How you can help

Dear Friends,

So many are asking how they can help Kori, especially monetarily, during this week of loss. Thank you, friends, for your big hearts!

Funeral expenses are going to be a bit over $10,000, and this does not include the cost of a headstone. Kori is receiving about $1500 of support from the hospital and MassHealth; in addition, Eddie and Marshall's school has begun a fund to help with funeral and headstone costs.

I'd love to see the Fund flooded with money this week so that we can accomplish two goals: first, to cover any additional funeral and burial costs Kori doesn't receive from other sources, and also, to support Kori for the next 6 months or so as she takes the time she needs to grieve and figure out next steps.

The truth is, Kori is going to need MORE, not less, support from the Fund this month and in the months that follow. Thanks to Congress (I promise not to get too political here), some of the supports she was receiving are cut in half. She's not asking for money, but in talking with her this week, I've made it my goal to try to pay the following bills for her, if we can, for the next 6 months: her car payment, her rent, and supplemental money for groceries. In total, we need about $700 a month to pay these expenses, or $4200 total, plus any funeral/headstone costs that she doesn't receive from elsewhere (I think we should plan to try to raise another $5 - 10,000), for a total of $9200 to $14200 in the Fund.

The Fund currently has $2100 in it (thank you, dear friends!). Many of you gave yesterday, and you can be sure every cent is going to be used to help Kori through these funeral expenses, and the needs she has for the next handful of months.

We'll also continue with our Tiny Tags fundraiser; after next week, I'll begin re-posting about that.

But for those of you who want to give directly, who have friends who want to give, who have tax returns you don't really need...I invite you to work with us, these last 6 months, to do all we can to see Kori through the grief of the loss of Eddie. To get her on her feet. To love her. Whatever funds we have remaining after six months we will give to Kori, and close the account and this chapter of financial support (she'll be the first to tell you she can't wait to work again) for her and for all of us.

Being Kori's friend has been one of the greatest gifts of my life; however, widening her circles of love to include my friends (and so many now I haven't even met) has been a privilege, and a grace. It has been a "ripple effect" in my life so beautiful I can't possibly thank you each enough.

Thank you for all you're doing to love on Kori and her son, Marshall, in their grieving this week. When I have them, I will post funeral details (most likely, Wednesday morning)and hope to meet and hug many of you there.

Much love, and many thanks,
Melissa for Eddie's Fund