The Buxton & McGrath Family Fund
Donation protected
As many of you know, my parents Laurette and Jon Buxton are extremely generous, humble, and caring people-often to a fault. Over the past few decades they have continuously cared for various family members in their own home: my Papa (Elwell Buxton) as his health declined from Alzheimer’s, Great Grandmother (Lily Alford) until she passed at 99, Mémé (Rose Marie Buxton) until she became disoriented and needed a higher level of care for the last six months of her life. Not to mention the other relatives and friends of their kids that stayed for shorter periods of time over the years. Very rarely did they ask for help or expect anyone else to share their burden.
During this time, my mom’s health has become increasingly poor with her chronic Crohn’s Disease, hosts of illnesses due to low immune system, and even broken feet from complications due to years of medication weakening her bones. Many days she is unable to move from bed to go to work at the Lake Steven’s High School (LSHS). My mom lives to work at LSHS, she would give anything to be in good enough health to be there regularly helping the special education students that she has an uncanny ability to bond with and help to see their own potential.
My dad has also encountered many trials with his boat the F/V Bravado, including nearly losing everything when the government decided to levy back taxes (plus interest) on certain business transactions he had made years before. To add insult to injury, consistent cuts to his quota value due to declining fish populations (this year is the first without cuts in quite a while) have made it nearly impossible to pay back the loan he had to take out to cover the taxes, leaving the fate of the Bravado in uncertainty.
If these issues weren’t dire enough, last Spring my cousin, Jay McGrath Junior, with a heart of gold decided to take on full care of his two nephews and niece when their parents succumbed to a devastating drug addiction. The only way he could take on custodial guardianship of Jayden, Jazzy, and James was to ask my parents to also become guardians and have the four of them move in full time or the kids would be put into foster care. They have not had contact with their parents since and reunification does not seem likely at this point.
My dad sacrificed his 2016 fishing season and captain share of income to take care of Mémé, my Mom, and the three kids while enabling Jay Jr. to go fishing on the Bravado to earn some income to support the kids. Unfortunately, the Bravado had an engine fire and other mechanical issues last spring and all of Jon’s fishing income (boat share) went to paying bills, loans, and insurance leaving him with virtually no income and very little credit to continue to support himself and Laurette, let alone the four additional family members at home.
Beginning March 2017, they will be out of income resources other than Laurette’s very small paraeducator salary of less than $1500 a month. This puts all of them at risk of losing their home and the stability Laurette, Jon and Jay Jr. have worked so very hard to build for Jayden, Jazzy, and James who previously have had a very inconsistent, volatile, and confusing life.
For all these many reasons, we ask for your assistance and generosity if you can at all afford it. You'll have our sincere gratitude and intention to pay it forward in any and every way possible.
Any donation small, large, or in between (even a share of this GoFundMe Page) would help our family in the following ways until the Bravado hopefully brings in a sustainable income during the 2017 and 2018 season:
1. Monthly Mortgage Payments
2. Groceries
3. Kid’s mental health & wellness visits
4. Kid’s activities & basic needs (a. tutors to catch them up in school, b. second hand clothing-donations also accepted here, c. sports, d. swim lessons, etc.)
5. Credit Card Debt incurred from supporting the family for the past year
During this time, my mom’s health has become increasingly poor with her chronic Crohn’s Disease, hosts of illnesses due to low immune system, and even broken feet from complications due to years of medication weakening her bones. Many days she is unable to move from bed to go to work at the Lake Steven’s High School (LSHS). My mom lives to work at LSHS, she would give anything to be in good enough health to be there regularly helping the special education students that she has an uncanny ability to bond with and help to see their own potential.
My dad has also encountered many trials with his boat the F/V Bravado, including nearly losing everything when the government decided to levy back taxes (plus interest) on certain business transactions he had made years before. To add insult to injury, consistent cuts to his quota value due to declining fish populations (this year is the first without cuts in quite a while) have made it nearly impossible to pay back the loan he had to take out to cover the taxes, leaving the fate of the Bravado in uncertainty.
If these issues weren’t dire enough, last Spring my cousin, Jay McGrath Junior, with a heart of gold decided to take on full care of his two nephews and niece when their parents succumbed to a devastating drug addiction. The only way he could take on custodial guardianship of Jayden, Jazzy, and James was to ask my parents to also become guardians and have the four of them move in full time or the kids would be put into foster care. They have not had contact with their parents since and reunification does not seem likely at this point.
My dad sacrificed his 2016 fishing season and captain share of income to take care of Mémé, my Mom, and the three kids while enabling Jay Jr. to go fishing on the Bravado to earn some income to support the kids. Unfortunately, the Bravado had an engine fire and other mechanical issues last spring and all of Jon’s fishing income (boat share) went to paying bills, loans, and insurance leaving him with virtually no income and very little credit to continue to support himself and Laurette, let alone the four additional family members at home.
Beginning March 2017, they will be out of income resources other than Laurette’s very small paraeducator salary of less than $1500 a month. This puts all of them at risk of losing their home and the stability Laurette, Jon and Jay Jr. have worked so very hard to build for Jayden, Jazzy, and James who previously have had a very inconsistent, volatile, and confusing life.
For all these many reasons, we ask for your assistance and generosity if you can at all afford it. You'll have our sincere gratitude and intention to pay it forward in any and every way possible.
Any donation small, large, or in between (even a share of this GoFundMe Page) would help our family in the following ways until the Bravado hopefully brings in a sustainable income during the 2017 and 2018 season:
1. Monthly Mortgage Payments
2. Groceries
3. Kid’s mental health & wellness visits
4. Kid’s activities & basic needs (a. tutors to catch them up in school, b. second hand clothing-donations also accepted here, c. sports, d. swim lessons, etc.)
5. Credit Card Debt incurred from supporting the family for the past year
Organizer and beneficiary
Stephanie Myer
Organizer
Lake Stevens, WA
Jon Buxton
Beneficiary