Children left behind after mom crashes into Bay

[organicmama]

Organicmama told me that the firefighters are taking food to the family for Christmas eve & day - THANK YOU!!!!!

Yes, thank you very much!

And thanks to everyone that have (and will) stepped up to the plate to help this family.

In speaking with Beach House 25 today, I was reminded that the thought of the trauma that the 10 year old (Tristan) must be going through and will be going through from being in the accident to trying to save his mom is terrifying just to ponder. I pray that he receives the help he needs to handle this in some way.

My mother lost her mom when she was 5. She and her twin brother were the youngest of 6 kids. I have seen what damage can happen and how each child deals with the loss in a very different manner and how they carry the effects throughout their lives. My husband lost his dad when he was 3. Again, the effects of losing a parent are tangible. I look at our munchkins and realize how each day that we breathe is a blessing and a miracle in itself. I am thankful and humbled.

Again, thank you to all of you. Much love and happy holidays!

 

[ThirtyAGal]

SoWal rides again! To you who are locals, thanks so much for sharing the information with those of us who are not there. I will send something to the fund at the bank. Thank you for being such wonderful neighbors.

 

[Bobby J]

I have an update about Shanna Day's children. I posted this on the original thread about the accident, but wanted to let people know that they can help also.

There are 4 kids left behind. Three of them go to Butler and 1 goes to ECMS. They are living with their Grandmother (Sonya) here in SRB. A number of people at Butler are providing meals to the family and there has been a fund set up for the children. The kids are with other family right now in AL and returning to their grandmother's tomorrow.

Please help in any way you can. PM me if you wish to deliver meals and I will get you in touch with someone who is coordinating it. I have a flyer that I can fax to anyone regarding the information on the fund that I received from the grandmother tonight. They are asking to get it on the radio and on local TV. If anyone can help with that, let me know.

I was blessed enough to be able to deliver a meal tonight and spoke with Sonya. She is a lovely woman who lost her only daughter (she has 2 sons) and now has the task of raising her grandchildren. My heart goes out to all of them. For many of us, tragedies are just a flash of news across a screen, but for these kids and their grandmother, the effects will last a lifetime.

Here is part of an email about the fund:

I spoke with Sonya yesterday evening. and she did get an account set up at People's First Community Bank. The name is: "Shanna Day Childrens Benefit Fund". There will be something in the NWF Daily News this weekend. You can go to any People's First and donate.

If you are still interested in helping with food, I know she would appreciate it. Sonya is on disability now, and is still trying to wrap her mind around all of this. She is very appreciative of any help.

Would love to bring over groceries but do not want them overwhelmed with food. Would a donation be better at this point. Do the kids have christmas gifts?

 

[Babyblue]

Will go to the bank on Monday. What happened to the father? Bobby makes a good point do the children have X-mass gifts? Tomorrow is Christmas Eve.

 

[momof2kids]

The kids do have gifts, and are all set in that area. As far as giving: do whatever your heart is asking. The father has a no contact order against him and is not allowed by the courts to see the kids. (he has to comply with what the court is ordering at this point before contacting them).

This mother was a young mother who was in the process of trying to get her life straight for her kids. Just when she was starting to get the kids in a good environment, this tragedy happened. The gift of all this is the kids will be with family, and see that there are good people out there willing to help strangers in a time of need.

Thank you to all of you! This family will need help long term, and however you see fit to help will be a blessing to them.

 

[organicmama]

I second everything that momof2kids said. She's the force behind all of this, as I only know about it because of her emails. She's one of the SoWal greats.

One thing they are going to need in the very near future are school supplies and bookbags. All of their gear was in Shanna's car when it crashed. I know Sonja is worried about that. Momof2kids, any update on that one?

SWFD is headed over there this afternoon, after the kids get back in.

Merry Christmas to all! I'm glad to say that I'm a part of such wonderful people.

 

[momof2kids]

I am in touch with Mrs. Smith (Butler's Principal), and she is checking to see if the school has any backpacks that were not used from the beginning of the school year. She thinks there were a few, but will check sometime over break when she goes into the school again. I will let you all know when I find out.

SO - I know how big hearted everyone is, but we don't want them to get 30 backpacks. Until we hear from Mrs. Smith hold off on the school supplies. Thanks!

This part may be something the PTO could help with also... I will contact them as well.

Again - thanks everyone!

 

[organicmama]

This mother was a young mother who was in the process of trying to get her life straight for her kids. Just when she was starting to get the kids in a good environment, this tragedy happened. The gift of all this is the kids will be with family, and see that there are good people out there willing to help strangers in a time of need.

Thank you to all of you! This family will need help long term, and however you see fit to help will be a blessing to them.

I second all of this.

As Sonja said to me yesterday, Shanna didn't have much in this life, she just wanted her kids to have a better life and gave them everything she could. I hope we can all be the answer (in our own ways) to a mother's prayers for her children.

Long-term is so key here, as immediately, they are overwhelmed by help, but seeing things through so that the kids are doing well down the road is incredibly important. Not my statement, that's Beach House 25.

 

[momof2kids]

Merry Christmas everyone! I spoke with Sonja today. She is holding up. Please continue to pray for this family. They have a lot of needs right now, and Sonja is struggling to stay strong.

They are living in a house too small for the 5 of them, and have a car the is not dependable to transport 4 kids.

Thank you to everyone who has helped them in some way already!!

Keep them in your thoughts & prayers as you celebrate Christmas with your family and friends. Thank you!

 

[momof2kids]

Forgot to add that there will be something on WJHG tonight at 5 & at 10.

Thanks!