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong>final push it needs.</strong></span> They would be in a position to one day profoundly impact the lives of people with disabilities on a much larger scale than they can today.<br /><br />Brad and Dan brainstormed all kinds of ways to make this full time goal a reality. Suddenly, one day it hit them like a ton of bricks. They recalled hearing about a father and son named Dick and Rick Hoyt, who used to run marathons together. Rick was born with cerebral palsy and his father, Dick, always went above and beyond the call of duty to give Rick the best life possible. He would always say that it was his son running the marathon, he was simply lending him his legs. Dick was the motor and Rick was the heart. Their story resonated with Brad and Dan deeply. To the point that when Bradley was in high school, Dan made him a promise that one day he would lend him his legs, and that Brad would run a marathon of his own.<br /><br /><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/56204374_1619034275853643_r.jpeg" alt="56204374_1619034275853643_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" /><em><strong>*Photo of Dick Hoyt pushing his son Rick up a hill*</strong></em><br /><br />That brings us to today. Dan kept that promise and the duo will run their first marathon on <em><strong>October 17th, 2021. </strong></em>The goal of the marathon is to raise enough funds to work on their Nonprofit, All Access Life, <span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong>full-time for one year.</strong></span> During this year, they will tirelessly strive to turn All Access Life into a <em><strong>sustainable business.</strong></em> This will give them the opportunity to continue empowering people with disabilities on the long-term!<br /><br /><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/56204374_1619034502935036_r.jpeg" alt="56204374_1619034502935036_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" /><em><strong>*Photo of Brad and Dan taken after a long training session. Brad is seated in his adaptive jogging stroller called Josi*</strong></em><br /><br />However, there’s a unique plot-twist to the way Brad and Dan plan on running this marathon.  Keeping consistent with his “no limits” mindset; Brad will only be making use of Dan’s legs for the first 40km, and plans to complete the remainder of the marathon on his own. That’s right, <strong>Brad will be completing the last 2.2km with his adaptive walker</strong> to demonstrate to the world that anything is possible when equipped with a positive and determined mentality.<br /><br /><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/56204374_161903468519843_r.jpeg" alt="56204374_161903468519843_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" /><em><strong>*Photo of Bradley in his adaptive walker midway through a 2km training session*<br /></strong></em><br /><br /><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong>Hitting their target GoFundMe goal would allow them to:</strong><br /><br /></span><strong>-</strong> Continue researching and updating their website on a regular basis with new adaptive resources: <a href="http://www.allaccesslife.org">www.allaccesslife.org</a><br /><br /><strong>-</strong> Continue creating their adaptive product review videos: <a href="https://www.allaccesslife.org/post/adaptive-product-reviews"><a href="https://www.allaccesslife.org/post/adaptive-product-reviews" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.allaccesslife.org/post/adaptive-product-reviews</a></a><br /><br /><strong>-</strong> Continue writing and publishing their book *Heaven Casts Light on a Shadow*<br /><br /><strong>-</strong> Carry on breaking the stigma associated with disabilities and to showcase anything is possible with a “no limits” attitude<br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Your donations will go directly to their Nonprofit and will be used to operate All Access Life for one entire year:</span></strong><br /><br /><strong>-</strong> Funding new equipment<br /><br /><strong>-</strong> Marketing/Promotion<br /><br /><strong>-</strong> Salaries<br /><br /><strong>-</strong> Website fees<br /><br /><strong>-</strong> Publishing book fees<br /><br /><strong>-</strong> Location rental to shoot their videos<br /><br /><br />Brad and Dan are a testament to how anything in life is achievable with the right mindset. They believe you should always dream <strong>BIG.</strong><br /><br />They intend to move mountains in this lifetime with All Access Life. With your support they will be able to change many lives for the better and have an everlasting impact in the world of accessibility and inclusion! Should you have further questions, or need additional information about their story, visit <a href="http://www.allaccesslife.org">www.allaccesslife.org</a> to learn more.<br /><br /><strong>Your donations are truly appreciated and allow this dynamic duo to continue living out their passion of empowering others with disabilities!</strong><br /><br /><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong>Sharing this GoFundMe Campaign</strong></span> by simply pressing the <strong>"Share" button</strong>, is also a great way to support Brad and Dan. It will help their Campaign get more exposer!<br /><br /><br /><em>“You have been assigned this mountain so that you can show others it can be moved”</em><br /><br />- Mel Robbins

Marathon to Empower People with Disabilities

<p>Hi De Ho Comics has been a fixture of Santa Monica for 43 years, making us the oldest comic book store in Los Angeles Country. Our other location, Geoffrey's Comics in Gardena is the second oldest. So to say that we have a passion for the medium is a bit of an understatement.<br /><br /><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/48471736_1591068460897274_r.jpeg" alt="48471736_1591068460897274_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" /><br />Geoff Patterson, owner:<br /><br />I love comic books. I really really love them. I truly believe that world would be a better place if everyone read more Superman—it changes you for the better.<br /><br /><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/48471736_1591068292669820_r.jpeg" alt="48471736_1591068292669820_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" /><br />In the midst of this shutdown I read an issue where Superman saves a young woman by hugging her and tells her "You're much stronger than you think you are". As the father of a newborn daughter, it broke me. I wept for the lives lost and the lives yet to be lost, saddened by my feelings of helplessness. I kept hearing Superman saying  "You're much stronger than you think you are"  and frankly, as silly as this may sound, I didn’t want to let Superman down. I knew deep inside that we can each make a difference, so I called the Red Cross to volunteer both of our stores as blood drive locations. Details forthcoming.<br /><br /><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/48471736_1591068705417185_r.jpeg" alt="48471736_1591068705417185_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" /><br />And because Superman believes that we’re all stronger than we know, I’ll even be overcoming my crybaby fears and donating for the first time.<br /><br /><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/48471736_1591070093432511_r.jpeg" alt="48471736_1591070093432511_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" /><br /><br />If I close my eyes and think of the word "home", the image that comes to mind is the comic book store my dad started 40 years ago in Gardena, literally living in the back room with my mother. Taking over Hi De Ho Comics and adding my father’s name to it felt like the perfect way to honor his memory while respecting the shop’s history and its commitment to Santa Monica’s community that original owners Mark and Bob Hennessey worked so hard to create. I want Hi De Ho Comics to retain the same spirit it had when it opened in 1977.<br /><br /><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/48471736_1591068769972288_r.jpeg" alt="48471736_1591068769972288_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" /><br />Much like the Avengers heed the call, my closest friends and allies came and partnered with me to purchase Hi De Ho Comics and do justice to its legacy.<br /><br /><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/48471736_1591068802639299_r.jpeg" alt="48471736_1591068802639299_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" /><br /> My Partners were some of my oldest friends - Eddie deAngelini, and Kristen Parraz. <br /><br />The way Eddie and Kristen have made the store their own and connected with the community has been nothing short of astounding­—driven by the belief that comics are for everyone.<br /><br />Kristen quickly applied over 20 years of non-profit experience to create an open and inviting environment that embraces women and marginalized groups, highlighting books with diverse characters and creators.<br /><br />Eddie brought his creativity and love for comics to help make the store a safe space for all, spearheading in-store events like Hi De Ho Comics SaMo PRIDE Con that provided LGBTQ+ creators a platform to share their work.<br /><br /><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/48471736_1591068842895600_r.jpeg" alt="48471736_1591068842895600_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" /> <br /><br />With our previous location falling into disrepair, we wanted to give Hi De Ho Comics a new lease on life. As such, we worked hard to make a big move to our present 412 Broadway location, closer to the 3rd Street Promenade.<br /><br /><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/48471736_1591068872929827_r.jpeg" alt="48471736_1591068872929827_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" /><br /><br />Kristen Parraz, co-owner:<br />Like many small businesses, the Covid-19 shutdown has impacted us tremendously. Closing our doors at the height of tourist season resulted in the biggest financial hit in our 40+ year history.<br /><br /><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/48471736_1591068908127052_r.jpeg" alt="48471736_1591068908127052_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" /><br /><br />To make matters worse, our store was broken into on May 31st by thieves using the peaceful protest of the day as cover. Our door was literally drilled into until the lock fell off.<br /><br /><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/48471736_1591068937476781_r.jpeg" alt="48471736_1591068937476781_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" /><br /><br />Once inside, cases of the Magic: The Gathering product Ikoria (with special Godzilla cards!) were stolen, wiping out what should have lasted us for months in a matter of minutes.<br /><br /><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/48471736_1591068990689805_r.jpeg" alt="48471736_1591068990689805_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" /><br />Toys and statues were taken throughout the store, our custom glass cases were flipped over and/or had their glass broken out. Fixtures were tossed around and product strewn across the floor. Both of our cash registers were smashed and the computer we rely on to run our POS system was damaged, making it difficult to get in contact with our customers.<br /><br /><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/48471736_1591069052151646_r.jpeg" alt="48471736_1591069052151646_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" /><br />When the looters got to the back room they found multiple boxes of valuable Golden, Silver, and Bronze age comic books. Everything from 70s Spider-Man to 60s X-Men to 50s Superman. Even the World War II era superhero Bulletman and his dog, Bulletdog! (Yes, that was really the dog's name) Those boxes are gone. Along with the Magic cards, and the toys, and the doorknob, and the statues. But we aren't gone. Our employees were safely at home - they are ok.  We are ok.<br /><br /><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/48471736_1591069365778294_r.jpeg" alt="48471736_1591069365778294_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" /><br />Our store is a small business trying to survive in an area of Santa Monica priced up for global mega-brands. We have been making our way, but not many small stores can handle the loss of over $40,000 in product anywhere, let alone here.<br /><br /><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/48471736_1591069850678474_r.jpeg" alt="48471736_1591069850678474_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" /><br />The money from this go fund me will not only to replace our lost product and paying all of our employees, as we have been waiting for our approved PPP loan to clear for over a month now. We will also put funds towards replacing and refurbishing parts of our building, a state landmark (Popeye the Sailor was literally created in our building! How cool is that?!). Likewise, we will be replacing all of the custom fixtures that were destroyed.<br /><br /><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/48471736_1591069618427167_r.jpeg" alt="48471736_1591069618427167_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" /><br />And because what’s happening in the world is much larger than just what has happened to us, we will be donating 10% of all donations to the BINC Comic Book Store Safety Fund, which funds comic book stores hit financially during the current economic downturn. A further 10% of all funds will be donated to the Southern Poverty Law Center which is dedicated to seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of our society.<br /><br /><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/48471736_1591069805952901_r.jpeg" alt="48471736_1591069805952901_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" /><br /><br />Even with everything that has happened within our shop and outside of it, we would never lash out at our brothers in fear and anger. The X-Men taught us that. We still stand with peaceful protesters the world over. You are our brothers and sisters and we cry out for justice with you.<br /><br />********UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE*********************<br />From everyone at Hi De Ho Comics, thank you for all of your love and support. We are truly living the end of It’s a Wonderful Life, surrounded by friends and allies who have come to our rescue in our time of need. It’s because of you that we have reached our initial fundraising goal. No man is poor who has friends—and boy, do we have amazing friends. <br /><br />After the initial shock of reaching our goal in five days had set in we began to ask ourselves “What do we do next?”<br /><br />We have a platform and an army of customers, creators, and well-wishers who continue to ask how they can help. Some people are still continuing to donate. So, what should we do with this energy and the additional funds?<br /><br />The answer was always going to be the same: Give back to the community.<br /><br />We’ve decided that every single penny that we collect above the 10% to BINC, the 10% to Southern Poverty Law and the fees on our original request will go toward starting a new program that will seek to elevate the voices of marginalized comic creators throughout Los Angeles County. <br /><br />If we can reach 10k above our goal and fees - The Los Angeles Comic Book Collective would span both of our locations, from Gardena to Santa Monica, and would seek to accomplish the following:<br /><br />Provide a comfortable, productive space for creators from all walks of life to meet and work on their art.<br />Provide professional level supplies including, but not limited to, blank pages, inks, and markers to creators of all ages, from 2 to 102.<br />Invite professional creators of color and other marginalized groups to participate in virtual and live speeches and Q+As.<br />Share and record educational meetings as an on online library of lessons.<br />Sharing completed portfolios of local artists with our contacts in the comic book publishing industry.<br /><br />And not to be limited to just comic books, the Collective will also help us upgrade our current gaming space to be used as a safe place for everyone to play all the games that we all love. Additionally, funds could also be used to help minority and marginalized game creators bring their vision to life, with our store as a free testing ground for their ideas.<br /><br /><br />If we can raise $5,000 more after that, the Collective would provide a free-to-rent podcast space for members to amplify their voices. This in addition to having podcasters of color provide seminars on how to produce one’s own show.<br /><br /><br />And with $5,000 more and some hard work, we would pursue publishing of an anthology collection made up entirely of minority and under-represented comic book creators.<br /><br /><br />And finally – we have our big swing idea. We want to create a book-mobile for the Los Angeles Comic Collective. If we can raise $30,000 more we will put all of that money into a book mobile that can take free books and games to any and every school in Los Angeles county that will have us. We will bring speakers of color and underrepresented minorities to these schools to talk about their jobs in the arts. We will bring these students the same safe space to create as our stores, but in a way that increases our accessability to everyone in Los Angeles more than opening 10 more locations would. We know that to raise up the voices that we want to help raise – accessibility becomes a major issue. Our book-mobile can bring our message and our art to anyone that needs to hear it.<br /><br />With your help, we can build something that stands the test of time and continually gives back to the community. The Collective would follow in the history of the creative communities at both Geoffrey’s Comics and Hi De Ho Comics—which fostered talents of all races and backgrounds—and counts Danny Miki, Karl Altstaetter, Joe Keatinge, John Singleton, Norm Rapmund, and Sina Grace as their alums.<br /><br />Superheroes were very literally created to give a voice to minorities and the under-represented. We are excited to have you join us in our mission to help continue the legacy of a medium built for ALL of us.<br /><br /><br /><br />
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Help HiDeHo recover & Club for Marginilized Geeks

Now the immediate danger has passed, Mum and Dad are starting to come to terms with the monumental task of rebuilding their home.<br /><br />And while insurance will get them part of the way there, it’s unlikely to cover everything, and it could take some time for that money to come through. <br /><br />In the meantime there is so much they need to organise. They’re putting on a brave face, but it’s pretty overwhelming. The only things that made it out of the house were the clothes on their back (and a couple of guitars).<br /><br />They’ve been so overwhelmed with the offers of support and assistance they’ve received from friends all over the world. So many people have asked us what they can do to help, so we’re setting this up for those who want to help them get back on their feet as soon as possible.<br /><br />Thank you!<br /><br />Love,<br />Ben &amp; Sam<br /><br /><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/44520202_1578224690869326_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" alt="44520202_1578224690869326_r.jpeg" />

Help Andrew & Caroline Rebuild

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