Serina and baby Dagne Could Use Your Help

FUNDRAISER UPDATE 3-27-22: AFTER 100 DAYS IN THE NICU, BABY DAGNE IS HOME!! As promised, every dollar raised has been given to Serina and Ryan (I covered the fees taken by the GoFundMe platform as my contribution) and, as expected, they were overjoyed and utterly astounded by everyone's generosity. :) Now that Dagne is home, I have closed this fundraiser for donations. 

THANK YOU ALL for your contributions. I am overjoyed that we surpassed our goal. You are all truly amazing!
Hug and kiss your loved ones and hold them tightly. 

Sincerely, 
Sio


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My name is Siobhan, and many of you may know me, but I’m not raising funds for me. I’m raising funds for our dear friend, Serina Schaefer and her boyfriend, Ryan Tinkey, and their recently expanded family—specifically, their sweet, tiny preemie, Dagne Kayleen Tinkey. Dagne was born December 17, 2021. However, as many of you may already know (or have just recently found out), she wasn’t expected to arrive until March 2022 (the second surprise that this little baby girl would bring)!

 

Yes, tiny Dagne was a surprise, but a pleasant and welcomed one to Serina and Ryan and this little miracle couldn’t have been delivered by the stork to more well-deserving human beings. Only, this was no gently-gliding, smiling, witty little stork who delicately placed the neatly wrapped infant into the arms of the patiently expecting mother. Nope. In true Serina-fashion this was a 2022 Special Edition Stork who drove an ambulance, flew a flight-for-life helicopter, had a several-night-hospital stay minimum requirement, and came with a side of emergency medical attention. And that was just the beginning.

 

They say “a winner is a dreamer who never gives up” and “things work out best for those who make the best of how things work out.” Well, when it comes to good people who make the best out of any situation and never give up, Serina is queen. Only, life just never seems to make anything easy for our warrior queen. I’d like to try and make it just a little easier with your help!

 

I have no doubt that most, if not all of you who read this and who personally know Serina, know first-hand that she is a good person—the best, in fact. And from what I’ve seen from and heard about Ryan, he’s definitely a good man.  While I haven’t known Ryan for very long, I have known Serina for over 20 years and am privileged to call her one of my very best friends, and I can certainly vouch for Serina’s endless selflessness. She gives and gives until she has nothing left for herself and, yet, never expects anything in return but your faithful friendship.

 

Shirt off her back? You KNOW she will (and has).

Ride home in the cold? EVERY TIME.

An ear to bend? Until it’s falling OFF.

A beer to cry in? She’ll keep ‘em coming until those tears are drowned out.

A nickel to spare? She’ll give her LAST dime.

Food when you’re hungry? Yep, and it will be 100% HOMEMADE, AND there will be leftovers.

Fill in for your shift? She’s got you COVERED.

Place to crash? She’ll give her OWN bed and sleep on the couch.

 

Yes, Serina seems to be EVERYONE’s go-to-girl. Only now, there is another little girl calling on her. She is barely 2 lbs and needs every bit of her amazing and wonderful mom she can get.

And Serina, though she will NEVER admit it, NEVER ask for it, and NEVER just accept it, could use our help.

 

There may be some financial relief on the horizon by way of endless paperwork (and we all know how that goes). And there are family members and friends wanting and asking to help relieve her of some of the financial burdens, but together (and by circumventing the need for her to say “ok” and open her hand to allow us to help), I think we CAN help.

 

Her new little angel is doing well and better each day, but she will likely not be coming home for another few months still. I’d like to relieve Serina and Ryan of the headache, stress and despair of any financial burdens so they can focus on what’s most important—bringing their new baby home and into their arms and the arms of her big brother!

 

So I’m asking you to give back. Give back for each and every time she’s been there for you and for her new tiny little Tinkey.

 

And if you DO know Serina, you’ll understand why I’m asking you all to keep this fundraiser and your donations a secret for now. Meaning, please feel free to pass along the link to Serina’s friends and others who you think may want to help out, but please, if you can, keep it hidden from Serina for now.

 

I will be collecting your donations on her behalf until the day Dagne comes home, at which time I will close the donations. Then all your donations will be presented to her, along with any kind words you wish to share, via a check in Serina’s name (so she can’t say “I can’t”)!

 

I sincerely appreciate your kindness and anything you can spare to help out! Thank you in advance!