Please help me repair my car
Donation protected
I was hesitant to make a gofundme as I feel these are usually for more tragic situations, but what is the point of community and social media if one is too embarrassed to ask for help in their time of need? If nothing else accidents and emergencies are, if we are lucky, reminders of how fragile life is, and how life changing experiences can happen in the blink of an eye.
On October 31st, while leaving my job at around 11pm, I got into my first major car accident. Not even 20 feet away from my place of employment, a Chevy Suburban stopped short in the middle of a turn. The Suburban contained 6 passengers who were guests at my job, I had actually taken care of them personally. I knew the group had been drinking, I don't believe the driver drank, but they were from out of town, and claim the stop involved some confusion with directions. Whatever the reasons, in New Jersey if you rear end someone, it is automatically your fault. Like I mentioned earlier, they were driving a Chevy Suburban versus my Mazda 3, so while they drove away with a small crack to their bumper, the front of my car is completely demolished and had to be towed.
Because by law I am the driver "at fault," neither their nor my own insurance company will cover me for damages. One of the worst things to hear is that the insurance company you bust your butt to pay every month, doesn't have you covered. I am a student, I work as a waitress, and I'm currently looking for a second job. I only started working at my job two months ago, so my rainy day fund was not prepared for an emergency like this. My parents have enough to take care, of including both of my younger brothers tuitions, so it isn't fair to burden them with this. Even if I wanted to just scrap the car, I finance it and still have several thousand dollars to pay off, so at the moment my hands are tied. Nonetheless, I am working to raise as much of the money for repairs as I can on my own.
I'm sure I'm not the only stubborn person who hates to ask for help, but sometimes extenuating circumstances cause us to put our pride aside. We're not alone in this world, and we make massive strides when we collectively help each other, even with tiny gestures. If just a fraction of my followers on all social media were to donate only $5-$10, I could completely cover the costs of the repairs.
I hate to just take free handouts, so for every donation made I'd like to give something back. If you find it in your heart to donate, please comment with your favorite cookie flavor, and I will show my appreciation by shipping you a handmade batch of holiday cookies! It's not much but it's the least I can do.
At the end of the day, material things are just material and more than anything I am thankful for life and health, with no major injuries. My gratitude runs deep no matter what happens, and I thank you all in advance for simply for reading this if nothing else.
With love and gratitude,
Nia Butler


On October 31st, while leaving my job at around 11pm, I got into my first major car accident. Not even 20 feet away from my place of employment, a Chevy Suburban stopped short in the middle of a turn. The Suburban contained 6 passengers who were guests at my job, I had actually taken care of them personally. I knew the group had been drinking, I don't believe the driver drank, but they were from out of town, and claim the stop involved some confusion with directions. Whatever the reasons, in New Jersey if you rear end someone, it is automatically your fault. Like I mentioned earlier, they were driving a Chevy Suburban versus my Mazda 3, so while they drove away with a small crack to their bumper, the front of my car is completely demolished and had to be towed.
Because by law I am the driver "at fault," neither their nor my own insurance company will cover me for damages. One of the worst things to hear is that the insurance company you bust your butt to pay every month, doesn't have you covered. I am a student, I work as a waitress, and I'm currently looking for a second job. I only started working at my job two months ago, so my rainy day fund was not prepared for an emergency like this. My parents have enough to take care, of including both of my younger brothers tuitions, so it isn't fair to burden them with this. Even if I wanted to just scrap the car, I finance it and still have several thousand dollars to pay off, so at the moment my hands are tied. Nonetheless, I am working to raise as much of the money for repairs as I can on my own.
I'm sure I'm not the only stubborn person who hates to ask for help, but sometimes extenuating circumstances cause us to put our pride aside. We're not alone in this world, and we make massive strides when we collectively help each other, even with tiny gestures. If just a fraction of my followers on all social media were to donate only $5-$10, I could completely cover the costs of the repairs.
I hate to just take free handouts, so for every donation made I'd like to give something back. If you find it in your heart to donate, please comment with your favorite cookie flavor, and I will show my appreciation by shipping you a handmade batch of holiday cookies! It's not much but it's the least I can do.
At the end of the day, material things are just material and more than anything I am thankful for life and health, with no major injuries. My gratitude runs deep no matter what happens, and I thank you all in advance for simply for reading this if nothing else.
With love and gratitude,
Nia Butler
Organizer
Nia Butler
Organizer
Teaneck, NJ