I'm sure you've heard the phrase "It takes a village" before. I've always taken that phrase to mean that there are times when we need to ask for the help of our friends and others. So, here I am to ask.

Right now, I'm having a very difficult time making ends meet financially. I've been on long-term disability since May 2024 from atmos. While I'm incredibly grateful that Atmos did offer a long-term disability plan, the plan payout is only 60% of the salary I was making at the time my disability began. I can't lie, it's been very difficult making ends meet. Whether it's paying my utilities or rent on time, getting food for Bernie or the cats, or trying to fill up with gas in my car, I'm having a difficult time making money stretch from one avenue to the next.

Besides taking care of myself I also manage the colony of community cats that live in and around my apartment, I also have three cats of my own - Cookie, Muffin, and Pablo, and my doggie, Bernie. That's a lot of other living things relying on me for their food and care. I've visited a couple of the food pantries run by local charities here in Garland. They've been very helpful but have strict rules on how often you can visit (understandably). I'm not eligible for food stamps or any of the other government services offered because I make just a smidge more than what the SNAP plan sets as a limit.

Given the situation that Eden is in, having the company who had promised her a job back out at the last minute, I would also like to use this fundraiser to help her. At the moment, she isn't sure how she'll be able to pay July's rent - yes it is June 29th - so part of whatever I'm able to fundraise here will go to her, also. It's a really horrible feeling to have your daughter in such a bind financially and to be able to do absolutely nothing about it. This fundraiser and the generosity of others, the village, is going to allow me to help her out as well. Feel free to giggle as you think to yourself that both of the Jones girls are struggling at the same time. Thankfully, though, we're both pretty tough and we seldom stay down too long and we have a tendency to land on our feet.

All of those things have brought me here, to ask the Village for help. Whether the way you want to help is by donating money to this fundraiser, purchasing something on my Walmart wish list, grabbing something off the Amazon wish list, or just sending me a private message saying, "hey girl, I get it and I'm here if you need to talk", I appreciate you taking the time to read this much.

I know that I can't be the only one stuck in a rut like this. To anyone else out there being made feel inadequate by whatever life is throwing you at the moment, you're not. You're not inadequate and neither am I. Life gets sticky and we have to all learn how to get through the tough spots.

I've chosen to share my fundraiser on this platform because the owners of this platform actually care. If my fundraiser is shared 100 times on Facebook and raises $1,000, the owners of FreeFunder will donate $20 to my campaign. Likewise, if my fundraiser is shared 500 times on Facebook and raises $5,000, the owners of FreeFunder will donate $50 to my campaign. Given that last little tidbit, I'm setting my goal at $5,000.

It would be great to pay my rent on time this month. I'm sure Eden thinks it would be great to pay rent on time this month, also. It would be great to be able to feed the zoo - the animals both inside and out. Links

below for those who prefer to help going that route

Links:

https://tinyurl.com/GroceriesListWalmart

https://tinyurl.com/ZooNecessities-Walmart

https://tinyurl.com/ZooNecessitiesAmazon

Venmo @Dar_lalalala

CashApp $alalalalrad

Paypal [email protected]

Thank you all for your help, your kindness, you friendship, your love, and sharing this campaign ☺️