Please Help This Very Special Family!

 

                                        BEFORE SANDY 
          
                              The Yurgelonis Family Home:  
                       708 Brook Avenue Union Beach, NJ 

                                         AFTER SANDY

 

     On Monday October 29th, Hurricane Sandy devastated my hometown of Union Beach, NJ. Everyone in town suffered damage in one way or another. Every home has flood damage & many homes are just gone....

     One of the families who lost everything, are near & dear to me: the Yurgelonis family of 708 Brook Avenue. Up until Monday night, they have spent the last 19 years calling this house their home. Their kids have grown-up there & over these recent years, their grand-kids have had the pleasure to laugh & play there too. Their oldest daughter Lisa is my best friend. Her & I have been friends since we were young kids. Her family moved into this house when we were in high-school. I remember being so excited because they were 'finally moving back to Union Beach!' (they had been living in another town for many years). Once they moved in, I'm pretty sure I was over every day & spent almost every weekend sleeping over!

      Over the years, I watched in awe as Lisa's mom Anna & her dad Charlie took in many foster children (adopting some) & provided them a loving home. Their house always had (& still 'does') children's laughter, dogs barking, parrots squawking, & babies crying....it was awesome.

 The house & all of it's contents are now gone forever...

     I am now determined to help the Yurgelonis family: Anna & Charlie, their 13 year old son Jaden, their 18 year old daughter Marina, their 19 year old son David & their 7 year old grand-daughter Jaelyn; rebuild their lives in every way, shape & form. No amount of money will ever bring back all the memories lost, but it will help lessen the burden as they build new ones...

                                                                Anna standing in the ruins of her back yard. 
             Behind her, the rain boots belonging to her grand-kids that she had planted with flowers this past summer...

                                            The family's beloved pet macaw: 'Diego' was found on the other side of town. 
                                                     This is Anna burying his body in what was once her garden...

       Please consider donating to help this very special family get back their life!
                          No amount is too small! Thank you so much!

Or if you prefer, Checks (made out to Anna Yurgelonis) & gift cards can be sent to me:

Yurgelonis Family Sandy Relief

c/o Lauren Hilburn

337 Upland Way 

Drexel Hill, PA 19026

I will make sure all gifts get directly to the family! Thanks again!!! 

Peace.