In Loving Memory of Vinny: Support Norine

Dear Friends, Family, and Community,

My name is Norine Mungo and I have been trying to raise funds for Ongoing Medical Bills that are coming in and I’m still paying off the prior ones from the earlier fund raising of which I’m grateful.

We had to move the service up to November 16th due to the two hurricanes hitting our area here in Clearwater, Florida. My damage was to my AC unit which I had to place on a credit card, which I was charged 125 for the service call, and 450 for the labor. All my hurricane shutters blew off my home and need to be repaired or replaced. I’m not sure how much that will be but the shutters have been gathered and I’m finding out how to fix them. The underside of my home was exposed to the wind and powerful rain which exasperated the problem with my vapor barrier, which was older and now I see insulation hanging from several areas under my manufactured home. FEMA can’t help me because they say if house isn’t totaled or if it’s livable that there are no funds for that . And because of the age of my home I can’t get home insurance. This is such a burden navigating this after my husband of 51 years passed 8 weeks ago. As we’ve raised funds through several mediums and a benefit I’ve lowered the fund amount.

I could really use the help right now.

My friends from Tampa Bay Ukulele Society have been so helpful and supportive. And family and friends have pitched in too. But the hurricanes complicated everything and I fear that my floors are rapidly becoming unstable. I think if I can just get those damaged areas in the vapor barrier repaired it shouldn’t cost too awfully much. They quoted 8k for the whole barrier but I believe it could be as low as 1k to just have those torn areas repaired. I have friends to help me repair the inside which is not bad, but just need to fix a few areas where the floors above the tears are soft.

I live in Doral Village and my home is actually in way better shape than many homes here that lost carports, roofs, Florida rooms, and some had tree damage. So in that, I’m blessed.

Hoping we can reach the goal so I can pay the last of these medical bills and try to repair the areas that tore open under the house, etc.

Prior Message:

There are no words to fully express the depth of my gratitude for the love and support you have shown me in these past weeks. Vinny was my heart, my best friend, and the music that played in my life every single day. His laughter, his songs, and his endless friendship and care filled every room he walked into, and now, though the silence is profound, I still feel his presence in every melody I hear.

In this time of transition, I find myself surrounded by beautiful memories, but also with many practical needs I am struggling to manage. Between the costs we ran up on credit debt for the medical care, equipment, and meds that were employed to try to save Vincent Mungo, and the loss of his income, compounded by legal costs and probates, it has become overwhelming.

We had a Fundraiser Benefit Event coordinated by Peter Grace on September 18th and raised a little over 3k. And here we’ve raised under 2k.

I’m appreciative and this will help me move forward and ease the burden of the unexpected costs that come with losing him.

For your kind words and shared memories of Vinny, I am deeply thankful. Your support helps me take one step at a time through this difficult journey, and I know that Vinny would be grateful to see how much love is surrounding me. If you’re on Facebook, please share photos you might have of Vinny’s performances, life, childhood, as we’re creating a video for his celebration of life now held on Nov 16.

With love and gratitude,  

Ever Strumming,

Norine Mungo