DU Family. I need a Christmas Miracle I think. I'm sorry. (UPDATE)

[retrowire]

Last edited Sat Dec 26, 2015, 03:37 PM - Edit history (8)

I was told that, if you ask, you shall receive.

But I also know that, no one is ever obligated to help you. So I understand if no one can extend any kind of helping hand.

But if you'll hear me out and you think you can help, please read onward.

--

My wife's side of the family has been on very hard times for quite a while now. They are a family of 5 that live in an old house on the side of the highway. The old house has no insulation in the walls, the only means with which they can heat the home is with space heaters. This obviously leads to high electrical bills.

The only members of the family capable of working, (2 of the 5, the others suffer from disabilities beyond their control) have either A) lost their job due to downsizing, even though she is a college educated Medical Scientist (that's my mother in law btw) and B) isn't getting any work at the moment. (that's my brother in law, who works in contractual contruction). My mother in law's unemployment benefits ran out months ago, and we fear she keeps getting rejected for job interviews because of ageism.

A few weeks ago, she fell and tore her shoulder, now she needs surgery. She's currently trying to apply for disability as it's the only way she'll be able to afford surgery and that could take years.

Before winter, this is the worst time for them to come up short on money. My father in law is stricken with many physical ailments, from MS to Glaucoma and much more, needs the heat on in order to basically, survive.

They are an honest and good family, despite their own financial troubles, they will still give anyone the shirts off their backs if anyone else needed it. They are the most amazing people I've ever met, I've never known anything but kindness and selflessness from them.

They're currently 6 months behind on their rent, their electrical bill has reached an amount that they cannot currently pay and so we fear the electricity could be shut off soon. There is only one car for them to use, and it's in need of a new water pump, tires and the starter has been acting up for a month.

The odds are stacked against them, and they did nothing to deserve it, they did nothing to bring it upon themselves.

So if you can, please help. Thank you. And I'm sorry again, I don't mean to inconvenience anyone.

----

UPDATE: I just created this fundraising page. https://www.youcaring.com/the-st-onge-family-492102

For those who can only help via PayPal: paypal.me/retrowire

UPDATE: Feel free to share the fundraising page if you can, even if you can't give anything, sharing this is just as helpful. Thank you all SO much. We are amazed.

UPDATE: Our fundraiser has reached the halfway mark! And we've written an update to all of you on the fundraising page, check it out! Thank you so much!!

Excerpt from the update: So you may have noticed there is still a ways to go. This is because, if the goal is reached, then we will have essentially wiped their debt slate clean. It will truly give my in laws a brand new start on life.

The outstanding debts that remain are:

-4 months of back rent.
-January’s rent.
-January’s electric bill.
-Tires for their car.
-January medical expense for my in laws.


The fact is, there is still no source of income for them other than my father in law’s small disability check. We have certainly given them security for the time being, but as with all things in life, nothing is certain. If no one in the family is able to secure work in January, then we’ll be back to square one with the electrical bill. This is why I ask for more help.

If we make it to the goal, we will be giving them a New Year to start from scratch.

[virtualobserver]

1. have you set up a personal donation website.....something like giveforward?

[retrowire]

3. I have not, my wife is currently looking at GoFundMe

I've never done this before so I don't know what is best for others.

I do have a Paypal, but whatever is best for others, I will do. I'll look into that one.

[virtualobserver]

4. cool, we will wait to hear from you

[retrowire]

11. I just set it up. Thanks for recommending I find one.

https://www.youcaring.com/the-st-onge-family-492102

[beam me up scottie]

12. Edit your op and add the account so people will see it.

I'll chip in what I can, I know what it's like to be without heat.

[retrowire]

15. Done. Thanks so much. nt

[beam me up scottie]

32. I just donated, it's not much but I've been there.

I'll keep a good thought for you and your family.

[retrowire]

67. My mother in law will be delighted to know that a Star Trek fan sent holiday cheer her way.

Thanks again.

[NanceGreggs]

2. Stop with the apologies already!

You're doing the right thing by asking for help.

Kicking for visibility.

[MADem]

5. In most communities, the utility companies will NOT cut off the power/gas/whatever if the

utility customer contacts them and says they are having trouble. It's important to notify them beforehand.

They still will want their money and they will set up a payment plan, but they won't cut off the power. That should be their first step.

Then, they should see if there are utility assistance programs in their state or city and apply for those.

The GOFUNDME page is a good idea too.

[Wounded Bear]

6. K & R...for visibility...nt

[leftofcool]

7. Let us know as soon as you have a site set up.

I can and will help.

[retrowire]

16. The site is set up now.

...I'm sorry for being an ass to you in the forums. First and foremost, I should really apologize to you. I am sorry.

[leftofcool]

35. Meh! It's the primaries. No apology necessary! Ever!

[retrowire]

37. I'm still ashamed. Bless you. thank you SO much. nt

[japple]

50. Do.not. feel. ashamed. Ever. We are all in this life together. Some of us have less, some have

more. Those of us at Democratic Underground understand this. That's why we are here on this site. Bless you for letting us help even out things for you.

Peace and love to you and your family.

[retrowire]

57. I'm speechless. Thank you. nt

[Juicy_Bellows]

8. You're a good egg Retrowire - Give me a link and I can help you out.

Cheers.

[retrowire]

17. The link has been placed in the op. Thank you. nt

[Juicy_Bellows]

21. Sorry I couldn't do more.

I hope it helps.

Peace.

[retrowire]

24. You did something, and that's the greatest thing. Thank you so much. nt

[Juicy_Bellows]

25. Keep us posted man, hope all goes well.

As you well know, money is tight this time of year but we're here for ya.

[KentuckyWoman]

9. You should be able to set up an account with the electric company and a local bank.

They assign it a bank account so people can give direct to that and know for sure where the money is going.

Also if no one has contacted United Way it's way past time time to do so.

If you get an account set up.... or if you have their electric company account number and the number to call for bill pay so payments can be called in direct please PM me.

My husband is going through chemo right now and no one is working at my house. I can't pay the whole bill I'm sure but we can help.

[retrowire]

22. Thank you very much.

But I'd rather you tend to your needs and your husband. Your kindness is much appreciated.

I will definitely look into United Way.

Regarding the setting up a bank account for the electrical, we'll look into that if their son doesn't find work soon.

[mnhtnbb]

10. I can toss in a few $$ when you get a link set up.

[retrowire]

18. The link has been set up in the OP. Thank you so much. nt

[mnhtnbb]

105. I posted a story in The Lounge

in this thread http://www.democraticunderground.com/1018824904

where I offered to pay for two items for the woman ahead of me in line at Michael's yesterday. She turned me down, so that
cash is still staying in NC and I hope it helps a bit! I am so sorry to hear of the difficulties your family is having--and it just burns me
up that the unemployment insurance benefits were cut so drastically by the Repubs in this state. They are such heartless and mean-spirited
people.

[JustAnotherGen]

13. Done! And don't apologize

[retrowire]

20. We are SO humbled by everyones donations.

My wife is in tears right now. We are amazed at how much people are willing to help a family they've never even met. Bless you. Thank you SO much.

[MissDeeds]

14. So sorry for what your family is going through, retrowire

I'll donate what I can.

[retrowire]

29. Thank you so much. nt

[CaliforniaPeggy]

19. Glad you asked for help, and glad I could help!

[retrowire]

23. Thank you SO much. We're very humbled. nt

[Juicy_Bellows]

26. The replies on this thread are moving.

DU is full of a bunch of good people.

[retrowire]

28. My wife and I are really amazed.

My wife broke down in tears as soon as she saw the first donations roll in. We are so very humbled at the fact that complete strangers would give to a family in need that they have never met.

When you live in this world and lose faith in people just about everyday, something like this comes along and just... blows your mind.

[virtualobserver]

34. not strangers....you are part of our family

[leftofcool]

38. But, we aren't strangers, we are family.

We fight and whine and complain to and at each other but you can't find any family that doesn't do that. I guess it's like a marriage and I'm pretty sure most of us here on DU could use a marriage counselor.

[retrowire]

70. That's a very fitting analogy. :) nt

[virtualobserver]

27. K & R

[notadmblnd]

30. Merry Christmas

nt

[retrowire]

31. Thank you. So much.

Please have a Merry Christmas yourself.

[notadmblnd]

33. Thank you!

[monmouth4]

36. Enjoy the holidays...n/t

[retrowire]

39. Thank you! This is amazing. I cannot believe this. nt

[leftofcool]

40. Hope I did some good. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

[retrowire]

41. You certainly did. Thank you SO much.

And Merry Christmas to you and yours.

[tandot]

42. getting paid tomorrow and have to wait until then

our account balance is pretty low.

I hope a lot of people chip in!

[retrowire]

43. Your thoughts and consideration mean the world to us, thank you so much. nt

[Omaha Steve]

44. Marta and I are kicking in

We have helped a few other DUers with Christmas again this year too.

K&R

OS

[retrowire]

48. OS Thank you so much. You are a legend.

This is truly overwhelming.

[Omaha Steve]

51. The site wouldn't take our cards

So we went with PayPal no problem.

[retrowire]

55. Thank you so much Steve!

Merry Christmas to you and Marta. We are so humbled by you.

[Omaha Steve]

163. IF the site doesn't want to take your credit card try another browser

Marta figured that out.

OS

[roody]

45. Knr

[renate]

46. this seems to be a pretty useful website

http://www.needhelppayingbills.com/

The ".com" part made me suspicious, but just clicking around a little bit I haven't found any requests for money; it's just sort of a one-stop list of helpful agencies and programs.

Your wife's family sound like absolutely wonderful people

[retrowire]

49. Thank you, everything helps. nt

[leftofcool]

47. Kicking

[stage left]

52. I'll be happy to help

That's what Christmas is all about, isn't it? it won't be a lot, but it will be something added to the pool.Happy Holidays!
J

[retrowire]

61. We're certainly feeling the spirit. Thank you so much. nt

[ejbr]

53. Done. I wish them well n/t

[retrowire]

59. Thank you! We wish you and yours well! nt

[PADemD]

54. Your Area Agency on Aging may also be of help.

That's who I contacted for my mother years ago. They sent us a long list to check out; and, because of her very low SS income, she was eligible for many programs.

[villager]

56. Just donated a little!

here's looking forward to you pulling in the full amount for them by New Year's!

Happy Merry!

[retrowire]

58. Bless you so much. Thank you so much. nt

[MerryBlooms]

60. It's been a very tough year for so many.

I wish your family the very best and wish I could donate.

[retrowire]

62. Thank you so much. nt

[SammyWinstonJack]

63. KnR

[retrowire]

64. Thank you. nt

[Sissyk]

65. Done.

Have a wonderful Holiday.

[retrowire]

66. Thank you so much! You have a wonderful holiday as well. Wow. nt

[Hekate]

68. KnR for visibility

[retrowire]

69. Thank you, everything helps. nt

[AzDar]

71. Everyone needs a bit of help sometime... All the best to you and yours.

[retrowire]

73. Thanks so much. nt

[Live and Learn]

72. K&R nt

[retrowire]

76. Thank you, everything helps. nt

[Live and Learn]

95. Sorry, didn't have time to elaborate earlier. I sent something and you have absolutely nothing

to apologize for. You are a wonderful son-in-law for reaching out for them.

It is a crying shame that in one of the richest countries in the world, we have so many people in such dire circumstances.

Hope you and yours are safe and warm for the holidays.

[question everything]

74. Hope my small donation helps

In addition, can you talk to social services in your community for some ideas?

[retrowire]

75. Thank you so much.

As of now, the only way any government thing has helped is with food stamps.

Thank you, I'll talk with my in laws tomorrow about the options they can try.

[Change has come]

77. Happy to help

[retrowire]

78. Thank you!! Have a Merry Christmas! nt

[Skittles]

79. don't feel sorry

everyone needs help sometimes

[retrowire]

80. I just wish I didn't have to bother anyone.

I just wish I could do it all on my own for them. I'm just really thankful right now that apparently, I've got friends in high places.

[Skittles]

81. you deserve it, retrowire!

I hope you and your family have a nice Christmas

[retrowire]

82. And we wish you the same. Thank you so much. nt

[roody]

93. You are not bothering anyone.

You are giving us an opportunity to experience the joy of giving.

[tblue37]

97. No one can do it all alone. We are family here on DU. We help each other! nt

[one_voice]

83. Happy to help.

[Liberal_in_LA]

84. kick

[Mnemosyne]

85. KnR nt

[in_cog_ni_to]

86. Anything for you kiddo!

I'm happy to help. You're so sweet to do this for your family. I'm sending good Karma their way.

[retrowire]

87. thank you so much incognito!!

have a very Merry Christmas!

[in_cog_ni_to]

90. You too. n/t

[MrMickeysMom]

88. May this give them a hand up and better 2016, retro

Your friend,

MMM

[retrowire]

89. Thank you! gah, I'm really feeling the love. you're wonderful! nt

[ohheckyeah]

119. I hope this helps a bit. Wish I could do more. I just had a second stroke in a years time and am

Blessed my family is helping with the thousands of dollars of medical bills. Merry Christmas hope 2016 is better.

[MrMickeysMom]

129. My wish is for single payer health care... Look at what they make families do...

... Not that your family WOULDN'T do everything they could, but this is not how we strive to survive with old age, or any other thing that happens in our lifetimes of being decent working people who contribute to society, certainly contribute taxes to a better democracy.

May we all have this sooner than later and best to you, meanwhile.

[ohheckyeah]

141. Thank you. I'm blessed to have a good family. My parents have always

Given 10%of their salary to somebody that needed it. That's their baseline. They've fed, dressed, and taken care of more people than I can name. People of all races and religions. At 88 dad was and mom is more liberal than my siblings.

Did you figure out a way for me to use paypal?

[MrMickeysMom]

142. I think you must be directing that last question to someone else...

I couldn't help with PayPal info.

[williesgirl]

91. Just messaged myself so I'll remember in the AM to donate

When I'm on my computer instead of phone. Don't have credit card info handy. I'm so to hear these good people are having a very rough time.

[Fumesucker]

92. K&R for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and yours...

[2theleft]

94. Donated a little, will try to do more next week

Happy Holidays to your family!!

[TheOther95Percent]

96. My MIL's Gift

For several years now, my MIL has asked me to give away what I would spend on her Christmas gift. I'll print off the page from the donation site and put it in an envelope. I hope that things start to look up for your wife's family.

[tblue37]

98. I love your MIL! I wish I had someone I could do that with. I would have been glad to make my

donation in someone else's name! I would have kept them anonymous, too, of course, just as I did myself, but it would be so cool to be able to hand someone a printout saying that the donation was from them as their Christmas gift from me.

[unapatriciated]

178. That is what we do, with my daughter.

She has sent donations in our name to various charities for the last two christmas seasons. My hubby and I pick someone every year (from 2003 t0 2013 we picked a unit overseas) to give a gift to. This year it was a fellow co-worker for his gift and mine was this posters family.

[progressoid]

99. Done.

Not much. Hope it helps relieve the stress a bit.

Merry Christmas!

[tblue37]

100. It looks as though you might hit your goal before New Year's. I am keeping my fingers

crossed for your wife's family. I wish my donation could be larger, but I was touched to see how generous some of the donors have been. DU is full of people who take the edge off the cynicism that has grown on me as I age. DU restores my faith in humanity.

[nadinbrzezinski]

101. Just gave you a tad, and good luck

[Flying Squirrel]

102. Did what I could... Good luck!

[DFW]

103. Still in Germany, but sent something from the account in Texas

I think it went through.

[retrowire]

104. Thank you for your long distance generosity!! nt

[DFW]

106. Glad to help out.

Next time, it might be me, after all. No one gets immunity from life.

[steve2470]

107. I hope you get all the help you need

Best wishes to you and Merry Christmas. I would help but I'm broke, so sorry.

[retrowire]

123. your thoughts mean just as much

if you're able to share the fundraising link with others that would also be very much appreciated.

[japple]

108. Bumping

[retrowire]

109. thank you. nt

[bunnies]

110. Glad to help.

Wish I could do more. Dont EVER apologize for needing help.

[steve2470]

111. bump nt

[retrowire]

112. thank you very much. nt

[restorefreedom]

113. a fresh kick

hoping the new year brings blessings to your family, retrowire.

the responses in this thread from supporters of all candidates remind me one of the reasons we all ended up here to begin with. to fight to make the country better.

all the best, rw

[retrowire]

115. truly, it is humbling

even a few of the users that I've had terrible arguments with have helped my family.

love truly knows no divide.

[restorefreedom]

117. i do believe its one of the reasons dems and progressives rock. nt

[retrowire]

118. yes, i can't help but think

conservatives would have approached this differently.

is the family Christian?

let's pray about it.

now I'll donate funds.... maybe

but here, it's just all out, unadulterated charity and compassion. I'm amazed.

[restorefreedom]

121. yup. conservative "christians" exist in their own world, sadly. nt

[glinda]

114. KICK

[retrowire]

116. thank you! nt

[ohheckyeah]

120. Apaypal link not working for me.

[retrowire]

122. i can pm you my PayPal email if that would help

and even if you can't donate, the thought means a lot to us. thank you very much.

[steve2470]

124. bump nt

[retrowire]

125. thanks again! nt

[merrily]

126. done

[retrowire]

134. Thank you mama merrily!!! nt

[questionseverything]

127. bumpybumpbump

kicketykickkickkick

look at frosty go

bumpybumpbump

bumbybumbbumb

over the hills of snow

[Stillwater]

128. Just donated

I don't post here much, but wanted to help. I donated a little. I hope it helps. Merry Christmas

[retrowire]

131. Thanks so much. we appreciate it very much. nt

[leftofcool]

130. Bump, bump bumpa bump bump

[virtualobserver]

132. how did your wife's family take the news?

it must have been fun letting them know.

A lot of DU'ers are travelling, so we need to keep this kicked for visibility.....halfway there in 24 hrs is encouraging though. Maybe some of us can do a little more in a week or so.

[retrowire]

133. I just let them know we hit the halfway mark

Last edited Thu Dec 24, 2015, 09:50 PM - Edit history (1)

my mother in law cried. they were floored, I'll write an official update tomorrow!

[virtualobserver]

146. christmas bump

[virtualobserver]

159. kick

[leftofcool]

135. Kicking

[mnhtnbb]

136. Kicking again for visibility. If you have a little left over for a stocking stuffer...

please consider making a donation from Santa tonight!

[retrowire]

139. we will certainly pay this act of kindness forward nt

[TheBlackAdder]

137. Bazinga!

.

But, it's not a trick or prank... Sent via PayPal.

Best wishes!

-TBA

.

[retrowire]

140. Thank you SO much BA!

it is greatly appreciated.

[denbot]

138. Kick

My wife's asleep, and I don't want to wake her up rooting around for my wallet.
I can help a tiny bit tomorrow.

[retrowire]

145. thank you so much! nt

[PasadenaTrudy]

143. Just chipped in :) n/t

[retrowire]

144. Thank you so much!!! Merry Christmas! nt

[mnhtnbb]

147. Kicking

[retrowire]

148. thank you, we can't believe how far we've gotten! nt

[dumbcat]

149. How can I donate via PayPal?

I tried to enter the name shown in your OP (paypal.me/retrowire ) but it still wants an email or phone number. What am I doing wrong?

[mnhtnbb]

150. Send retrowire a PM and he will respond with his paypal e-mail address.

[retrowire]

151. that link has worked for others and sometimes it's wonky

if you want to donate to my family by using my PayPal email address, I can PM you that. would that be alright?

thanks again for helping!

[dumbcat]

152. Yes, PM the addy. nt

[retrowire]

153. PM'd, thank you so much. nt

[dumbcat]

154. Got it

Sent. Happy to help.

[tblue37]

155. Kicking this so people can see it. You still need a little over $2000

to meet the goal to cover the necessities for your wife's family. I am hoping DU will come through for them!

[Live and Learn]

156. Another kick to help raise the rest of the rent. nt

[tblue37]

157. Good. Kick again for more visibility. nt

[retrowire]

158. Thank you! nt

[tblue37]

161. Another kick. nt

[virtualobserver]

160. bump

[virtualobserver]

169. kick

[spanone]

162. K&R...

[retrowire]

164. Thank you very much. nt

[spanone]

165. you're welcome

[mnhtnbb]

166. Kicking again to make 2016 a chance for a new start for retrowire's family.

[tblue37]

167. Kick. nt

[virtualobserver]

170. kick

[virtualobserver]

171. bump

[virtualobserver]

172. nudge

[virtualobserver]

173. elbow

[virtualobserver]

174. ow!

[virtualobserver]

175. sorry!

[retrowire]

176. thanks for all the kicks! nt

[unapatriciated]

177. Just made a small gift for a brighter New Year.

Years ago when my son was first diagnosed with Dermatomyositis. I was in a similar situation, lost my job, my home and I was drowning in medical bills. Family and friends helped get me through those difficult times. May your family's New Year be brighter.

btw we are neighbors, Wilmington Nc here

[retrowire]

179. thank you neighbor!

im hoping your years got brighter as well!

[unapatriciated]

180. They have, my son has been in remission for five years and

My grandson who is stationed at fort bragg just gave me a new ggson. He was born six weeks early but is doing great. I will be visiting them after the New Year.

[retrowire]

181. That's terrific! We're happy to hear that. :) nt

[Worried senior]

182. Gave a small

amt, wish it could be more but hope things go well for all of you.

[retrowire]

183. Thank you so much. Everything helps. nt

[question everything]

184. Another kick (nt)

[grasswire]

185. A kick for today.

I'm hoping to make a modest bit of help by the weekend, RetroWire.

Hey! Are we related??

Grasswire.

[retrowire]

186. ha! i noticed that

we're apart of the "wire" family. what inspired your username?

mine is because of my interest in vintage electronics.

[grasswire]

187. I had an idea years ago...

...for a newsletter that would report about grassroots activism on the Internets and report that to congressional offices weekly. Thus grass wire

Then I realized that congress critters really had little interest what rank and file Democrats were talking about or thinking.

[grasswire]

188. P.S.

Know where I can buy a portable stereo (vintage) at a reasonable price?

[retrowire]

189. eBay, Craigslist, yard sales! nt

[TuxedoKat]

190. Kicking

for more exposure. I love the photo of your family, they look so sweet and they sound like lovely people from your description. I hope you make and exceed your goal for them. Will give a little more later this week after I check the status of our funds!

PS Did you post this in the DU Lounge as well? There may be some there who haven't seen this but would like to donate.

[merrily]

191. kick

[merrily]

192. kick

[merrily]

193. Added a bit. Happy New Year.

[question everything]

194. Another kick. We should be able to reach the goal (nt)

[retrowire]

195. Thanks so much for the kick.

I wonder if we will.

I should write a new update.

Because things have gotten better and worse. And I think everyone deserves to know.

[retrowire]

196. Your kick had inspired me when I was just thinking about letting it go.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027513131

There's the new thread. Thanks so much for the diligence.