Help Sheila Recover After Hurricane Milton

My name is Sarah, and I have started this Go Fund Me for one of the strongest women I have in my life. Sheila Boutwell is the mom of my best friend. Sheila and my mom grew up together, Tiffany and I grew up together and now our generation of kids are growing up together. Today we are 'sisters' and we are each others children's 'aunts'. My children and I would be lost without these women.

Sheila is a mom to me. She may make me stand in the corner after she sees that I have made this for her, but it will be worth it because she NEEDS help. For once in her life, she NEEDS someone to step up for her like she has done repeatedly for everyone in and out of her life for the past 50 years.

She is a woman who is independent, capable, smart, wise, compassionate and, well, stubborn. She is loved by many and over the years has helped MANY and had a hand if not her whole heart and soul in raising more children than were hers, ten fold.

She is a widowed 68 year old who has worked the last ~40 years on her feet 5-6 days a week at Hall’s Wholesale, a Pinellas County staple for the floral community.

She is the sole care provider and care organizer for their family’s hospice bound, incontinent, dementia riddled, 95 year old great aunt. Sheila herself was hospitalized last month to have fluid drained from her lung after being sick for 2+ weeks and still hasn’t recovered (she was to see a pulmonologist last week but Milton has pushed that into late Oct). She shouldn’t be doing HALF of the things she does, and after her recent stay in the hospital it has become more apparent. She certainly can not do this on her own this time.

With this being said, here is the concern and my requests:

-Sheila prepped and evacuated her home in St.Petersburg to join Tiffany in Kissimmee in an airbnb they secured last minute, along with their great aunt and other family members sheltering from Milton. As Sheila pulled into the driveway, her Kia gave up on life. Her car is currently 100 miles away waiting for a scrapper to pick it up. There were unexpected expenses with this situation alone (towing, incidentals trying to get the car started, etc). At the time, they were just thankful to get to their destination... but after realizing the car was done for, the situation became more stressful and difficult. Now, the reality is, she NEEDS a car.

-Sheila's job at Hall's Wholesale Florist sustained major water damage from Milton’s flooding. While the owners are working hard to repair damages so they can continue to serve their employees and our local floral community, Sheila now has no income until they reopen (besides social security).

-Sheila’s home was ravaged by strong winds during Hurricane Milton. There is property damage and weeks worth of clean up, cutting, clearing and hauling to be done from the many trees on her property. We are actively working with anyone who has offered to volunteer their time and tools for this job, but we know there are thousands of people in need right now, many with greater needs. But as I've told Tiffany, just because there are others in need, it does not take away the fact that she and her mom are also in need.

Sheila NEEDS a reliable vehicle to get herself and their great aunt around.

She NEEDS debris removal and help with damages… for obvious reasons.

She NEEDS to be able to afford food and living expenses while her employment is uncertain.

Any and all funds raised will be used specifically to fill these needs. If you are inclined to avoid Go Fund Me because of transaction fees, you can contribute directly to Tiffany via Cash App (username $likeaheartshot) or Venmo (username likeaheartshot - last four of phone is 5601).

I know there are a lot of people in need right now. Please, if you find in your heart to donate only what you can or share this Go Fund Me, I would be truly thankful to you… and I know Tiffany is too.