Help Family of Sarah Costine Mass Shooting Victim

Carlene Hartline is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of William Elerson.

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I'm Carlene, the sister of Sarah Costine (going by her Muslim name Sa'idah), and I am hoping to raise funds to help my nieces and nephews in Norfolk VA.

On November 3rd, my sister's life was suddenly and tragically taken in a terrible and senseless act of violence. Outside her apartment in Norfolk she heard shots fired. She and other neighbors rushed to aid the woman who was shot during a domestic dispute. The gunman turned on and shot those trying to help. My sister, along with two other women, were murdered and others wounded.

Sa'idah was a fiercely strong woman. She battled cancer multiple times and overcame it by all odds. Not two years ago did her and her children experience a terrible loss of all their belongings during a house fire in their home in Georgia. Moving to Norfolk VA was their fresh start.

Anyone that knew Sa'idah knew she had a huge heart and did everything for her children. She was resourceful, courageous, deeply empathetic and kind. She'd help anyone in need, even at her own expense. And that night she died a hero.

Sa'idah leaves behind six children, three of which were in her care and saw this violent mass shooting firsthand. We are working to keep the kids together but will need help as the older siblings become primary caregivers to their little brothers. At this point they need all the help they can get, especially as my sister was still in the process of rebuilding from the fire. All funds will go to meet the following needs for the family during this process:

Funeral arrangements- it will be an open casket with a service in the coming week.
Cremation and remembrance urns for each of the children.
Meals for a month (at least) while they mourn and get settled.
Furniture- the youngest boys still need a bunk bed and mattresses, dressers, and bedding.
Clothes for school- including winter coats, hats, gloves, etc.
Moving expenses, U-haul, boxes, etc for relocation of the younger kids.

Any additional funds raised will go to help the kids find a semblance of normalcy through school and sports activities as well as mental heath treatment.

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