Honoring Rubi & Coming Along Side the Vergara Family

Hello all,

We are Elise and Jason McFarlane and we created this fundraiser for our friend Jenn whose life (and son's life) was forever change by the tragic events that took place at ALCS on December 16th. We've called City Church home (previously Mad City and Lake City Churches prior to their merge in December 2010) for over two decades. City Church is the governing church overseeing Abundant Life Christian Schools. In our time with City Church we've volunteered in the food and kids ministry and while volunteering, we (in particular Elise) have had the pleasure of gaining an invaluable friendship with Jenn Vergara. We are sharing the following with Jenn's permission and in partnership with Jenn's dearest friend Dawn.

On Monday December 16th 2024 a shooting occurred at Abundant Life Christian school. One of the precious lives taken in this tragedy was Rubi Vergara, the beautiful, talented and gentle spirited daughter of our dear friend, mentor and sister in the Lord, Jenn Vergara. Rubi was also the big sister to Adrian, a young man we had the pleasure of having in our kid’s church classroom on several occasions.

As a parent one can only imagine that managing day to day familial obligations and planning for future financial needs like college tuition for a child while simultaneously navigating such grief even with the strongest of faith in God, and knowing the goodbye to Rubi is temporary this side of Heaven, could still be a tremendously heavy and overwhelming task. One of the ways we hope to help the Vergara family is to come along side Jenn and Adrian to raise these funds for Adrian's future educational needs/endeavors and or the potential financial needs of Jenn and Adrian that may arise in the near future so they can focus on honoring Rubi's memory and their new path as a family in the wake of this life altering tragic event.

Any and all funds received through this fundraiser will go directly to Jenn to be used at her discretion for Adrian's academic needs or financial familial obligations (as described above).

To know Jenn is to know a selfless heart and one for worship and service to her community, all to give God the glory. Jenn exemplifies care for others before self and it’s clear her children inherited her gentle strength and faith of their own. We are hoping you will partner with us, to bless/help Jenn and Adrian in this time of grief and loss. If you are unable to give a monetary gift we ask that you continue to lift the Vergara family (and the broader ALCS community) up in prayer, as this is just as important.

God’s word says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those crushed in spirit.” God we thank you for being close to this precious family and we thank you for holding them in this heartbreak. Thank you for the gift of your son Jesus and welcoming Rubi to her eternal home. We know that in all things you work for the good of those who love you, who have been called according to your purpose. Amen

Thank you in advance and God bless.

John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”