Jeff Mezger Family Emergency Fund

As some of you know, my brother-in-law Jeff was rushed to the hospital late at night on March 18 and, several surgeries and procedures later, has yet to be released. The infection in his foot was much more severe than anyone realized -- doctors report that waiting just 6 more hours to come in would have killed him -- and even now his poor post-op kidney function is interfering with his release to a rehab center.

The hospital where Jeff is receiving treatment is an hour from home; well, 40 minutes if his wife Kelly is driving. ;) This means that not only are Jeff and Kelly not working and therefore not generating an income, but the family is incurring substantial out-of-the-ordinary travel, parking, food and lodging expenses, as Kelly tries to spend as much time as possible with him and the kids.

I may be biased, since this household contains four of my very favorite people, but the Jeff Mezger Family is an extraordinary group of humans. They are connected to countless communities: Special Olympics, Bloomington North HS, Indiana University sports, Arizona State baseball, ProCamps.... so many I can't keep up (and have no idea how THEY do!) All of this activity is in the name of Zach and supporting the passions and relationships that he values. Through it all, their family unit is locked tight, their faith is rock-steady, and they work each day to "Pay it Forward." Challenges and adversity seem relentless at times, but the four of them handle all of it with a grace and positivity that leaves me breathless.

You may remember when Zachery underwent brain surgery a few years ago.  At that time, friends mobilized a GoFundMe drive that raised around $6,000 for the family. That was so helpful, as similar travel/parking/food/lodging costs were eating into an already taxed budget; however, that was at a time when there was at least one breadwinner generating income. This situation is much different. Jeff is The Dude of the family, but is looking at weeks and weeks in a nursing home (once he is finally released from the hospital), followed by potentially more surgery and more rehabilitation. Kelly is split between wherever Jeff is and home. Amelia is taking care of the house and Zach (who may be wonderful, but he IS a Mezger and definitely not an easy charge). Zach is feeling better physically than he was when all of this started but, while staying strong for his dad, is understandably all over the place emotionally. Everyone is actually... he just shows it more.

In the end, this family needs our support. Kelly has repeatedly called for very specific prayers through her detailed Facebook posts and, so far, skilled doctors, healing and patience have been granted. What they need now is something that's hard for them to admit but something all of us can give -- and that is money. Please contribute even a little bit towards these immediate travel/parking and general household expenses that are smothering this family right now.

Keep those prayers and postive energies flowing. Family is everything. Love and blessings to you all!