Paris Hilton

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Kalina Silverman / @makebigtalk on Instagram

The Dogist

Patriotic Kenny Foundation

Pattie Gonia

Little Miss Flint

Carlos Eduardo Espina

Samuel Weidenhofer

Ben Saunders - Flawless Cleaning

Peter Bond

That Good News Girl

Ask Uncle Jack

Amy Jandrisevits

FowlMouthFarmer

Tess Bohne

Latonja and Taylor Richardson

Officer Richard Craig

I’m raising funds for my best friend, Jennifer Mercado, and her 16-year-old son, Jameson. On August 25, Jennifer's ex-husband and Jameson’s father, Kevin Mercado, unexpectedly died from an asthma attack. Along with this heartbreaking loss, Jennifer is now facing the financial burden of supporting her household without monthly child support or life insurance. 
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 Jameson has worked hard toward his future and was admitted to a competitive public high school that specializes in the arts. He wants to be a filmmaker, and Jennifer moved them two years ago from the Bronx to Manhattan so he would not have to face a lengthy commute to school each day. Even with the financial strain, Jennifer made that move to give her son a fair chance to focus on school and stay connected to the opportunities he has earned. 
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 This fundraiser will help Jennifer keep stable housing in New York City so Jameson can remain close to his friends and near his school. Donations would make a real difference with the expenses Jennifer now has to carry on her own. 
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 I know Jennifer would never ask for help, but she will be extremely grateful for any contributions. If you’re able, please donate or share this fundraiser.

Jennifer and Jameson’s Support Fund

<div>Weldon Kennedy, the "Mayor of DUMBO", has been integral to the local DUMBO community in Brooklyn for many years and has always looked out for everyone, and been a rare fixture over the past two decades where so much has drastically changed on his block of Jay St. In recent years, Weldon has fallen on very hard times and many of us in community have been trying to find ways to support him. 
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<div>For the last 20 years, The Rude Mechanical Orchestra (RMO), a political project that uses music to support social justice causes in New York City, has been rehearsing in DUMBO on Weldon’s block. During this time, we have had the honor of getting to know Weldon, and we’ve put this fundraiser together as part of the community support. 
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<div>So far, after much effort and bureaucratic hurdles, Weldon is now getting Social Security again, but because of his lack of ID, it has been very hard to get him food stamps, Medicare and Medicaid, all of which he is eligible for. He is on a waitlist for senior housing, and we have been told he has a good chance to getting this in about 10 months. Many of us who have been operating as his financial safety net for the past two years are now tapped out and are asking for help from our networks and community to assist with Weldon's food and housing expenses over the next few months as we work to get him enrolled in the programs he needs.
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Support Weldon, our friend and "Mayor" of DUMBO

<div>
 "Nine years ago, I asked for your help and you graciously came through. Because of recent circumstances I find myself in need of your help again.
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 Because of limited funds I have not been taking the proper care of my teeth. My Social Security barely covers my basic living expenses but it is just high enough to make me ineligible for Medicaid, leaving me with a level of Medicare that covers no dental. We all know how expensive dental care is, and I need a lot of it.
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 Also, I find that because of my strong desire to document my people, the NYC Downtown Queer Arts and Activist communities, I haven’t been paying enough attention to myself. I am forever running to catch an incredible performer or show, and/or engaging with fellow activists as we try our best to turn the tide against all the ugliness going down. In turn, I am not paying proper attention to me - and my health.
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 It's hard to ask for help when I know there are people in worse circumstances but when I feel my life being diminished, depression sets in and all my problems which are by themselves serious, begin to seem insurmountable.
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 I am seeking $25,000 for these dental expenses. The work I need includes multiple implants, extractions, root canals, bridges and permanent / temporary dentures.
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 I know I’m asking a lot, but I know it’s possible. I’ve seen miracles happen when our community comes together, and I’m hoping for one here. Let me just add that doing this -- having to ask for money in this way -- has thrown me about as far out of my comfort zone as I have ever been.
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 But as my dear friend Jane Friedman said “Jackie, this is what a community does. We help each other.” So, I’m taking this step. I’m asking you to help me by giving what you can, and getting the word out to others. Any donation is tremendously appreciated. Sharing this on social media also goes a long way toward reaching my goal. Thank you in advance… every one of you, for helping me smile again."
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HELP JACKIE SMILE AGAIN

<div>Re-upping as we had a setback with our AC and it is nearly 100 degrees here and will be for days. I could only afford a bandaid to get it running but they say it will likely now freeze over because of its age and the wear on it over the years.  Hoping for a little mutual aid from people, if anyone can afford it at this point! Thanks for looking, my whole family and the kitties appreciate you.
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Air Conditioner Repair

<div>Hi, my name is Skye, and I’m Mr Grumpy’s mum. I’ve set up this GoFundMe to help my brave boy in his fight against melanoma.
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<div>My husband Josh (Catdad) works full-time but I’m currently unable to work due to my mental health struggles. I want to do everything I possibly can to give Grumps the best chance of fighting this horrible disease.
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<div>We do have pet insurance but we will still have significant out-of-pocket expenses throughout Grumps treatment. Last week we saw his oncologist and started an immunotherapy treatment called Oncept. The initial treatment course costs approximately $6,000. He will receive treatments every two weeks for eight weeks, followed by a booster every six months, which costs around $1,500 each time.
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<div>Grumps will need regular blood tests, ongoing medications, and repeat CT scans to monitor his progress. It is estimated that he will require CT scans every three months, with each scan costing approximately $2,600.
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<div>I know times are incredibly tough with the current cost of living and I understand if you’re not in a position to donate but just sharing this fundraiser would mean the absolute world to us.
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<div>If you’ve followed us for a while, you’ll know that my cats are my world. They are the reason I get up every day and provide me with so much love and emotional support.
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<div>We’ve shared Mr Grumpy’s journey on Instagram over the past three years and he’s overcome so much already. He deserves the chance to enjoy many more happy &amp; healthy years.
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<div>Thank you so much for taking the time to read our story. Whether you donate, share, or simply keep Grumps in your thoughts we are truly grateful for your support.
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<div>If you have any questions, I’m more than happy to share his medical reports, test results, or answer anything you’d like to know. ❤️
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Help Mr Grumpy Fight Cancer

On Election Day, while I was working as a Poll Site Manager for the Onondaga County Board of Elections in Syracuse, I had a pretty unsettling run-in with federal agents over something I posted on social media. It’s the kind of situation that makes you stop and think about free speech and how far government authority can go. Honestly, it shook me, and I don’t think it’s something that should just be brushed off. 
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 Earlier that day, I got a voicemail saying they were trying to reach me. I called back, but they were pretty vague—just mentioned something about a post from January. Since I was in the middle of my shift and couldn’t leave the polling site, I told them where I was. Later on, two ICE agents showed up while I was working as a Poll Site Manager for the Onondaga County BOE. They said who they were and handed me a warning notice about an Instagram post, claiming I had doxxed an ICE agent. I don’t agree with that at all. They asked me to sign the document, and I decided not to. The whole thing was recorded on multiple devices, and local media has already picked it up. 
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 It just doesn’t sit right with me. The whole situation raises a lot of questions about free speech, government overreach, and how election workers are treated while they’re doing their jobs. At this point, I’m trying to figure out what my options are, so I’m looking for a civil rights attorney who can help me understand what steps I should take next. Legal help like this adds up fast. Even just getting advice and having someone review everything can be expensive, and if it turns into something bigger, the costs only go up from there. 
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 Funds raised will go toward hiring a civil rights or defense attorney, covering court fees and other legal expenses if needed, getting transcripts, records, and other important documents, and preserving and organizing evidence. Any extra funds will only be used for costs directly related to this situation. 
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 I’m asking for your support to help me defend my civil liberties and ensure that election workers are treated fairly. Your help will make a real difference as I navigate this challenging situation.

Help Me Defend My Civil Liberties

<div>Hi, my name is Lauren Linnebur. I am a 29-year-old woman reclaiming my life and fighting for justice and protection after surviving extreme abuse and false-imprisonment at the hands of my ex-husband.
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<div>In 2022, my abuser isolated me in an RV in the Nevada desert, where he psychologically, sexually, and physically tortured me for 7 months. He beat and raped me on a near-daily basis, fired guns at me, trafficked me, denied me water and sleep, poured soap in my eyes, forced me to eat sand, dirt, and joint butts, humiliated me, played russian roulette with my life and sadly, so much more. My victim impact statement, included below, goes into further detail.
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<div>He recorded his abuse of me, and I have hours upon hours of that footage and audio.
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<div>In 2023, I fled my abuser and went into hiding for nearly a year. I have been pursuing justice and protection through the legal system ever since. So far, he has only been sentenced to 30 days in jail and 7 years probation for a felony violation of my protective order in Texas.
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<div>He has not been charged for any of his crimes against me in Nevada, despite my repeated efforts and mountains of evidence.
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<div>I have flown to Nevada twice to file police reports with the Nye County Sheriff's Department - first in September 2023, after which I never received any follow-up and was later told by the department that they had "no record" of my report.
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<div>I flew out and filed again in May 2025, and there has still been no movement on my case. I have spent over a year trying to reach the detective assigned to my case and keep getting the runaround, all while my abuser remains free, able to hurt me or others, with the system showing him time and again that there are no real consequences for his actions.
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<div>He spent 18 months on house arrest and violated it numerous times without consequence. He violated his bond conditions repeatedly without consequence. He has gone on to harm others and commit subsequent crimes, again without consequence.
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<div>In June 2026, I shared a video of my abuse, and it gained attention on Instagram (@rickyylaurenn).
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<div>Since then, I've received an outpouring of love and support, and many people have asked how they can help. This GoFundMe is in response to all of the requests I have received for a platform through which to donate, to support me as I work to rebuild my life and continue fighting for protection and justice.
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<div>Please follow my Instagram, @RICKYYLAURENN, for real-time updates on my pursuit of criminal prosecution and to view evidence from my case.
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<div>Thank you for all the love and support, and for having my back. I've been fighting alone for years - bleeding dry financially, retraumatized by the very system that's supposed to protect me, and continuously harassed by my ex. This is the first time I haven't felt alone, and I can't tell you how much weight you've lifted off me by being here with me in this chapter. Thank you. Thank you.
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<div><em>Below is my victim impact statement that I read in court for his violation of protective order felony charge:</em>
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<div>Your Honor, I stand before you today not just as a victim of a repeated violation of a protective order, but as someone who has lived through the relentless, violent, and at times deranged behavior of this man. I need the court to understand the gravity of who we are dealing with. This is not just a minor infraction; this is part of a deeply disturbing pattern of intentional harm.
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<div>Your Honor, I ask for patience today as I go into details in my statement. I cannot speak to the weight that these repeated violations have had on me without telling the court the context leading up to violations. 
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<div>Your Honor, I am here before you today as a 28-year-old woman who has spent the last two years of my life escaping My Abuser and fighting for my safety. My story, however, does not being only two years ago. I have been suffering at the hands of My Abuser since I was just 19 years old, freshly out of high school, while My Abuser was a 31-year-old man - Twelve years my senior. What should have been a professional relationship quickly became something far more exploitative and predatory: a rushed marriage that involved grooming, control, abuse and calculated and intentional harm -  leaving me with lasting scars.
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<div>In the early years of our marriage, My Abuser did what abusers do: he wore me down, he isolated me from my family and friends, he controlled every aspect of my life and eroded my voice, my confidence, my identity and my self esteem. He was deeply psychologically abusive, sexually exploitative and instilled a constant sense of fear in me. 
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<div>By year 4, the abuse became monstrous- physically violent, sexually perverse and coldly calculated. 
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<div>He tortured me — methodically, deliberately, and with unmistakable intent.
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<div>He brought me to a remote desert in Nevada.
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<div>There, he isolated me — completely.
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<div>No neighbors.
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<div>No help.
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<div>And for seven months,
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<div>He beat me and raped me on a near-daily basis.
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<div>He starved me of water and sleep.
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<div>He tied my wrists.
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<div>He forced me to hold painful, humiliating physical positions — for hours.
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<div>He shot at me.
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<div>Multiple times.
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<div>And after one shot missed, he even mocked the danger, acknowledging that ricochets can be lethal and yet he still chose to do it. 
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<div>Another time, I had my back to him and he narrowly missed -  with the bullet going over my shoulder. 
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<div>He beat me while I was holding my cat, a cat that’s incredibly near and dear to me that I have had since I was 6 years old.
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<div>He threw eggs at me.
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<div>And made me eat them — shells and all.
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<div>He held my head back and poured half a bottle of dial soap in my eyes.
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<div>He watched me suffer for hours before finally letting me rinse my eyes in a moth-infested hot tub that he closed on top of me.
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<div>In this moment, I felt both fortunate and terrified as I snuck a few gulps — because he was not allowing me to drink water. 
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<div>He beat me as he walked me backwards for 90 feet.
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<div>He made me throw my wedding band into the desert brush.
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<div>Which at the time, devastatingly broke my heart.
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<div>He made me eat dirt.
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<div>Sand.
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<div>Marijuana butts.
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<div>He slammed my head into the ground until I blacked out.
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<div>He held a gun to my stomach — Powerless,  I watched while he toyed with whether or not to fire.
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<div>He held my face to a burning gas stove and told me:
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<div>“You’ll never be pretty again.”
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<div>He faked his own suicide.
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<div>Right after my uncle had actually taken his own life.
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<div>He kept my phone from me for extended periods. 
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<div>He sent himself private and intimate things of mine, dating back to when I was 12 years old.
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<div>He deleted a tremendous amount of things I can never get back.
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<div>Photos. Messages.
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<div>Pieces of my life that are now gone.
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<div>He used that same access to contact dozens of my friends and people I knew,
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<div>To tell them lies, to smear my name, to destroy my reputation and further isolate me from anybody who might support me. 
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<div>To this day, some of those relationships are not healed. 
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<div>The psychological abuse was relentless.
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<div>He accused me of cheating with dozens, even hundreds of men.
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<div>He manipulated me into believing that my own family had abused me,
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<div>that they had prostituted me.
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<div>He told me I was committing shameful acts that I couldn’t remember. He went as far as to stage scenarios to make me question reality and my own sanity. 
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<div>He became obsessed with the idea that I was poisoning him.
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<div>And he held me at gun point and beat me repeatedly,
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<div>With the intent of beating a confession out of me.
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<div>He hoped to use a false-confession as a self-defense claim if his abuse ever came to light.
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<div>This man doesn’t just abuse.
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<div>He plots.
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<div>He schemes.
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<div>And he tries to cover his tracks.
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<div>My Abuser kept me from my family during two major deaths —
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<div>the first two losses my family had ever experienced.
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<div>One of those deaths was my grandfather.
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<div>My favorite person in the entire world.
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<div>And on the day he died…
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<div>My Abuser raped me.
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<div>While pretending to be him.
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<div>He demanded I call him “Grampy” —
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<div>the same loving name I had always called my grandfather.
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<div>And he didn’t stop there.
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<div>He did this with other family members too.
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<div>He raped me while pretending to be them or demanding that we imagine they were participating.
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<div>He raped me — regularly.
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<div>He said he was training me… to be a sex slave.
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<div>He would force me to endure hours and hours of physically and mentally demanding rapes.
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<div>He told me he got off on beating me.
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<div>He even ejaculated at the mere thought of beating me. 
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<div>He fantasized about targeting the most vulnerable —
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<div>the elderly, the disabled, even children.
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<div>And he didn’t whisper these things in shame.
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<div>He spoke about them proudly.
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<div>A significant part of my torture was being forced to listen to these fantasies.
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<div>He expressed, in elaborate detail, his belief that society could be "sexually liberated" if parents had sex with their children starting from birth.
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<div>And it did not stop at words. He would show me photographs and videos of young children on social media, pointing to them and stating his desire to rape them or pay to have them raped.
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<div>When I would recoil in horror and discomfort - he would punish me for not participating in his fantasies. My refusal to engage became a trigger for my abuse.
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<div>He took his abuse to a place most people cannot even imagine.
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<div>In June of 2023, I was able to leave My Abuser. 
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<div>That’s when the reality of the man I married, and everything I had endured, began to sink in.
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<div>Including the reality that My Abuser had documented everything….
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<div>His cruelty. His control. His crimes. He left a trail of his own abuse. 
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<div>Your Honor, 
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<div>Much of what I’ve shared with you today —
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<div>He video and audio recorded.
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<div>Some of the recordings were even done in interview-style settings —
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<div>As if my suffering was something to direct and capture…em.)
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<div>While I spent months going through all the evidence in hiding,
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<div>My Abuser continued to harass me.
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<div><br />
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<div>He showed up in the middle of the night
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<div>and banged around the outside of my home —for hours.
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<div>I had nightmares following that event for weeks. 
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<div>He circled my house throughout all hours of the night.
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<div>He would try to contact me to no end.
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<div><br />
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<div>And by August of 2023,
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<div>I had secured an ex parte protective order.
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<div>But that didn’t stop My Abuser.
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<div><br />
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<div>He was relentless.
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<div>Calling, texting, messaging
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<div>from different numbers and different accounts —
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<div>I became terrified of my own phone.
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<div>I began to bear witness to my own trauma. How my body was responding. 
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<div>I shook almost constantly. 
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<div>I jumped at the sound of nearly anything - routinely, even just my AC turning on. 
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<div>My nervous system was stuck - frozen in a state of high alert and terror.
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<div>And every time My Abuser contacted me, it sent a shock through my entire system. 
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<div>I was terrified.
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<div>So I kept my head down.
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<div>I was silent toward him.
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<div>I was silent online.
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<div>I went into hiding.
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<div><br />
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<div>Over the last two years,
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<div>I have moved ten times in attempts to make sure My Abuser didn’t know where to find me. 
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<div><br />
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<div>I’ve hidden my personal vehicle and have switched between rental cars repeatedly.
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<div>I’ve bled dry financially just to stay alive. 
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<div>And for nearly an entire year, I was too terrified to leave my house. 
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<div><br />
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<div>Night after night, I lived like prey and in constant fear.
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<div>I sat awake,
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<div>peeking out the blinds,
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<div>trying to breathe through the fear —
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<div>coming to terms with everything he showed me he was capable of.
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<div><br />
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<div>Still - He violated my protective order —
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<div>Again and again. I remained his victim. 
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<div><br />
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<div>He tried to extort my mother.
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<div>He sent nude photos of me to others.
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<div><br />
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<div>He weaponized welfare checks repeatedly. 
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<div>He made reports to the police that I had poisoned him —
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<div>and then asked officers to bring him to me under the pretense of checking on my safety.
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<div><br />
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<div>He told the world he was “a man on a mission.”
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<div>He posted endless lies about me online.
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<div>He launched a full-blown smear campaign.
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<div>He called me an attempted murderer.
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<div>A thief.
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<div>A prostitute.
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<div>He wrote that I was “probably buried somewhere”
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<div>He turned strangers against me.
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<div>He rallied an entire Facebook community
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<div>to hate me, to attack me.
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<div>He mocked my abuse.
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<div>He made himself the victim.
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<div>And to this day —
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<div>he still does.
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<div>In a disgusting insult to the Me Too movement,
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<div>he — a known abuser — started a “He Too” movement.
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<div>He even asked for donations.
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<div>He campaigned, I quote:
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<div>“Ever heard ‘all they gotta do is accuse you’ and your whole life is ruined?
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<div>Time we all had a war chest and an ability to fight against the very real abuse we endure every day. Good men are forced into exile. It stops now.”
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<div>We need our voice too.”
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<div><br />
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<div>Meanwhile - I was the one in exile.
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<div>And I hadn’t said a word.
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<div>Not publicly.
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<div>Not about what he did.
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<div>Not even in response to his harassment or online abuse.
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<div><br />
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<div>He was creating a false narrative — preemptively —
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<div>To make people believe he was the victim and to scare me into silence.
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<div><br />
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<div>And to this day,
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<div>he shows no remorse.
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<div><br />
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<div>After the court issued a two-year protective order with a finding of family violence,
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<div>he walked out of the courthouse and posted online:
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<div>that he was “off and running,” on course to changing the world and 
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<div>that he was feeling “bombastic,” 
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<div>alongside a smiling photo of himself outside the courthouse. 
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<div>He was court-ordered to complete BIPP (The Batterers Intervention Prevention Program).
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<div>He heard the judge’s findings of family violence.
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<div>He was served a protective order.
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<div>And still — as recently as a few months ago,
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<div>he was asking me to reconcile.
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<div>And continues to deny ever laying a hand on me.
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<div><br />
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<div>In March, I started to speak out about his abuse publicly for the first time. Subsequently - he violated my protective order once again. 
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<div><br />
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<div>And all the while, he hasn’t just been terrorizing my life.
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<div>He has been victimizing others during this same time. Most of those charges have been dropped, some of the victims have chosen not to pursue justice because they - understandably so - just want to move on with their lives. 
</div>
<div>Victims from the past, as well, are fearful to come forward out of fear of My Abuser’s retaliation. 
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<div>My Abuser’s actions have left lasting scars on my life and the lives of others.
</div>
<div>I have been yearning for a sense of security and I have been fighting for justice. 
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<div>He has violated my protective order, violated his house arrest, violated his conditions of bond, committed additional crimes - on many numerous occasions. I don’t feel any sense of assurance that he will abide by the law going forward. 
</div>
<div>Additionally, it is deeply concerning to me that this will be his second dismissal of a felony drug possession charge. Drugs have been a part of his pattern of abuse. To let him off twice is injustice in preventing this man from causing further harm. 
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>And I fear what message this will send him… 
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><br />
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<div>When the gravity of his behavior 
</div>
<div>the repeated violations,
</div>
<div>The subsequent crimes, 
</div>
<div>the disturbing patterns,
</div>
<div>And the intentional disregard for the law —
</div>
<div>Is met with just 30 days in jail. 
</div>
<div><br />
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<div>I remain in fear. 
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<div>And I don’t get to move on as easily.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>He didn’t just hurt me in the moment —
</div>
<div>he rewired my entire sense of safety, of reality. 
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>But after everything I have endured, I stand here today not as someone who is broken, but as someone determined to ensure he is held accountable. I refuse to let his actions define me, and I will not stop speaking my truth or seeking justice.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Thank you
</div>

Justice & Support for @rickyylaurenn

<div>On June 13th, 2026, 10 minutes after celebrating the Knicks championship win, our dog was fatally shot right outside our home. Jameson was 2 years old, and he was taken from us too soon. Anyone who’s met Jameson would tell you he is the sweetest boy in the world. Please help us raise money to get Justice for Jameson and any cremation fees.
</div>

Justice for Jameson: Help Us Honor His Memory

<div>Edit: We want to thank everyone for their donations, we never expected this much support this quickly and we appreciate it all so much. Funds raised in excess of her expenses will be donated to The Committee to Protect Journalists, Crisis Ready Media, Legal funds for photojournalists, and Freedom of the Press Foundation.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>My photojournalist sister, Angelina Katsanis, was injured and equipment stolen while on assignment for the Associated Press covering the anti-ICE protests at Delaney Hall in Newark on May 30. See below her account of the event.
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<div>I am Angelina's brother and am organizing this fundraiser on her behalf. All donations will be transferred directly to Angelina Katsanis and used to cover the expenses described below, including replacing stolen equipment, medical expenses, transportation costs, lost income, and other related expenses.
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<div><br />
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<div>This was not her first attack at Delaney Hall. On Thursday she was pepper sprayed in the face by an ICE officer. The intentional attacks on the press need to stop. Angelina represents only one of the journalists that are repeatedly attacked for covering protests of immigration policies.
</div>
<div><br />
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<div>Contact Evan or Oliver Katsanis with any questions about this page.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Angelina’s account:
</div>
<div>While on the front line of the Delaney Hall protests and police force on Saturday night, photojournalist Angelina Katsanis was hit in the knee by a 6-foot wooden 2x4 beam. The cops were still pushing forward and firing rubber bullets, tear gas, and flash bangs, so she had to run/hobble another half mile to safety on the injured leg. She left her camera bag with an AirTag in it when police started pushing forward and decided to retrieve it after the fighting had subsided and she could get through the line as press.
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<div><br />
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<div>After receiving amazing care from the medic team on the ground, she was put in a wheelchair and went with fellow journalists Vincent Alban, Izzy Brourman, and Peter Hambrecht back to the front line to ask the cops to let her through and retrieve her bag
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<div>(See video here: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reels/DY_S-PQtGX7/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reels/DY_S-PQtGX7/" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.instagram.com/reels/DY_S-PQtGX7/</a></a>). However, the bag had already been taken.
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<div>After tracking the bag, Angelina’s boyfriend Sam and colleague Vincent Angelina’s found the AirTag removed from her keys/bag and tossed on the ground.
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<div><br />
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<div>Now, Angelina has lost access to her car and has lost her backpack with camera and lenses. Some of her costs include medical expenses for the knee injury, replacing her gear (about $10k worth, most notably her Sony A1, 70-200, 16-35, and some high-storage CF express cards), transportation while moving around the city on crutches, tow truck costs to relocate the car before the bag thief can find it, and re-keying services to re-key her car and house.
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<div><br />
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<div>- Angelina’s lost items:
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<div>- Sony A1 ($5,700)
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<div>- Sony 70-200 lens ($3,000)
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<div>- Zeiss 16-35 ($1,000)
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<div>- Think tank Shapeshifter III backpack ($330)
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<div>- 480 CF express card ($424)
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<div>- 160 CF express card ($190)
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<div>- 4x 126GB UHS II Sd cards ($123 x4 = $492)
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<div>- Large wattage power bank ($120)
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<div>- Anker multi port ($80)
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<div>- Assorted cables ($70)
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<div>- 4x Sony batteries ($88 x4 = $352)
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<div><br />
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<div>- Other expenses:
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<div>- Car access/entry $96
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<div>- Car key replacement $300
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<div>- Multiple tow trucks $750
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<div>- Uber to the car $90
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<div>- Lost work $2100
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<div>- Medical bills TBD
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<div>- House rekeying TBD
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<div>- Pride &amp; trust in humanity $10000000000
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<div><br />
</div>
<div>cover photo by Will Allen-DuPraw
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Support Angelina After Delaney Hall Attack

<div>Hi all,
</div>
<div>This is a fundraising page for LGBTQ legend Joan Jett Blakk (Terence Smith.) Joan was the first drag queen to run for US President. She ran in 1992 and 1996. When she ran against George H. Bush in 1992 her campaign slogan was, "Lick Bush in '92!" Joan is a sex positive pioneer! Joan was doing gender queer and drag performance way before Rupaul Drag Race was ever thought of. And as so many of our LGBT leaders are, Joan is African American and led the charge as an out queer person.
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<div>Unfortunately, Joan had a major stroke towards the end of April. She is currently still hospitalized and will require many months of skilled rehab to recover from the stroke. We are raising money for Joan as her medical bills will pile up. Could you assist with any level of donation to aid our gay elder? If you would like a suggested donation, $25 or more would be awesome.
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<div>Links below show more about Terence/Joan.
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<div><a href="https://breakwaterstudios.com/the-beauty-president/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Joan's documentary</a>
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<div><a href="https://www.steppenwolf.org/tickets--events/seasons-/2018-19/ms-blakk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2019 play at acclaimed Steppenwolf theater</a>
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<div><a href="https://chicagolgbthalloffame.org/terence-alan-smith/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame</a>
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Help LGBTQ Pioneer Joan Jett Blakk Heal

<div>I am a human rights activist and <strong>fighting for my community</strong>. I am going through mental health issues that have stopped me from going to work. I am in need of funds for <strong>rent, utilities, and legal fees</strong>. I am passionate about defending my community. <strong>I appreciate my community for always supporting me during these hard times.</strong>

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Standing with Our Activist Through Tough Times

<div>Help Get The Warrior Goddess for the Resistance Outta Here.
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<div>For those who don't know me, my name is Nadine Seiler, Warrior Goddess for the Resistance (although I'm temporarily the Messenger for the Resistance). I'm a solo agent of Resistance, against the tRump fascist regime since January 20, 2017 (even protested Biden's genocide). Please Google me.
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<div>As the world sees, the government of the United States of America wants to purge immigrants (my original shithole country is Trinidad and Tobago ), whether undocumented or naturalized. I'm the latter, but <strong>I would like to "self-deport," because unfortunately, this iteration of "America" isn't the one I bought into, and I feel it's not safe for me to be here anymore.</strong>
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<div><br />
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<div>To this end, I'm trying to fund my exit. This is over a year in the making, but believe you me, I'm still plotting my way out, but I do need help. Contrary to popular belief, George Soros and the dark money forces for democracy don't know I exist. My generous friends, especially my ooman Robin! and social media supporters have been there for me, but I do need to ramp up my efforts and leave before I'm next to be detained by ICEtapo.
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<div>I create simple art and currently have my works available on TeePublic, but the $2 a t-shirt is not enough to fund my way out of the United States. I'll be embarking on offering simple jewelry (messaging for the Resistance, obviously), and to do so, <strong>I need a computer, printer, and other supplies.</strong>
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<div><br />
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<div>I'm currently living off my 401K, and it's almost depleted. <strong>If folks are so inclined, I would appreciate help to cover the purchase of the supplies.</strong> In the Twilight Zone where we currently reside, racists are becoming millionaires on GoFundMe and other sites, so I'm trying my hand to see if I can garner support to Get The Warrior Goddess Outta Here.
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<div><br />
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<div>Thanking you in advance.
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Help Get Warrior Goddess for the Resistance Outta Here 

<div>Mary “Ma Mary” Hill is the co-founder of CAUSE, the grassroots union of Amazon workers in the Carolinas. She’s fighting this two trillion dollar corporate giant tooth-and-nail to treat workers right, and inspired countless others to join the fight.
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<div>Ma Mary just turned 72, and she’s still working in the warehouse because Amazon provides no real retirement benefits. Mary puts in ten-and-half hour days, working while still fighting cancer with a chemo pump in her liver and leading the union forward to take on Jeff Bezos and the billionaires for working people.
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<div>Ever since growing up poor in Jim Crow Louisiana, Mary has worked her whole life.  <strong>It’s time for her  to be able to retire from Amazon full-time – and to devote her energy to fighting for Amazon workers full-time!   </strong>She’s paid a poverty wage at Amazon, has big medical bills, and needs our support.   And we need her leadership more than ever.
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<div>Let’s make it happen for Mary!
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<div>Please give what you can to support this wonderful and inspiring woman!
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Support Ma Mary!  A Legend of the Southern Labor Movement

<div><strong>Supporting Emine Yilmaz: Resilience, Recovery, and Creativity (March 14th, 2026)</strong>
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<div>Nearly three years ago, my life changed in an instant after a tragic incident on the New York City subway that left me paralyzed with a severe spinal cord injury.
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<div>When I woke up in the ICU after surgery, I had a feeding tube in my mouth and could barely move. Doctors later told me that my neck had been broken at the C4–C5 level and that I had undergone 14 hours of surgery to stabilize my spine. In that moment, everything about my life felt uncertain.
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<div>Before my injury, I worked as an artist and graphic designer, and creativity has always been at the center of my life.
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<div>The first year after my injury was incredibly difficult. With the care of my mother and sister, the support of friends, and a lot of determination, I slowly began the long process of recovery.
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<div>Over the past three years, through rehabilitation and several operations, I have reached meaningful milestones. Today I can use a computer again, return to my art, and manage small but important daily tasks like eating with one hand and brushing my teeth. Each of these steps represents many hours of therapy, patience, and hard work.
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<div><br />
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<div>The support I have received from this community has made a real difference in my life. Donations have helped cover essential expenses, including rent, groceries, medical needs, and adaptive tools that make daily life more accessible and independent.
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<div><br />
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<div>Recovery from a spinal cord injury is a long journey. With continued support, I hope to keep moving forward with rehabilitation while creating a stable and accessible living environment that supports my independence and allows me to continue my creative work.
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<div><br />
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<div>Thank you for being part of this journey.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>— Emine
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>How You Can Support Emine</strong>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>Donate</strong>
</div>
<div>Your contribution directly supports Emine’s continued recovery, adaptive needs, and daily living expenses.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>Share</strong>
</div>
<div>Sharing Emine’s story helps expand the circle of support around her.
</div>
<div>Encourage
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<div><br />
</div>
<div>Messages of encouragement and kindness continue to mean the world to Emine and those close to her.
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<div><br />
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<div><strong>Discover Emine’s Artistic World</strong>
</div>
<div><br />
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<div>See how Emine's art has changed. The image on the top, titled <strong>'Self-portrait in pandemic' </strong>is one of her art pieces from before the attack. The image below, titled <strong>'My Emotional Support' </strong>is from after, reflecting her art now.
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</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/73051759_1773705657736022_r.jpeg" width="100%" />
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</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/73051759_1773538659827577_r.jpeg" width="100%" />
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<div>You can explore the rest of Emine’s artwork here:
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<div><a href="https://www.emyilmaz.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">www.emyilmaz.com</a>
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<div><br />
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<div><strong>Follow Emine’s Journey</strong>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Instagram
</div>
<div><a href="https://www.instagram.com/emineyilmazn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/emineyilmazn/" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.instagram.com/emineyilmazn/</a></a>
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<div><br />
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<div>Emine will also begin sharing more of her journey through her social media channels in the near future. Please consider following her accounts to stay connected with her story and creative work.
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<div><br />
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<div>In the coming months, Emine also hopes to personally reach out and express her gratitude to the many people who have supported her along the way.
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<div>Your support is more than a donation. It is a reminder that Emine is surrounded by a community that believes in her strength, creativity, and future.
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<div>Thank you for standing with Emine.
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<div><strong>News Coverage</strong>
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<div><strong><em>The New York Times (March 16, 2026)</em></strong>
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<div><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/15/nyregion/subway-artist-recovery-trial.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&amp;unlocked_article_code=1.TVA.v8j_.MuzRUPiweD1z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/15/nyregion/subway-artist-recovery-trial.html?unlocked_article_code=1.TVA.v8j_.MuzRUPiweD1z&amp;smid=nytcore-ios-share" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/15/nyregion/subway-artist-recovery-trial.html?unlocked_article_code=1.TVA.v8j_.MuzRUPiweD1z&amp;smid=nytcore-ios-share</a></a>
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<div><br />
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<div>The New York Times
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<div><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/25/nyregion/subway-attack-woman-shoved-manhattan.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/25/nyregion/subway-attack-woman-shoved-manhattan.html" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/25/nyregion/subway-attack-woman-shoved-manhattan.html</a></a>
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<div>NBC News
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<div><a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/artist-instantly-paralyzed-shoved-moving-subway-train-new-york-prosecu-rcna86160" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/artist-instantly-paralyzed-shoved-moving-subway-train-new-york-prosecu-rcna86160" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/artist-instantly-paralyzed-shoved-moving-subway-train-new-york-prosecu-rcna86160</a></a>
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<div><br />
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<div>The Independent
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<div><a href="https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/crime/kamal-semrade-subway-nyc-attack-b2344481.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/crime/kamal-semrade-subway-nyc-attack-b2344481.html" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/crime/kamal-semrade-subway-nyc-attack-b2344481.html</a></a>
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<div><br />
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<div>New York Daily News
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<div><a href="https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/ny-woman-shoved-manhattan-subway-train-spinal-injuries-20230522-q5bhp2rstvgwtcc2fmt6r6vqwe-story.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/ny-woman-shoved-manhattan-subway-train-spinal-injuries-20230522-q5bhp2rstvgwtcc2fmt6r6vqwe-story.html" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/ny-woman-shoved-manhattan-subway-train-spinal-injuries-20230522-q5bhp2rstvgwtcc2fmt6r6vqwe-story.html</a></a>
</div>

Help Emine's recovery from a Tragic Attack

<div>Please help support the family of <strong>Ryan Hinton</strong>, born April 19, 2007, killed by Cincinnati Police on the morning of May 1, 2025. <strong>We are seeking justice for Ryan in the form of legal representation and a proper memorial for his life.</strong> Toriyn Jackson is Ryan's mother, and funds raised will only be used for Ryan's cause and go towards supporting his mother and siblings during this tragic time.
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<div>Thank you for all of your support, prayers, comments, thoughts, and acknowledgments.
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Help Honor Ryan Hinton's Memory and Seek Justice

<div>UPDATE FROM LAUREN, PENNY’S MOM:
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<div>Hello everyone! I just wanted to apologize for not updating you all on where your money is going. We have been working really hard and your money is helping to affect change for dogs in New York!
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<div>Firstly we are using the funds for Penny’s vet bills for the rest of 2025. The insurance we have had a cap at $7,500 and our bills were over $12,000. We used the money from the GFM for the difference, but also we have no more insurance for Penny for the rest of the year. Your money will help get Penny veterinary care for the rest of the year!
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<div>Secondly we are using the money to affect change! Penny’s Law was drafted and sent to the NY Assembly. We hope to bring it to a vote before the end of session, so we have been working hard to lobby lawmakers to support Penny’s Law. You can read more about the bullet points of the law here:
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<div><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uMwOvJSjS3L5kMeFfbLwIacgc02OTvjo/view?usp=drive_link" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uMwOvJSjS3L5kMeFfbLwIacgc02OTvjo/view?usp=drive_link" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uMwOvJSjS3L5kMeFfbLwIacgc02OTvjo/view?usp=drive_link</a></a>
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<div>Or you can read the actual bill here:
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<div><a href="https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A8462/amendment/A#:~:text=2025%252DA8462%2520%252D%2520Summary,all%2520dogs%2520must%2520be%2520restrained" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A8462/amendment/A#:~:text=2025%2DA8462%20%2D%20Summary,all%20dogs%20must%20be%20restrained" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A8462/amendment/A#:~:text=2025%2DA8462%20%2D%20Summary,all%20dogs%20must%20be%20restrained</a></a>
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<div>Thirdly, in addition to the aforementioned distribution of funds, we also will need to use some money to hold Mr. Columbus accountable. Unfortunately, because this is a civil matter, it is totally financially on us to make sure he complies with any court order.
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<div>And finally, after this year when we have insurance back and have hopefully made meaningful legislative change, we will donate the rest of the money to No Kill Shelters, starting in the Upper West Side.
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<div>This is our plan!
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<div>I want to be a good steward of the money you so graciously blessed us with. Your funds have already helped us pay off Penny’s remaining vet balance and helped to bring our coalition to Albany so they can lobby for Penny’s Law, so thank you so much for that. I hope that I can make all of you proud. If we can make meaningful strides in making this world a little bit safer for our furry family members, I’ll feel like we’ve done some good. Thank you for being a part of making that happen.
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<div>#JusticeForPenny
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<div><br />
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<div>ORIGINAL POST:
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<div>On Sat May 3 at 7:30pm, Penny, a 16lb chihuahua mix rescue, was brutally attacked by two American Bully dogs on the Upper West Side. The owners not only did nothing during the attack to help, but they also fled the scene, dragged a fellow bystander who was trying to help away from the dogs, AND intentionally smashed someone’s phone when they tried to record them.
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<div>Penny was rushed to the ER and had to have three hours of emergency surgery. Thankfully, she’s out of surgery with a lot of stitches, but as of this afternoon, she’s still in the ICU on heavy duty pain meds and being monitored. And we’re still terrified.
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<div>After more research and the help of eyewitnesses, FB groups and other UWS forums, we found out these dogs killed another dog in January in Central Park and the owners fled then, too (we have photo evidence that it’s the same person and dogs). There’s also a dangerous dog report on these dogs already and nothing has been done.
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<div>I know Penny's owner wasn’t in a mental place to set anything up, but I’m putting this out there incase, whether it be for unexpected medical bills (Full Disclosure: Penny DOES have pet insurance, but the owners had to pay $7,000 upfront just to start the procedure and 18 hours later another $4,000, so there was concern about what the end total will be and if there will be any portion that wouldn't be reimbursed), or any legal fees (the police say because dogs are “property” in New York, and there was no attack on humans, all we could do is file a civil suit, but we want to hopefully find a way to get these dogs off the street and hold these people accountable so no other owner or pup has to go through this terrible situation).
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<div>Thank you so much in advance for any help you could give. And more importantly, regardless of any donations, thank you to anyone and everyone who has given their support over the last 24 hours, whether it be around the neighborhood or online on Reddit and Facebook, thank you so so so much for just being there. You have no idea how much it all means.
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<div>We’ll keep you updated as we get more information and as Penny progresses.
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Help Penny Recover from Brutal Dog Attack

<div>Hi my name is jermainegreaves and I am now 5,000bbehind on rent I need fund to catch up now and be able to organize my fund easier it urgent it by may 1
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Jermaine Greaves rent fundraiser

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<div>HELP FIRAS AND HIS FAMILY ESCAPE THE WAR IN GAZA
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<div>Hello, my name is Firas, a Palestinian enduring the
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<div><strong>Our story</strong>
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<div>Before the war, I was a computer engineering student at
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<div>destroyed. We once lived a normal life, just like everyone
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<div><strong>The War's Impact</strong>
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<div>On the eve of the war, I was preparing to celebrate my
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<div>bombs, and our joy turned into despair. On October 18,
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<div>while we were at home, bombs began raining down on
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<div><strong>Seeking Safety in Rafah</strong>
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<div>We fled to Rafah, hoping for safety, but it is not safe
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<div>either. Bombs fall on Rafah daily, and we live in constant fear, unsure of what the future holds. There is truly no
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<div><strong>Our Urgent Plea for Help</strong>
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<div>We desperately need to leave Gaza as soon as possible. I
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<div>have created this GoFundMe campaign, urgently
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<div>appealing for your support. Please help my family and
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<div>me escape this dire situation. Your donation can make a
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<div>life-saving difference for us. No one should have to live
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<div>through this nightmare.
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<div><strong>How You Can Help</strong>
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<div><em>Donate</em>: Any amount can help us move towards safety.
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<div><em>Share</em>: Please share our story with your friends, family,
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<div>and social networks.
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<div><em>Support</em>: Any form of support is greatly appreciated.
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<div>Thank you for your kindness and generosity. Together,
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<div>we can find a way out of this horror.
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<div>Thank you all.
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<div>My name is Lauren Cook from the United Kingdom and I am posting this Gofundme on behalf of Feras Abdul Latif from Gaza. All the money raised in this Gofundme will be transferred to Feras via international bank transfer. 
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<div>Feras was studying computer engineering at Al-Quds Open University before the war started in Gaza. Around 15th November, Israeli forces bombed the Gaza branch of Al-Quds Open University, destroying its building. 
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<div>Feras needs to raise $100,000 for travel costs for himself and his family to leave Gaza. His family include 8 adults and 8 children, including a newly born 2 week old baby. 
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<div>This is his house after it got partially burned. Since this photo, it has been completely destroyed by bombing. 
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<div>Feras had to leave his house in the South Sands area of Gaza and is now living in cramped conditions with his family. The tent is far too small to house all 15 members of his family. Feras regularly has to go hunting for food and water to feed his family, and needs to find nappies and food to feed the baby. 
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<div>If 2,000 people donated $50, we would have enough money to evacuate Feras and his family from a life of terror in Gaza. It just means instead of treating yourself to 2 coffees, you can contribute to saving the lives of an entire family. Which matters more to you? 
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<div>Please think, if it were the other way around, would you want people to help you too? 
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Help Firas and his family buy life necessities and treatment

<div>Many of you have seen the Facebook post regarding my sweet friend Sophy and her husband Juan. If you have not, the post from their attorney can be viewed here:

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<div><a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/161cQCTE43?mibextid=wwXIfr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/161cQCTE43/?mibextid=wwXIfr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/161cQCTE43/?mibextid=wwXIfr" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.facebook.com/share/161cQCTE43/?mibextid=wwXIfr</a></a>

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<div>I know that politics play a huge part in this unimaginable situation but I would like to put that aspect aside and focus on what is truly important: Juan, Sophy and their children. Humanity. Being a community that comes together to help good people in their time of need. Juan and Sophy are good people. GREAT people. They deserve all

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<div>the support and help we can give them. 

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<div>Juan is the sole provider for their household. Sophy has been a stay-at-home mom (an incredible mother) to their children and now their world has been turned upside down. Sophy is expecting their third baby together and has had her husband suddenly ripped away from their family. She is processing this traumatic situation and trying to navigate her new, hopefully very temporary, normal. She is one of the strongest women I have ever met and is handling this with such bravery and grace but I know that the uncertainty has to be debilitating right now. The stress of this has to be horrific and not healthy for her and their baby. Sophy is not one to ask for help, she has only asked for prayers through all of this but I know we can do more. I will ask for help for her. We can make sure that Sophy and Juan know that they are seen, heard and loved. I need your help!

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<div>If you feel called to help but are not comfortable donating here, I can get the link to donate directly to Sophy’s Venmo account. 

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<div>We’ll also share a link to her baby registry for all of you who have been how they can help with the baby. 

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<div>The community has been amazing today. I’ve been so proud to be a part of it, reading all the comments and seeing you all defend my friend and her family. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for supporting her. I know she is absolutely overwhelmed and thankful for the response. 

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Stand in Solidarity for Sophy and Juan

<div>Hi, my name is Emily and I'm the daughter of Laura - my mother. In 2023 my mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. It is now March of 2025 and after a long journey the tumors have grown larger and she is in need of alternative treatment and possible palliative care but we choose faith over fear and continue to have hope. Canada is the only G7 country without the option of Proton Beam Therapy which may be life saving for my mother or give her more time. There is an amazing initiative to bring this to Canada and a center will be opening in Edmonton, AB next year. In the mean time the Canadian government is flying select candidates to Florida to have the procedure done there. The cost of the flight as well as the procedure would be covered by the Canadian government. However it will take one month or longer of treatments daily to complete the treatment and we need to cover our own accommodation and food. We looked and the airbnb in the area is around $3k CAD just for a month (it will take longer than that though). We are praying for her to be approved for this treatment but regardless of that are seeking other treatments as well. Any and all support is so immensely appreciated. We will be providing updates of her personal journey and ask that if it feels right to you to please keep our mother Laura in your prayers. Always fiesty and with a sense of humor you can see her posing on her hospital bed in emergency with one of her stylish wigs, hugging my brother Max after hearing the latest news and standing with me after her last full meal with me before she had trouble eating full portions. Thank you so much and God bless.
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Laura's Journey with Ovarian Cancer

<div>Update: Please see the update section for regular updates. Nicole was diagnosed with de novo metastatic TNBC on April 4. Because stage 4 breast cancer isn't considered "curable", she will be doing treatment and need supportive holistic care for the foreseeable future. She is doing a targeted treatment for mTNBC and additional complimentary therapies. This Go Fund Me helps immensely with lost time with work (she owns her own company, Knot &amp; Splice, and is a working artist), as well as medical copays, out of pocket medical costs, and all the complimentary therapies that aren't covered by insurance. We are so grateful for your support.
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<div>Nicole has been diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer in her left breast and axillary lymph nodes in early March. It is grade 3 (the most aggressive type) and at stage 3 due to the size of the mass being over 5cm and 3 or more affected lymph nodes.
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<div>You may know Nicole because she is a self-employed artist of her business, Knot &amp; Splice Jewelry. She crafts one of a kind engagement rings and fine jewelry for lovely folks all over the world.
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<div>Although she treasures her creative time and is hopeful to be able to keep working the rest of the year, cancer treatments are taxing on the mind, body and spirit. This is why we are humbly asking our community for full support and help with her healing as she embarks on this battle to fight for her life against an aggressive cancer. This is a marathon and not a sprint and Nicole is determined to fight hard.
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<div>Her first surgical oncology appointment was on March 13, which she had had to wait almost a month for. Her first medical oncology appointment is closer to the end of the month (at this appointment she will have a CT and PET scan, labs, and help with her chemo treatment plan). The timing for surgery (mastectomy) and subsequent radiation will be based on the response from chemo. The treatments could continue over a full year.
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<div>Nicole has insurance, however, her deductible and max out of pocket costs will be around $10k per year.
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<div>She knows she has a long journey is ahead of her. She’s spent a lot of time contemplating what will help support her in her fight. Your support will help her to be able to do complimentary holistic therapies like acupuncture and IV therapy (insurance does not cover these) which are shown to help ease side effects and support recovery while undergoing chemo.
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<div>Other costs that are not covered by insurance include chemo care items, supplements, etc.
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<div>Nicole was a candidate for genetic testing because of her age of diagnosis (we will get those results within a couple weeks).
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<div>A mastectomy surgery can take over 2 months to recover from with very limited use of arms during that time (because of Nicole’s work, she will need to outsource a lot of the work she does herself and have help with shipping, etc.). Because Nicole is self-employed, this cancer diagnosis has brought on a lot of anxiety about all of the unknowns and the costs associated with having help with completing tasks she can usually do by herself.
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<div>If you are unable to give financially at this time, we welcome your prayers, positivity, speaking life and healing over her name, and sharing her story with your friends and loved ones as well.
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<div>We plan to keep everyone updated here as we go through the healing journey. Thank you so much.
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Help Nicole-Knotandsplice Overcome Aggressive Breast Cancer

<div>Tragedy struck Long Island when <strong>HAPPY CAT SANCTUARY was hit with a house fire.</strong> <strong>CHRISTOPHER ARSENAULT, the owner and founder, lost his life while running back into the house trying to free the cats.</strong> We have over 450 cats that are still being secured and will need vetting, vaccinating, and rescues to step up and help us secure them. <strong>Please donate anything you can.</strong> We are absolutely devastated and distraught over the loss of Chris and the sanctuary. We have secured over 450 cats from the Medford Sanctuary and the upstate facility. We currently have a 4500sf free roaming indoor  facility where they will be carefully cared for until we can find land here on Long Island where Chris always wanted to build an indoor/outdoor sanctuary. The money raised will help to pay our vet bills, supplies, rent for the temporary facility and secure the land and build the new permanent sanctuary.
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Support Happy Cat Sanctuary After Tragic Fire

<div><strong><em>Latest Update, October, 2025</em></strong>: We thank you all for your support throughout the last few years. In her memory, a synovial sarcoma research fund has been created in Natasha’s name under the umbrella of the Sarcoma Foundation of America- <a href="https://curesarcoma.org/possiblynatasha." target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://curesarcoma.org/possiblynatasha.</a> All remaining funds from this GoFundMe will go towards the fund. We would greatly appreciate sharing the link and donating to continued sarcoma research. Rest in Power Natasha 
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<div>August 2025:<strong><em> </em></strong>On August 22, 2025, after living with cancer for 5 years, Natasha passed. Natasha was always very clear- even if cancer cut her life short, she would never lose the battle. And she never did- Natasha won that battle time and time again. Natasha amassed massive social media followings on Instagram and Tiktok, spreading awareness of Synovial Sarcoma &amp; the realities of living with cancer, building communities and awareness through her humor and love. She built so much, spread so much love, and left so much for us to take up in her absence. Please consider contributing regular donations to medical research in her honor. This GoFundMe will remain active to help offset the cost of Natasha's services, and all remaining funds will be donated toward Synovial Sarcoma research. Thank you, Natasha. We love you. Rest in Power.
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<div>July 2025:<strong><em> </em></strong>Recently, Natasha experienced a series of medical emergencies related to ongoing treatments for stage 4 synovial sarcoma, and the synovial sarcoma itself. Over the past couple of weeks, Natasha has spent over 10 days hospitalized for these medical events and setbacks, including fluid buildup around several organs. Despite these challenges, Natasha continues to be a beacon of light. Natasha was invited to speak at CancerCon this fall to present for the Young Cancer AYA friendship panel. Your support helps Natasha through these challenges, and helps fund her to continue spreading her positivity and light to communities worldwide. Let’s go Natasha!!
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<div><strong><em>March 2025</em></strong>: Since our last update, Natasha has been on votrient, a targeted medication for soft tissue sarcoma. Her recent scans have shown growth in her lymph nodes, as well as metastasis in her liver. Beginning this week, she will be in outpatient chemo with high dose ifosfomide. She'll need all of the help and support she can get, so please do your best to share! You can follow Natasha on Instagram @natashaallen for updates and to voice your support.
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<div><strong><em>May 2024</em></strong>: Since October 2023, Natasha has been on a combination regimen of chemotherapy and radiation to manage the growth of tumors in her lungs while searching for new clinical trial options. Radiation therapy is very irritating on the lungs, and as a result, Natasha has had to supplement her oxygen intake 24/7 through use of oxygen tanks and nasal cannulas. Natasha is additionally on a steroid course to reduce the lung inflammation. As you can imagine, the additional cost of steadily maintaining a supply of oxygen &amp; an additional medication, on top of the cost of chemotherapy and various health appointments, is a harsh financial burden. We are upping the goal of the gofundme to $40,000 in the hopes of offsetting some of these costs that Natasha and her family have had to face. As always, any and all support to Natasha and her family is greatly appreciated! We thank you for any money that you can give and ask that you share this page as much as possible!
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<div><strong><em>Latest Update, October 2023</em></strong>: For the past two years, Natasha has been on a regimen of various clinical trials to manage the growth of tumors in her lungs from a rare cancer known as synovial sarcoma. During this time, two clinical trials proved favorable in slowing the growth of Natasha's extant tumors. However, a few weeks ago, Natasha received news that new tumors have begun to grow in her lungs. Currently, Natasha is undergoing chemotherapy treatments while working with her doctors to search for new clinical trials for this rare cancer. Natasha and her family are looking for any and all help to offset the exorbitant cost of treatment, as well as any generosity in helping Natasha maintain her daily activities and do the things she loves!
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<div>Hi everyone! My name is Matt, and my friend Natasha is in need of your support!
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<div>Natasha is an incredibly generous, kind, intelligent, and comedic friend to all who always manages to make every person in a room, stranger or friend, feel welcomed and at home. In the summer of 2020, shortly after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, Natasha was informed that she had a tumor in the same knee that had been causing her problems since her basketball days. A biopsy later revealed that it was cancerous, and she was diagnosed with stage 3 synovial sarcoma, a rare and aggressive type of cancer. After an intense regimen of radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery, Natasha entered remission in the Spring of 2021.
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<div>Natasha moved to NYC shortly after and began a career in banking. About 8 months after entering remission, a scan revealed that Natasha's cancer had traveled to her lungs and she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Synovial Sarcoma. For the past two years, Natasha has been on a regimen of various clinical trials to manage the growth of these tumors. While two clinical trials proved favorable in slowing the growth of Natasha's extant tumors, recently, Natasha received news that new tumors have begun to grow in her lungs. Currently, Natasha is undergoing chemotherapy treatments while working with her doctors to search for new clinical trials for this rare cancer. Throughout it all, in true Natasha fashion, she has documented her journey through tiktok and contributed to and created an online space for chronically ill individuals to speak frankly about their experiences and relate to others around the world.
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<div>The intensity of these treatments, coupled with side effects including blood clots, have impacted Natasha's ability to work consistently. Natasha's mother Sabina and her brother Tristan, now based in Washington DC, have been of great support to her throughout this time. As you can imagine, however, the cost of these treatments, Sabina &amp; Tristan's travel, and managing the damage incurred from treating the original tumor has been tremendous. That's where you come in!
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<div>To help out with these medical costs, we are reaching out to friends, family, and kind-hearted strangers to raise money on Natasha’s behalf. Our goal is to reach $35,000 as soon as possible. Donations of any size are whole-heartedly appreciated. If you are looking for additional ways to help, please share our GoFundMe on all social media platforms and encourage people you know to donate. Additionally, GoFundMe charges a transaction fee of 2.9% plus $0.30 for every donation, so if you want to ensure that Natasha gets the full amount of your donation, please consider adding a little extra on. Alternatively, you can donate to Natasha's venmo (@natashaallen), where she will receive 100% of all donations. To ensure that Natasha’s family will receive 100% of the funds raised through this GoFundMe, Sabina Allen (Natasha’s mother and primary bill handler) has been established as the sole beneficiary for this account, and thus is the only individual capable of withdrawing donated funds. 100% of this money will go towards reimbursing the out of pocket costs accrued from Natasha’s appointments, treatments, and necessary equipment, and assisting the family in travel costs. Thank you all for your time and consideration!!!
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In Memory of Natasha

Now it’s me who needs the help….
because we sadly we lost Ben’s battle as he recently passed away….and although he’s in a much lighter place now… I am not on any level! 

Over 3 years ago I found it necessary to caregive my husband when his Lewy Body Dementia became so progressive that even the most taken for granted daily tasks became difficult and rushing him to the hospital 5 times last year was taxing both of us, so I needed to reconfigure &amp; redefine our lives completely, but I haven’t been able to catch up yet financially since I’ve been in survival mode for my beloved Ben! <br /> If you can help, great, if not, I understand, because it seems that we’re all going through something nowadays, but it’s not easy to reboot your career at 65 when life is passing you by and the world is changing at warp speed!<br />I am reeling for the love of my life and I am broke &amp; broken… but with your help I will rise from the ashes!<br />Montgomery Frazier

“TheBen” lost his battle, but now I need the help

<div>I'm flo fox's son and I need to raise funds for my mother's transition. I need to fund various things at her funeral. I need to archive and move her wonderful art into more storage units.  


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<div>My mother passed from this life on March 2. 2025. She bravely fought the ravages of MS for many years, and continued with her passion for photography even after being almost totally incapacitated, She was born as Florence Blossom, and true to her name she truly blossomed after a difficult childhood, becoming a known clothes designer and later a renowned photographer. She fought like a tigress for the handicapped, even going so far as to build curb ramps, at a time when there were few or none, without permission.


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<div>I am lost without her   she was my whole world the last couple of years. I have a huge task in archiving  her work I wish I had siblings. Oh well.


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Help The Flo Fox Memorial And Archive Fund Raiser

<div>**Help Me Find a New Home for Myself and My Special Needs Cats**
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<div>Dear Friends, Family, and Kind Strangers,
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<div>After 34 wonderful years in my home, I am facing the difficult reality of having to move. This house has been more than just a place to live; it's been a sanctuary filled with countless memories and love. Unfortunately, circumstances have changed, and I need to find a new place to call home.
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<div>The challenge ahead is not just finding a new residence, but finding a pet-friendly apartment that can accommodate my beloved senior and special needs cats. They have been my faithful companions through thick and thin, and it's essential that they move with me to a safe and welcoming environment.
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<div>The expenses involved in relocating are overwhelming. From securing a new apartment, paying for the moving services, to ensuring my cats' transition is as smooth and stress-free as possible, the costs are more than I can handle on my own.
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<div>I am reaching out for your support and kindness during this challenging time. Any contribution, no matter how small, will make a tremendous difference in helping me secure a new home where my cats and I can continue to live safely and comfortably.
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<div>Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generosity and support. Your kindness will not only help me find a new home but also ensure that my furry family members remain by my side.
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<div>With gratitude,
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<div>Angela and The Cats
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Help Angela and Her Cats Find a New Home

<div>(3.12.2025 UPDATE) - Winnie just had dental surgery a few days ago, and it was successful! While she no longer has any teeth, and is still recovering from the procedure, she is otherwise acting normally. I have hopes that this will extend her life. To everyone who donated, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. Your donations helped cover the entirety of the costs associated with her medical needs, and accordingly, I am closing all further donations to this fundraiser. You are all amazing, kind people, and you have my eternal gratitude. 
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<div>Much love, Ryan 
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<div>Hello - my name is Ryan, and the cat you see here is Winnie. She is a black domestic shorthair born in the summer of 2020 that I adopted off the streets of the Bronx back in April 2021, and who currently lives with me in NYC. She has been a light in my life, the sweetest companion animal a person could ask for. In that time, I have done my best to provide her a loving home and be the best cat dad I can be.
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<div>Unfortunately, Winnie suffers from FeLV - the feline leukemia virus, which begins to affect most cats afflicted with the disease at about 5-6 years of age. While she is not yet in this age range, she currently suffers from dental disease. Recently, I was told by her veterinarian that she would need her teeth removed.
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<div>I am currently in a financially precarious situation, and the procedure to remove her teeth would not be cheap. I will need to have her teeth removed no later than April of 2025. In total, the dental procedure would cost in the range of $2000 USD.
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<div>Please help me pay for this procedure. Winnie is my best friend, and I don't want anything to happen to her because I couldn't provide for her. I will be forever grateful for your kindness and generosity, and so too will Winnie.
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Help Save My Cat Winnie & Donate to Her Dental Procedure

<div><span style="color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:1rem;">Our family would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of love and support we have received from the community.  </span>
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<div>On February 13th the course of our lives changed for the worse. Sam may not be with us physically, but we know his memory is still very much alive and his story isn’t over.
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<div>We want to thank everyone who has generosity donated to our GoFundMe, which will allow our family to be his voice; we will never stop fighting until Sam has the justice he deserves.  GoFundMe donations will go along way for travel fees (as Sam and his family are from Minnesota but criminal trials are taking place in New York), lawyer fees, as well as loss of wages our family is experiencing. Again, your support has meant so much, and if anyone is interesting in keeping up with Sam’s journey, please follow us on Facebook under JUSTICE FOR SAM NORDQUIST.
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Justice for  Sam Nordquist ❤️

<div>This is <strong>Rocky who is 8 and blind</strong>. Rocky needs surgery to remove necrotic skin that happened after a traumatic hit on his head from a table he ran into and which fell on him. He is hospitalized. This has been such an emotional and financial toll. <strong>ER charges and now the surgery hospitalization, costs over $7k not including all the visits and we will make payments for however long we need to just to make sure we get more time with our baby</strong>, but if you would like to help, we would so appreciate it. Even $1 or $5 collectively can be a huge help, but if you can't, then even more importantly, please pray and send positive thoughts. Our fur babies are family, and when they hurt, we hurt. Rocky has endured a lot in his little life, but we will keep fighting for him no matter the cost. <img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/85969515_1738687586712872_r.jpg" width="100%" media_type="3" alt="85969515_1738687586712872_r.jpg" /><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/85969515_1738687599853833_r.jpg" width="100%" media_type="3" alt="85969515_1738687599853833_r.jpg" /><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/85969515_1738687611912821_r.jpg" width="100%" media_type="3" alt="85969515_1738687611912821_r.jpg" /><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/85969515_1738687640879391_r.jpg" width="100%" media_type="3" alt="85969515_1738687640879391_r.jpg" /><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/85969515_1738687657255908_r.jpg" width="100%" media_type="3" alt="85969515_1738687657255908_r.jpg" />
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Support Rocky's Fight for Recovery

<div><strong>UPDATE</strong>: Hey family,
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<div>Just wanted to let y’all know—I made it. I’m officially in Las Vegas, and this is the start of a brand new chapter for me and for the Brister English Project.
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<div>The BEP Archive is finally coming to life. After years of work, I’m beginning the process of building out a digital home for everything we’ve been doing—oral histories, records, resources, and community stories. This is the heart of what we’ve been building toward.
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<div>But I’ll be real with you: I need help to stay afloat while I get everything off the ground. Rent, bills, and basic living expenses are stacking up while I push forward with this work. Every dollar donated helps cover those costs and keeps the Brister English Project moving.
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<div>The good news? I’m closer than ever to people, organizations, and institutions that can help us grow. The potential out here is real. I just need a little support to get over this hump and fully lock in.
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<div>Thank you to everyone who’s held me down so far. Whether you’ve donated, shared a post, or just sent love—I see you and I’m grateful.
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<div>Let’s keep building.
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<div>– Walter
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<div>I’m Walter English, founder of the Brister English Project, embarking on a significant journey to further the cause of genealogical research and reparations for American descendants of chattel slavery. We need your help to raise $45,000 to cover the costs of this important move from New York to Las Vegas, Nevada.
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<div>I’m a genealogist and research historian. In 2021, I made the bold decision to quit my job and dedicate my life to helping people who look like me learn about family that we thought may have been lost to history. The Brister English Project is named after my second great grandfather, whom I found on a slave schedule and slave ship manifest. This discovery led to conversations with the descendants of Thomas Cassander English, the man who enslaved Brister, my great grandfather Robert English, and my great grand uncle, Armstead English. This emotional journey, filled with harsh realities, also revealed the beauty in family. I found pictures, met relatives with last names I’ve only seen on censuses and other records. The feeling is unmatched and necessary.
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<div>Knowing how difficult Black genealogy is, I’ve always believed we should not have to pay for a history that’s been stripped, burned, and lied about. Over the last two and a half years, I’ve put in over $3 million of work (scaling by Ancestry’s “starting” price). It’s also one of the reasons I built a database of free resources surrounding Black genealogy, from how to start to the slave schedules I mentioned above.
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<div><strong>Why This Move Matters:</strong>
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<div>Strengthening Research Efforts: As the co-researcher on the London Nelson Legacy Initiative with the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History, my presence in Las Vegas will still allow for effective collaboration with local historians and archives. Although I will be based in Las Vegas, I will fly to California as needed to further my research and maintain these vital partnerships.
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<div>Financial Efficiency: Las Vegas offers a significantly lower cost of living compared to Santa Cruz. I will be paying one-third of what I would have in California, allowing more funds to be directed toward the project’s mission and activities.
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<div>Active Community Engagement: Relocating to Las Vegas will enable me to bring culture back to an area that may have lost it in various ways. I will be actively involved in the Las Vegas community, conducting workshops on Black history, Black genealogy, and navigating genealogical records. These efforts will empower the local community with knowledge and tools to explore their own histories.
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<div>Community Impact: In addition to my work in Las Vegas, I will continue to contribute to the Santa Cruz and Bay Area communities by conducting workshops and collaborating with the Reparations Board in Santa Cruz. Furthermore, I plan to expand my work beyond the Bay Area, helping out in Los Angeles and surrounding areas. My educational efforts will empower the community with knowledge and tools to explore their own histories, leading to self-actualization and a deep sense of self-determination.
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<div><strong>The Impact of the Brister English Project:</strong>
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<div>The Brister English Project has already made a significant impact on the Black community by providing a comprehensive database of free resources for Black genealogy, including information on slavery. To date, the project has helped over 140 families connect with both ancestors and living relatives they had no idea existed.
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<div>This education is supported through social media platforms, reaching a wide audience and garnering attention from prestigious institutions such as Princeton, Seton Hall University, Acton Memorial Library, Arizona University, Newark Academy, and other educational spaces.
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<div><strong>How You Can Help:</strong>
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<div><strong>Your contribution will directly support:</strong>
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<li>One year of rent and the first month's deposit in Las Vegas, where the cost of living is significantly lower, allowing me to make a lasting impact.
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<li>Travel and moving expenses.
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<li>New furniture for the new residence, making the move more cost-effective.
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<li>Setting up a new base of operations in Las Vegas.
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<div>Together, we can make this move possible and ensure that Walter and the Brister English Project continue their critical work of reuniting descendants of chattel slavery with their roots. Join us in supporting this cause and be a part of history in the making. I never would’ve thought in 2021 I would quit my job and not only chase a dream but help fill a missing piece in the Black community through ancestral healing.
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<div>Thank you. If you have any questions about my plans for reparations, my plans surrounding how this will provide jobs within the Black community, please don't hesitate to ask.
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Help Fuel Walter's Mission for Black Genealogy & Reparations

“I want to be like a sunflower; so that even on the darkest days I will stand tall and find the sunlight.” -Unknown Author Hello beautiful people,I am Kristy Ramos, a mother to 3 beautiful daughters Ari, Aleina, &amp; Wynter, curly hairstylist, &amp; curly hair educator to hairstylists for my brand, Sunflowers &amp; Scissors. My entire world &amp; way of life has changed since last year when I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer March 17th of 2021. After multiple surgeries, chemotherapy, &amp; radiation treatments unfortunately my diagnosis has now progressed to stage 4 terminal breast cancer. Though my diagnosis is a hard pill to swallow, I will continue to focus on making the best of my time making memories with my loved ones. In my career as a hairstylist specializing in natural hair I focused on spreading the message of self love through learning about the beauty of one’s own hair. That notion was the catalyst for me to start teaching that to hairstylists in effort to foster real change for the beauty industry to do better when it came to creating more inclusive, diverse, &amp; safe spaces. As I am still going through this breast cancer journey, I will always share my message of being proactive in your health because it can help save your life so in a sense I am “educating” about taking care of your health too. Being healthy is a a gift we too often take for granted. Thank you all for your kindness, prayers, love, &amp; support. My daughters &amp; I will forever be grateful for every effort to help us get through this challenging time. If you would like to send monetary donations outside of Gofund Me, here are the other links for you to help: Venmo- @Fairycurlmother CashApp- $FairyCurlMother  Thank you for listening to my story. Love &amp; light you all.  Forever grateful,  Kristy Ramos ✂️

Fighting Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer

<div>The great and wonderful Annette Gaudino is facing a reduction of her already modest income because her short-term disability offers her only 60% of her salary, and she needs to cover some in-home support expenses. We are hoping her friends can help her make up the difference- what ever you can offer towards that is great.
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Support Annette Through Tough Times

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<div>It is with a heavy heart that we share yet another devastating story. Bonnie Buratti (a long time and well-respected member of the JPL family and local community) and her family join the growing list of folks who have lost their entire home to the Eaton wildfire.
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<div>Bonnie is a JPL Fellow and senior research scientist and she is currently serving as Deputy Project Scientist for the Europa Clipper Mission. Her impact to the community runs deep through the four decades that she has resided here.
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<div>Bonnie and Kai (and cats) escaped from the Eaton wildfire with the clothes on their backs and realized fairly quickly that the approaching fires would destroy their neighborhood and home leaving them with very little as they face this unimaginable loss.
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<div>As a friend of Bonnie’s, I am organizing this fundraiser on behalf of her and her family to help them with unexpected costs not covered by other aid. All funds will go directly to Bonnie.
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<div>Please consider contributing, anything will help - and they are grateful for any support you may be able to offer.
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<div>With gratitude,
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<div>Trina (a long time friend and colleague of Bonnie's from work)
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<div>This fundraising campaign is for Cate Heneghan, who lost her home to the Eaton Fire on January 8. Cate is a proud Altadenan and a senior engineer at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). All funds raised will go directly to Cate to help her get back on her feet and assist with needs that might not be fully covered by other sources of aid. Thank you for your support.
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<div>Cate courageously helped her neighbors escape the fire. Here's Cate's story, in her own words:
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<div><strong>Fire Storm on 2600 block of McNally Ave</strong>
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<div>The fire started at ~6:30pm on Tuesday night, January 7, 2025. By Wednesday morning all the houses on my street we’re gone. By 11:30 am, the entire neighborhood was gone.
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<div>The winds had been howling since the wee hours of Tuesday morning. I did not sleep well. The winds were so fierce that many businesses closed or asked people to work from home.
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<div>At ~7:30pm the electricity went out. I went to check on my neighbors. That’s when I noticed the fire east of us in the mountains. The power company said the power would be out for 24 hours. So, between the power outage, the howling winds, and the distant fire, several neighbors left.
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<div>The overall winds were blowing the smoke to the east. The air on our block was clear, which was a positive sign that we were not in immediate danger. I checked on several neighbors over the next hour to be sure they were aware of the fire and had a plan. I helped two of them open their garages doors so they could pack their cars. Opening the doors by hand in the winds, was no small feat.
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<div>Another neighbor and her elderly (90+ yo) parents were heading to bed when I pounded on their door. They didn’t even know about the fire. I suggested they pack their important paperwork (like citizenship papers) and be ready to go.
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<div>I watched the fire’s progression, initially checking every hour, then every half hour, then every 15 minutes. The fire slowly crept west, getting closer and closer. By 10:00 pm I was certain the fire was spreading west along the mountains. I had already gathered my important paperwork and an overnight bag, but at that point, I started packing more clothes in case I was out of the area for a week. Every time I took a load of stuff to the car, I covered my head with my arm to protect it from flying debris.
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<div>At 10:00 pm, I texted a request to all the neighbors to let the group know which houses had evacuated. Thankfully, everyone complied.
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<div>Just after 10:00 pm I received alerts on my phone from the County. They were mixed messages. One said evacuate now. The other said be ready to evacuate. I asked others if they had received the messages. Most said they hadn’t.
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<div>At ~midnight a neighbor arrived home with her elderly parents in multiple cars because of the medical equipment needed for them. They were evacuating to her house from their home closer to the fire. I told her we had received evacuation warnings. She hadn’t received any alerts from the County. She was glad I told her, and put her parents back in the cars and drove to the safety of her son’s house across town.
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<div>By midnight, only 5 of the 20 houses were occupied. At 2:00 am, I made a list of the neighbors who evacuated and those who were still on the block and confirmed it with the others who remained. I didn’t want anyone to be left behind if the fire got close. I communicated to the group which houses were still occupied.
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<div>At 2:30 am, I smelled smoke in my house. I looked outside and could not see the fire anymore. For the first time that night, there was smoke, and it was thick. I decided it was time for me to go. I packed some final items, like snacks and water since I didn’t know where I was going. (All the friends I’d normally call were evacuated too.)
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<div>I had forgotten that the interior panel and the exterior door handle had been removed from the driver’s door, because I had been working on the door over the weekend. I had planned to reinstall them the following weekend. Since I was packing the car through other doors, I hadn’t even noticed the missing handle for the driver’s door! So, in the smoke and the wind, I managed to get the handle back on. I retrieved the car panel from the garage and threw it in the back seat.
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<div>As I was pulling out, I saw one neighbor walking up and down the street, checking on houses. I asked him when he was leaving, and he said “we are staying”. I hadn’t realized that some of the very young adults in his house had returned; I thought he was there alone. I suggested that he get them out asap. It seems he heeded my advice, and they left soon after.
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<div>The last household left at 5:35 am when embers started falling into yards, setting the foliage on fire. As they turned the corner, they saw a fire truck, and told them about the fires on our block. They were told there were no more resources to fight the fires. But at least everyone on our block got out before the fire hit.
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<div>At 9:00 am, I drove to the eastern edge of the neighborhood. It was still standing. There was one house across the street burning unattended. I did not attempt to drive to the western edge of the neighborhood to my street. I didn’t want to get trapped or in any way contribute to the problem, so I turned around.
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<div>At 9:30 am, one neighbor managed to drive through the active burn areas to the western edge of the neighborhood and saw that our entire block had burned down.
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<div>At 11:30 am another neighbor drove in and saw that the entire neighborhood was gone. All the houses I saw standing at 9:00 am were now burned to the ground.
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<div>Not many people got the emergency alerts from the County. There were no emergency vehicles driving through the streets alerting people of the danger. The sheriff deputies did not knock on our doors. It was neighbors saving neighbors. Altadena is that kind of community, but… How many people went to bed without realizing the danger they were in? How many people didn’t have a neighbor pounding on their door, or didn’t hear the pounding over the howling wind? It’s a chilling thought.
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<div>When I left my house at 3:00 am, I drove to the Pasadena Civic Center, thinking I might stay there. Friends inside told me it was smoky, bright, noisy, and everyone had their pets with them. I decided to get out of the smoke and saw that there was a shelter in Burbank, so I drove to the equestrian center. When I arrived around 4:30 am, I was told it was a shelter for large animals, not people. Oops! A couple said they would be sleeping in their car, and I should park next to them. At 5:00 am, other friends called and said they wanted to get out of the smoke. I told them where I was, and they parked on the other side of me. We all rested for a few hours as the winds howled and rocked the cars. I didn’t really sleep.
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<div>When we started moving in the morning, my friend’s eye was hurting. It sounded like the wind had blown something in it and scratched his cornea. His wife drove him to urgent care. (He was feeling better 5 days later.)
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<div>While they went to urgent care, I drove back to Altadena to check on the house. There were still fires everywhere. There was a burned out car in the middle of a major street; it was nearly disintegrated. When I reached the eastern edge of my neighborhood. There was a house burning unattended, but otherwise the neighborhood at the eastern edge was intact. I decided not to drive any further, so I didn’t see my street. The air was thick with smoke and toxins.
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<div>I drove back to the clean air of Burbank and re-installed the interior door panel, so I could finally roll my car windows up and down. I received word that the houses on my street were gone. I sat in my car for a few minutes trying to decide where to go next. A co-worker texted and said he had a spare bed 2 hours north away from the smoke. I decided I had to take him up on the offer. By then my friend was out of urgent care. I asked if he and his family could come along, and away we went. Half way through the drive their cat started panting, so they stopped at a hotel in Palmdale to help him recover.
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<div>I ended up in Tehachapi at 6600 ft, in a large room with a great view of the mountains. My friends were gentle, gave me hugs, let the adrenaline wear off, and allowed me to process slowly. It was the serenity I needed to start understanding what had just happened. I was without a home. Nearly all of my possessions gained over 30+ years were gone including family heirlooms, my friend’s artwork, most of my tools, my home office, my books, my motorcycle, etc. My neighbors were also displaced. Over the next few days I called to cancel utilities, file an insurance claim, email and text family, friends and colleagues all over the world to let them know my status: I’m safe and well cared for.
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<div>Onto the next step of finding long-term housing…
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<div>This GoFundMe page was started and maintained by Cate's coworker at JPL, Grace Ok.
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Help Cate Heneghan get back on her feet after the Eaton Fire

<div>Sharon Laubach and Andy Mishkin met and fell in love while working on Mars missions at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Their combined time working on NASA missions is greater than 50 years, dedicated to serving this country and the world through the advancement of science.
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<div>Their beautiful home hosted many parties and gatherings, small and large. It was filled with collectibles, one-of-a-kind furniture crafted by artisans they know, treasured artworks from cherished friends and Andy's amazing art. Their backyard wildlife cams wowed us with photos of bears, bobcats, and more creatures visiting Sharon's exquisite garden. Before they bought the house 24 years ago, a different NASA engineer owned it, and it was full of precious mementos from that engineer and from their own storied careers.
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<div>Was, because that beautiful sanctuary is now gone, claimed by the Eaton fire in Altadena on January 8, 2025.
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<div>Sharon, Andy, and their two cats (Loki and Phantom) escaped with their lives—but nothing else.
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<div>And now it's time for us to take care of them, as they've taken care of all of us for so long. <strong>Please support them to cover unexpected costs while they figure out all of the details they never wanted to think about—how to file insurance claims and start over.</strong>
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<div>These funds will assist with needs that might not be fully covered by other sources of aid.  Your help will allow them to address the many aspects of recovery and support them through this crisis. They'll also help to support their neighbors where they can. 
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<div>About the fund organizer:
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<div>I'm Krys Blackwood, a friend of Sharon and Andy. I've benefitted from their generous hosting and mentorship in my work and Sharon has become one of my closest friends. Andy's art work, all destroyed in the fire, inspired me and brought me joy.
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<div>Every penny you donate will go straight to Sharon and Andy. 
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Support Sharon Laubach and Andy Mishkin After Fire Loss

<div>In the face of devastating wildfires, Santiago Martinez, a dedicated gardener, father and a beloved member of his community, fought fiercely to save his friend’s home. For hours, he fought the flames to save his friend’s house, tirelessly watering it and keeping watch, working through the night, without sleep, until he knew it was safe. 

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<div>Unfortunately, in the process, Santiago lost everything he had worked so hard for—his gardening tools, his equipment, and many personal belongings that were essential to him, not just as a gardener, but as a father and friend. Santiago’s hands, which have cultivated gardens and nourished friendships, are now empty. His heart is full of love for his family and his work, but his tools—his livelihood—are gone.

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<div>We’re reaching out to help Santiago rebuild what the fire has taken, so he can continue doing the work he loves and supporting those who depend on him. Every dollar we raise will go toward replacing his tools, getting him back on his feet, and restoring his ability to bring beauty and care to the world around him.

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<div>Santiago is not just a gardener—he is a loving father, a true friend, and a hero who put others first when it mattered most. Now, it’s our turn to stand by him, as he has always stood by us. Let’s show Santiago that he’s not alone, that we are here to help him rise from the ashes, just as he helped others do so during the fire. 

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<div>Every contribution, no matter how small, will help him rebuild his life, his tools, and his hope. Together, we can help Santiago heal, and give him the strength to continue caring for the world, one garden at a time.

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Support Santiago: A Hero Without Tools

<div>Friends and Fans:

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<div>Michael Packer was a long-time drummer for the Tijuana Dogs, and he needs our help!

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<div>Michael and his wife, Stephanie, recently lost their home and nearly everything they own to the Eaton Fire. Their entire block in Altadena was burned to the ground.

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<div>As the former drummer of Tijuana Dogs, Mike was a key figure in bringing energy, heart, and rhythm to every beat. Thankfully, they are safe (as are their two pups, Maddie and Coop) and currently staying in a hotel, but in this moment of loss, he needs our help.

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<div>The road ahead for Mike and his wife is uncertain, but with the support of friends, fans, and the community, we can help him rebuild and get back on his feet. Every donation, no matter how small, can make a difference.

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<div>Donations will cover the cost of living expenses including clothes, food, a place to stay while they rebuild, and everything else that comes with starting over.

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<div>Let’s show how the power of music—and of people coming together— can change lives!

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<div>-Matt Mauser and the Tijuana Dogs

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Help Former Tijuana Dogs Drummer Rebuild After Eaton Fire

<div>My sister Marta and her family were devastated by the Eaton Canyon Fire in Altadena. This happened after a couple of years of other serious hardships. My sister is the best person I know and everyone who knows her would agree. Not only she is the smartest person (literally) and the kindest heart but she is always helping others, even when she is stretched thin. Now is the time to help her, when she needs it more. She has an 11 year old and a husband and they are all devastated, exhausted and overwhelmed. I really hope we can help them out.
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<div>My name is Gemma Gene, I’m Marta’s sister. We both live in the LA area. All the funds will go directly to Marta to help her put here life back together.
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Help Marta, John & Sofia put their life back together

<div>I am reaching out to ask for your support for my incredible friend L, a courageous and loving queer single parent who has devoted herself entirely to her child amidst unimaginable hardship. For over a decade, L has been subjected to relentless stalking and violent behavior from the child’s other parent. Despite her unwavering strength, the situation took a devastating turn when this individual, under the influence of alcohol, endangered their child’s life through reckless behavior, resulting in severe injuries that required urgent medical attention.
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<div>In the wake of this traumatic event, New York Civil Court has issued temporary Orders of Protection for both L and her child, and the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) has granted L sole custody, reflecting the gravity of the situation. The incident occurred 90 minutes from their home, creating an urgent need for multiple trips across two boroughs for medical follow-ups, legal appointments, and police meetings. With L’s child in discomfort and requiring frequent travel, the financial strain of Uber rides and ongoing appointments is substantial. Balancing this alongside L’s work and her child’s school schedule has become a daunting challenge.
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<div>The road ahead is fraught with extensive legal proceedings involving ACS and ongoing cases against the abusive parent, adding layers of complexity to L’s already overwhelming circumstances. There will be additional childcare costs for hearings and appointments that could be distressing for the child. While L has some supportive resources from a respected domestic violence organization, they are not able to take on her case at this time. A private attorney with an experienced track record in such cases has offered to rep L in trial for $16K instead of her usual $80K fee This GoFundMe is a crucial lifeline to help L cover these unexpected expenses, providing the support she desperately needs as she navigates this harrowing journey and fights to secure a safe and stable future for her child. Your contribution can make a profound difference in their lives during this critical time.
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Help a Single Queer Parent and Their Child Cover Legal Fees

<div>*Update* The official funeral date is 1/7. We are just waiting on timestamps. Thank you for everyone's contribution. *Actualización* La fecha oficial del funeral es el 1/7. Solo estamos esperando las marcas de tiempo. Gracias por la contribución de todos.
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<div><strong>Strong, Hard-Working, and “Chingon”</strong>
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<div><em>Beloved father, grandfather, husband, brother, and uncle.</em>
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<div>Let me tell you a bit about our dad. Julio is from Mexico and came to NYC around the age of 25 years old. He was very humorous and humble. He could make anyone laugh. Like most immigrants, he had the American Dream of creating financial stability. He always worked hard to provide for his wife and 4 daughters. His last profession was just a few blocks away from New York Presbyterian Hospital. <strong>He</strong> <strong>provided</strong> <strong>flower</strong> <strong>arrangements</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>plants</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>all</strong> <strong>types</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>people</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>over</strong> <strong>10</strong> <strong>years.</strong> He treated his flowers and plants with great pride and care. He learned everything there is to know about flowers and plants. He was hard-working and determined to continue his business. That man did not know the definition of rest. He became a well known man in the community. He would hand out free flowers to small children and developed strong relationships with neighbors and other entrepreneurs. <strong>Doctors</strong> <strong>recognized</strong> <strong>him</strong> <strong>as</strong> <strong>part</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>community.</strong> One of his Doctors even told us his mom has been buying from Julio for years!
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<div>Unfortunately, Julio experienced <strong>cardiac</strong> <strong>arrest</strong> when admitted to the New York Presbyterian hospital ICU on November 14.
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<div>We did not suspect it was going to unravel the way it did.
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<div><strong>The</strong> <strong>following</strong> <strong>weeks</strong> <strong>Julio</strong> <strong>battled</strong> <strong>from</strong> <strong>bacteria</strong>/<strong>infection</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>bloodstream</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>lungs.</strong> This created a string of additional complications. He was quickly intubated and sedated to provide the best support for his lungs. He was experiencing kidney and liver failure. Although he received dialysis, his blood pressure could not support this treatment. At the end, he was not able to survive the ICU. He was not able to speak or move for most of the <strong>last</strong> <strong>38</strong> <strong>days</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>his</strong> <strong>life</strong> <strong>at</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>New</strong> <strong>York</strong> <strong>Presbyterian</strong> <strong>ICU</strong>.
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<div>But he always had a caring family member at his bedside, for he had devoted daughters, a son-in-law, a niece, brothers, and sisters to ensure every medical decision and update was fully shared amongst the family. <strong>We</strong> <strong>took</strong> <strong>turns</strong> <strong>watching</strong> <strong>over</strong> <strong>our</strong> <strong>dad</strong> <strong>during</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>night</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>day.</strong> We reminded him that he was not alone and that he is loved. Doctors recognized he survived his first complications because of all the family support everyone provided. Praying for recovery every day and then a miracle the last days. <strong>Sadly</strong>, <strong>on</strong> <strong>December</strong> <strong>21st,</strong> <strong>at</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>age</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>58</strong> <strong>years</strong> <strong>old</strong> <strong>his</strong> <strong>time</strong> <strong>was</strong> <strong>up</strong>, and it was time to join his family in heaven. He fought a good fight, for he was a fighter his whole life.
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<div>Unfortunately, business was not doing well so now <strong>we are raising money to help fund the send-off he deserves. </strong>We are holding a <strong>mass</strong> at our Church in East Harlem following a beautiful <strong>viewing</strong> and <strong>burial</strong>. Since he loved flowers so much, we want to <strong>provide</strong> <strong>beautiful flowers</strong> as well. If possible, we would love to be able to <strong>provide a Mariachi band</strong> during his burial to add a Mexican Touch and because his death happened just a few weeks before his 59th birthday. <strong>Thank you so much for taking the time to read about our dad.</strong>
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<div>*Español*
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<div><strong>Fuerte</strong>, <strong>trabajador</strong> <strong>y</strong> “<strong>Chingón”</strong>
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<div><em>Amado</em> <em>padre,</em> <em>abuelo,</em> <em>esposo</em>, <em>hermano</em> <em>y</em> tío.
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<div>Les cuento un poco sobre nuestro papá. Julio es de México y llegó a Nueva York a los 25 años aproximadamente. Era muy divertido y humilde. Podía hacer reír a cualquiera. Como la mayoría de los inmigrantes, tenía el sueño americano de crear estabilidad financiera. Siempre trabajó duro para mantener a su esposa y 4 hijas. Su última profesión fue a pocas cuadras del Hospital Presbiteriano de Nueva York. <strong>Proveía</strong> <strong>arreglos</strong> <strong>florales</strong> <strong>y</strong> <strong>plantas</strong> <strong>para</strong> <strong>todo</strong> <strong>tipo</strong> <strong>de</strong> <strong>personas</strong> <strong>por</strong> <strong>más</strong> <strong>de</strong> <strong>10</strong> <strong>años.</strong> Trataba sus flores y plantas con gran orgullo y cuidado. Aprendió todo lo que hay que saber sobre flores y plantas. Era muy trabajador y estaba decidido a continuar con su negocio. Ese hombre no conocía la definición de descanso. Se convirtió en un hombre muy conocido en la comunidad. Repartía flores gratis a los niños pequeños y construyó fuertes relaciones con los vecinos y otros empresarios. <strong>Los</strong> <strong>médicos</strong> <strong>lo</strong> <strong>reconocieron</strong> <strong>como</strong> <strong>parte</strong> <strong>de</strong> <strong>la</strong> <strong>comunidad</strong>. ¡Uno de sus médicos incluso nos dijo que su madre le ha estado comprando a Julio durante años!
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<div>Desafortunadamente, Julio sufrió un <strong>paro</strong> <strong>cardíaco</strong> cuando fue admitido en la UCI del hospital Presbiteriano de Nueva York el 14 de noviembre.
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<div>No sospechábamos que se iba a descomponer de la manera en que lo hizo.
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<div>Las semanas siguientes, Julio luchó contra <strong>bacterias/infecciones</strong> en el torrente sanguíneo y los pulmones. Esto creó una serie de complicaciones adicionales. Fue intubado y sedado rápidamente para brindar el mejor soporte para sus pulmones. Estaba experimentando insuficiencia renal y hepática. Aunque recibió diálisis, su presión arterial no pudo soportar este tratamiento. Al final, no pudo sobrevivir a la UCI. No pudo hablar ni moverse durante la mayor parte de los últimos 38 días de su vida en la UCI del Hospital Presbiteriano de Nueva York.
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<div>Pero siempre tuvo un familiar atento a su lado en la UCI, ya que tenía hijas devotas, un yerno, una sobrina, hermanos y hermanas para garantizar que cada decisión médica y actualización se compartiera plenamente con la familia. <strong>Nos</strong> <strong>turnábamos</strong> <strong>para</strong> <strong>cuidar</strong> <strong>a</strong> <strong>nuestro</strong> <strong>padre</strong> <strong>durante</strong> <strong>la</strong> <strong>noche</strong> <strong>y</strong> <strong>el</strong> <strong>día.</strong> Le recordamos que no estaba solo y que lo amaban. Los médicos reconocieron que sobrevivió a sus primeras complicaciones gracias al apoyo familiar que todos le brindaron. Oraban por su recuperación todos los días y luego un milagro en los últimos días. Lamentablemente, <strong>el</strong> <strong>21</strong> <strong>de</strong> <strong>diciembre</strong>, <strong>a</strong> <strong>la</strong> <strong>edad</strong> <strong>de</strong> <strong>58</strong> <strong>años</strong>, su tiempo se acabó y era hora de unirse a su familia en el cielo. Peleó una buena batalla, porque fue un luchador toda su vida.
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<div>Desafortunadamente, el negocio no iba bien, así que ahora <strong>estamos</strong> <strong>recaudando</strong> <strong>dinero</strong> <strong>para</strong> <strong>ayudar</strong> <strong>a</strong> <strong>financiar</strong> <strong>la</strong> <strong>despedida</strong> <strong>que</strong> <strong>se</strong> <strong>merece</strong>. Celebraremos una <strong>misa</strong> en nuestra iglesia en East Harlem después de un hermoso <strong>velorio</strong> y <strong>entierro</strong>. Como amaba tanto las flores, también queremos ofrecer hermosas flores. Si es posible, nos encantaría poder proporcionar una banda de <strong>mariachis</strong> durante su entierro para agregar un toque mexicano y porque su muerte ocurrió solo unas semanas antes de su 59 cumpleaños. <strong>Muchas</strong> <strong>gracias</strong> <strong>por</strong> <strong>tomarse</strong> <strong>el</strong> <strong>tiempo</strong> <strong>de</strong> <strong>leer</strong> <strong>sobre</strong> <strong>nuestro</strong> <strong>padre.</strong>
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