Mackenzie Sorenson

I am writing you to ask for your help. Not for me, but for my young neighbor who recently lost her mother. I know that many of you give to charity or help families during Christmas time, but I am hoping to reach those of you who might not have found someone to help this holiday season. I know that many of us like to contribute towards a positive cause, so I am going out of my comfort zone to ask for help on her behalf. For a little over six years, I have been assisting my neighbor and her daughter keeping up their house in times of need. They live paycheck to paycheck and struggle. They are amazing and kind people. Approximately 6 months ago, the mother and owner of the house, died abruptly because of brain aneurysm leaving her 18 your old daughter in the house by herself. She has no family in town. Her father visits from Reno to help once a month. She has had health issues that have kept her out of public school most of her life and now had to quit school to get a job to pay bills and make ends meet. Her life has physically turned upside down. I promised her mother, before her passing, that I would help fix their bathroom. The bathroom is severely dilapidated and unusable.

Two days ago, I walked into the house to plan my attack on the bathroom I was shocked, deeply saddened, and overwhelmed with what this almost 19-year-old girl was trying to deal with. 90% of her furniture needed replacement and has been removed. She’s in the process of getting rid of the warn out items along with cleaning, all while trying to create a fresh start. Comforted by only piles of her mother’s belongings that she is sorting through, a dining table, a camping chair, and a TV in the corner of one room. Half the baseboards are missing, tiles missing from the some of the floor, lighting throughout the house is extremely inefficient and depressingly dark. The back bedroom was for the animals and is in dire need of a drastic overhaul. Her plan is to get the house into a livable condition and rent a room out to a friend to help offset expenses. These might seem like simple tasks for you or me, but to her and her grieving father, these tasks are extremely daunting and just plain impossible.

On my four days off, December 9th through 12th, I plan to be at her house to start the demolition of the bathroom. There are some technical things that need to be addressed. This includes lighting and electrical in the bathroom and house. Most everything just needs manpower. Tasks include small bathroom demolition, carpet removal, house cleaning, bush trimming, leaf raking, debris removal from gutters and roof. Many hands make light work! Fortunately, I have a group of coworkers, friends, and family lined up to work. I originally planned on helping this young lady with her house when it was financially feasible for her or myself. However, with all the wonderful help offered to do the renovation in a short period of time, this project still needs financial support.

If this letter finds you in the giving spirit, please donate. Your generosity will make a huge impact on this young girl for the first Christmas without her mother and will brighten her future. Thank you for considering and we wish you a wonderful holiday season.

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