On January 20th, one of my daughter's classmates, a little boy named Steven, was badly burned when a gas can exploded in the family's garage. The rest of the family is okay, but Steven was not so lucky. He received severe burns on his stomach, chest, arms, hands and face. He is currently in a burn unit at a hospital in Galveston.

This has been haunting me. I've cried and cried and barely slept. Everything in me is telling me that I have to help somehow. I'm not sure how I'm going to do that, being an unemployed stay-at-home mom, but I'm going to try. I just feel that it's something I have to do.

I called my daughter's school today to find out any information I could on any type of fundraiser or benefit in place to help the family. They're currently working with the district to get something started for them. At this time, they don't have a whole lot of information themselves, but they did give me the principle's email address so I can get in touch with her in a few days after she's had time to talk with the district to see what they're going to do and how I can help.

Right now, I'm asking for prayers... lots of prayers. If you don't pray, send good thoughts... cross your fingers... wish on a star... whatever it is you do.

I will be posting some more information when I have it. I would really like to try and get some donations for the family if I can, be it through my font sales, print sales, candle sales, or simply taking donations. I would love it if you guys could spread the word about this for me when I have more information to give people. By the time Steven is done with treatment, surgeries, etc., the family will be facing an enormous hospital bill. I believe that in a community as big as DA, there is a lot that we can do to help if we just open our hearts.

Please keep Steven and his family in your thoughts.

Update: Here is the story that was in the local newspaper: [link]

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Update: I spoke to both Guthrie Cleaners and First State Bank this morning, as they were mentioned in the newspaper article above as being the people who are taking donations for Steven's family. They told me that they do not have any sort of system set up for taking donations online. They are taking cash or checks made out to "Sophia Cuellar", which is Steven's mother. I have a Paypal account and can accept payments online if anyone would like to donate. My paypal address is "brandi@austin.rr.com". Please note that the payment is for Steven when making a donation. What I will do is transfer all donations I receive from Paypal to my bank account and write a check to take to First State Bank for the family. Or if anyone feels uncomfortable with that and would like to send a check or money order directly to the bank, here is the address to do so:

Sophia Cuellar Family
c/o First State Bank
P.O. Box 490
Hutto, TX 78634

And, just in case anyone is worried that this is some sort of scam, here is the phone number for First State Bank if you want to call and verify that this is legitimate. 512-759-2132

Please spread the word about this if you can. Post it in your journals or make a link to this journal entry. I would really really appreciate it.

Also, I've put all of my dingbat fonts on sale for 50% off. All proceeds from font sales will go directly to Steven's family. You can see my fonts here: [link] They're great for making web design layouts, image borders & frames, dividers, buttons, etc. Commercial use is allowed.


XOXO,
Brandi