This month we’re coming together for the Aubin family (Sheila and her three children), who are going through a tough time right now with the loss of Keith, their husband and father.
He passed away in April after a long battle with multiple health problems, but he left behind a powerful legacy – donating many parts of his body so that others might live a better life.
Sheila and the kids are under financial pressure right now, and we want to raise at least $3,600 to pay their rent for the next three months, allowing them to focus on everything they need to take care of without fear of losing their home.
Goal: $3,600
$3,419.82
Where Your Money Goes
The Aubins are dealing with financial hardship in a few areas right now, but the immediate area of concern is paying the rent. We want to make sure that no matter what else happens, at least they won’t have to worry about losing their home while they’re dealing with all the strains of these next few months. If we can get beyond the initial $3,600 we’re trying to raise, we will be able to help them out a bit with health insurance (they currently have none), some needed dental work they can’t afford, possibly senior pictures for their daughter Danielle, and maybe even giving them a bit of a break to relax and take their minds off things for a few days. If you’ve ever had a death in the family, you know how difficult this time can be. Let’s make it a little easier for them.
Why We’re Helping This Family
We chose to work with the Aubin family this month because Keith chose to pay it forward and help others, even in death. He wanted to make sure that any part of his body that could be used to help others would be used. This man was paralyzed from the waist down, but even bones and muscle from his legs can be used to help another person walk again. His oldest son will eventually need a heart valve replaced as well, and is an organ donor himself.
This month we’re excited to highlight the value of becoming an organ donor, because it perfectly demonstrates the Love Drop concept of micro-giving: performing small actions for huge impact. We’d love it if you would email us and pledge to become one if you haven’t done so already!
In this episode, we get to see the strong family bonds that hold the Aubin family together, especially through Sheila’s tireless work ethic. Everyone not only pulls their weight, but helps each other out along the way. They’ve stuck together through thick and thin, so this month we’re happy to help lighten their load just a little bit, and let them focus on the transition as they move into the next phase of their lives.
In the next video we’ll learn more about the family’s journey and sacrifice…
In the first half of this episode, we learn more about Keith’s struggles and how it affected his life. We also get to hear from long-time family friend, Ronnie, whom Keith treated as one of his own children.
We focus our attention in the second half on how Keith gave back in the end, and how he went through the Gift of Life program there in Michigan to change multiple people’s lives :) Because of these amazing donations he set up, others will lead incredibly improved lifestyles down the road, and it really shows the true heart of this entire family.
We are blessed to be able to help them out this month!
Another GREAT Love Drop everyone!!! We headed out to the Detroit area this month to share your gifts and love with the Aubins, and we were very happy with the way it turned out :)
This Drop was unique in that we were celebrating the continuing gift of life someone gave even after his passing. We had feared that it could get pretty sad, but it ended up being a joyful occasion full of fond memories and happy faces. And at the end we gave them enough money to cover almost three months worth of rent! As well as another special gift you’ll have to watch and learn about – it was our favorite, and theirs too ;)
Thank you all for making this month special! Click here to learn about July’s Drop recipient: Felicity
Total breakdown of all gifts given: [To check out the pictures, click here.]
Three months rent! ($3,500) – Our goal was to help pay as much rent as we could for them, and as always our team pulled through! We raised almost exactly three months worth of rent, on top of a whole BUNCH of other gifts we’re about to list off ;) Good work guys!!
A bench in honor of their dad, Keith Aubin We wanted to celebrate Keith’s life in a way that was both respectful and long-lasting, and one of our team members came up the idea of dedicating a bench in his honor to be placed in a local park. We ran with it, and the Aubins absolutely LOVED it :)
A Detroit Red Wings Package! – The Detroit Red Wings generously donated 4 tickets to an upcoming pre-season game, as well as some stickers and towels from the team. Awesome!!
Family tickets to watch a baseball game – From our long standing partner, Goldstar.com, who is all about getting families outside and enjoying quality time together.
Tickets to the Henry Ford Museum Thanks Henry Ford!
Some art supplies – For Danielle, as we heard she likes to draw (Thanks Diane)
6 months of meal plans courtesy of MealPlanRescue.com (Thanks for always participating!)
6 months of coaching services from JRRSEHopeCoaching.com – Solutions for midlife parents, troubled teens, single moms & career challenges.
Computer lessons from Brandon (thx man!)
And a photo book to capture the entire Drop’s celebrations. You rock GroupStory
We did it again guys! Way to go :) Special thanks to team members Sarah Baldry and Mike St. Pierre for all their help in making this Drop successful, and to Jami Carlson Photography for capturing the day’s events – the pictures are brilliant :)
We’d like to thank all 1,000+ members of the Love Drop community! It is each and every one of YOU that powers the project and enables us to touch lives and inspire others each month. THANK YOU for everything you do – together we are making a real difference.
Where Your Money Goes
