Laurie needs our help

This request for help may not sound as compelling or urgent as many you will see online, or that go viral in the media. It is not the story of a young child battling cancer.  Or a mother whose husband has been killed in Afghanistan and must raise three children on her own.  Or a victim of gun violence or a hurricane.  While those are of course all very worthy causes, this is the equally important story of one of the kindest, sweetest, big-hearted people you will ever meet, my cousin Laurie, and a series of unfortunate events. Following a really rough period in her life due to the death of her dear mother, followed quickly by a divorce from her husband of more than 25 years, Laurie found herself having to re-enter the workforce to support herself after spending most of her marriage working in the home and raising her two lovely daughters.  Finding a decent paying job was difficult and after a few stops and starts, Laurie had finally settled into a rhythm with a new job when last month, on her way to work, she was involved in a terrible car crash (NOT her fault) that hospitalized her for 10 days and will keep her out of work for around two months.  Like so many working Americans, Laurie survives paycheck to paycheck, and is barely able to make ends meet on her hourly wage.  She had not yet been employed long enough with her new employer to be eligible for any benefits.  And her car insurance reimbursed her a very low amount for her car, which was totaled in the accident.  She now finds herself in the precarious position of having to juggle all her regular bills as well as buy a new car so she can get herself back to work once she is healed.  This is money that she simply does not have, nor does she have the ability to take on any more debt at this point.  She needs the money as soon as possible to purchase a new car and get back to work, as well as to pay her bills, which are mounting daily.


If you have ever had the privilege of meeting Laurie, you know that there is no one who deserves a break more than she does.  She treats everyone she meets with kindness and respect.  She would do anything for the people that she loves, and today it is she who needs our help.  Laurie did not want to have to ask for help in this situation, but she realizes that it is the only way she will be able to get back on her feet.  At this point she is not asking for any help with medical bills, but simply for funds to cover her daily expenses until she can work again, and to purchase a new car.  Her insurance gave her only $2,600 to replace her car, and that is simply not enough to buy a reliable, and safe, vehicle.  Understandably Laurie is very afraid to get back in a car, and she would ideally like to be able to buy a used small SUV in the $6,000 range, without adding to her monthly bills by financing.


Please donate whatever amount you feel you can afford.  As the saying goes, no amount is too small.  If you can only afford $5-10, that is wonderful.  I would just ask that you share this campaign with your friends and spread the word.  Laurie needs us, and you know she would do the same for you.