Help for a Dear Friend in Need

Below I will tell the story of how Patty became so near and dear to my family, and why all I want for Christmas is for you to give $10 (or any amount!) to help her in a time of financial need. My plan is to load any funds raised here onto a gift card--probably for Walmart or another similar establishment--to help Patty with basic household needs. This will be an anonymous gift, as Patty's integrity and personal code leave her unwilling to ask for and reluctant to accept help. My husband and I plan to personally top off the fundraiser with an as-yet-undetermined amount, and will post regular updates on the campaign.

Patty is a very dear friend of my mom's. They first met in 2002 when my mom, freshly separated from my dad, moved into her first-ever home on her own. Patty and her husband Skip lived in the home across the street from my mom's new place. Patty and Skip were absolutely essential to to my mom's well-being those first few years in that neighborhood. They became fast friends.

Patty was born and raised in my hometown of Pittsburgh, and she and Skip were married for 43 years. Together they raised 2 adopted children. Their adult son has Downs Syndrome and lives in a care facility in Pittsburgh. Patty enjoys arts and crafts, and she and Skip would load her projects into a small trailer and frequent local craft fairs together. Sadly, Skip passed away suddenly about 10 years ago.

She has worked in retail throughout her life, but a bad knee keeps her from doing work that requires her to be on her feet for extended periods of time. Currently unemployed, she is looking for work that doesn't require a lot of standing/walking, and requires daylight shifts due to vision problems that keep her from driving at night. She is actively looking for work and if anyone reading this now has a job lead, please contact me.

Patty has eliminated all possible non-essential expenses and has zero indulgences these days. She's suffering from a great amount of stress due to debts she's racked up from simply existing. My mom and a few close friends have been doing their best to keep her afloat. We're all concerned for her and want to help as much as we possibly can. Patty is 74, lives alone, and deserves care and relief from financial strain.

This is my family's dear friend, Patty (on the right). My mom is on the left.

I would be humbled and most grateful for donations of ANY amount--no amount is too small! Again, this will be an anonymous gift and I will continue to post throughout the campaign up to and including delivery of the gift. So many of you will be asked to donate to this or that charity this year, but your dollars given here will directly impact this woman's life in a positive and tangible way. This wonderful human--a human who kept my own mother in one piece and well looked-after during a difficult time in her life--deserves the help and support of the greater community. Many warm thanks in advance XOXOXOXO