Support for the Stegengas

I’m writing to request your financial support for my dear friend, Tracey Stegenga, her husband Scott, and 6 year-old daughter Melle. This past Spring, the Stegengas, like many Americans, were faced with the devastation of losing their family’s main source of income, when Scott was laid off from his job due to COVID-19. The layoff came at a time when each member of this precious family was already undergoing tremendous stress and trauma, which, out of respect for their privacy, I will not fully disclose.

What I will say is that, in addition to the layoff, the Stegengas have been faced with major health problems, which threaten to become worse due to dwindling finances, expensive medications, extreme financial stress, and uncertainty. My friend Tracey suffers from chronic, excruciating physical pain caused by nerve damage and systemic inflammation. At times, the inflammation becomes so severe that she is paralyzed and must be hospitalized. Additionally, Tracey suffers from intense allergic reactions and severe asthma. Recently, her lungs developed second degree burns, due to unfavorable living conditions, which included exposure to mold and industrial chemicals. If that’s not bad enough, Tracey sustained neurological injury due to a surgery several years ago, leaving her physically disabled and cognitively impacted (although she’s still one of the smartest people I’ve ever met!). Tracey frequently relies on a walker to move about, and she is unable to drive or read for extended periods of time, which pose difficult challenges to employment. Tracey can not always afford to buy the medications that are so critical to her pain management and overall well-being.

Scott is passionate about providing for his family, and is fervently seeking employment, participating in professional development, mentoring, and coaching and doing all that he can to obtain the necessary resources for his family. However, the moratorium on evictions is nearly over, stimulus funds are ready to end, food banks are cutting back, and the family needs help NOW! Please, out of the kindness of your heart, donate what you can to help this family have a home, medicine, and food.

The light of this precious family is their beautiful daughter Melle. Melle has seen her family go through A LOT, including the fear of not having a home, seeing her mommy in pain and physically unwell, and seeing her daddy carry the weight of providing for their family, not knowing where the resources will come from. I know Melle well, as she is one of my 5 year-old’s best friends! Melle is a very special little girl, who is so loving, creative, brilliant, and gifted. This little girl has been in the pressure cooker of life with her family, watching them sustain stress after stress and trauma after trauma. And yet, Melle is full of joy and wonder, LOVES her schooling, was eager to do all the extra homework in her online Kindergarten studies, and received faith-based instruction that helped even a little girl stay spiritually strong. But, Melle may lose all of this, because their family can not afford it.

Please, help this family, which is in dire need. I haven’t even gotten around to explaining how much they have done for my family and for their community. The Stegengas are givers, lovers, and hard-workers to the max! The only reason I even have permission to appeal to you in this way, on their behalf, is because they truly need immediate financial support, and because I don’t want to see my dear friends go through another night of wondering how they will buy medicine, if they will have enough food, if they will be able to keep a roof over their heads, and if their little girl will be able to continue her studies at the school she loves.

If each of us donates even just a little, the Stegenga family’s life would be changed and so very blessed! I already know that their hearts will brim with appreciation, and that they will ultimately pay their blessings forward! Please help!!! If financial support is not an option for you, please pray for the Stegenga Family.

Sincerely and from the bottom of my heart, Robin Sehler

PS - If you'd prefer to show your support through Venmo, the Stegenga family account is "Scott-Steg". Thank you for your consideration! Additionally, the Stegenga family’s story was recently featured on ABC Nightline, World News Tonight with David Muir!, and Good Morning America.  

Good Morning America: https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/news/video/unemployed-fighting-stay-afloat-extended-covid-19-benefits-72229239 

Nightline: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJHHqWEOzGw  

World News Tonight with David Muir!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TS1ChOfWfRI