Hi, this is a bit outside of my comfort zone, but I’m coming to you as a mother who believes deeply in her daughter and in the power of community to lift someone up.

A little about Emma—she turns 18 on February 13th. She has been my Valentine since the day she was born. From the very beginning, she has had a gentle strength about her.

Emma has always stayed committed to her education. School wasn’t always easy for her, but she never gave up. She persevered, worked hard, and kept pushing forward. She is a true artist at heart—creative, thoughtful, and expressive in everything she does.

At just 16, she told me she wanted to start working. Before she was even hired anywhere, she volunteered as a manager for an after-school sports program simply to gain experience and build her resume. After months of applying and not giving up, she earned her first job at our local movie theater. She has now been a loyal employee for over a year, missing only two days due to illness. Her dedication speaks for itself.

Emma is kind, respectful, and grounded in her faith. She has always had a beautiful way of lifting my spirits when I needed it most.

In April of 2025, we lost my mother. Emma was incredibly close to her grandmother—they shared a special bond filled with love and laughter. That loss changed her. The grief has been heavy, and the light she once carried so effortlessly dimmed under the weight of it. Losing a mother is painful, but watching your child grieve someone who felt like a second mother to them carries its own heartbreak.

I know that money cannot heal grief. It cannot replace what was lost. But my hope is that she can see something beyond that—that people care, that kindness still exists, and that even strangers can show love in meaningful ways.

If you feel moved to give, even in the smallest way, it would mean more than you know. My wish is simply to remind her that her future is still bright, that she is supported, and that goodness surrounds her—even when life feels uncertain.
 

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. 🙏🏼