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Tag: gofundme

  • GoFundMe for Teen Who Returned to Burger King Shift Just Hours After Graduation Surges to $130K

    GoFundMe for Teen Who Returned to Burger King Shift Just Hours After Graduation Surges to $130K

    A woman came across a Georgia teenager, Mykale Baker, working at Burger King just hours after his high school graduation, still wearing his graduation stole and medal. Inspired by their encounter, the woman started a fundraiser that has now surpassed its initial goal by more than double, with donations continuing to rise, as reported by the NY Post.

    This remarkable story began when fundraising organizer Maria Mendoza met the 18-year-old during his evening shift at Burger King.

    “He was so kind, so polite,”

    Mendoza told the outlet.

    “Radiating joy, even after such a big day. His dedication and quiet strength really moved me. I felt called to do something to recognize that.”

    Mendoza took action by launching a fundraiser for Baker called

    “From Burger King to a College Dream,”

    sharing his story on TikTok

    “without thinking,”

    she said. Remarkably, the online campaign reached its goal within just 10 days of its launch. In the initial days, thousands of dollars poured in, but as the touching story spread across social media and news outlets, donations skyrocketed to six figures, far exceeding the $60,000 target. Many of the contributors were strangers, united by their support.

    A few days later, Mendoza returned to the restaurant to share the astonishing news of the donations, which had surged to nearly $130,000 by Saturday afternoon. Mykale Baker was brought to tears by the generosity and filled with excitement as he contemplated his dream of pursuing higher education.

    “I feel happy,”

    Baker, 18, said in an interview with 11 Alive this week.

    “I just want to say thank you to my parents and all the people that see the good in me and believe in me, and donated all that money to me.”

    Baker proudly walked across the stage on May 21 during his graduation ceremony at Mills Creek High School. However, he expressed his concerns about what lay ahead after graduation due to financial limitations, although he was hopeful about attending a trade school.

    “I’m just grateful I got to do something for him,”

    Mendoza said.

    #Clique, what are your thoughts?

     

  • Flavor Flav Launches Fundraiser To Assist Black Families Affected by L.A. Wildfires, ‘Not Enough Is Being Done’

    Flavor Flav Launches Fundraiser To Assist Black Families Affected by L.A. Wildfires, ‘Not Enough Is Being Done’

    Flavor Flav is working to help Black families in Los Angeles who were impacted by the devastating wildfires.

    On Monday, January 20, the 65-year-old rapper announced that he is teaming up with GoFundMe and the Black Music Action Coalition to provide immediate assistance to Black families affected by the Eaton Fire in the Altadena and Pasadena areas of L.A.

    “So many of y’all have helped in the aftermath of the L.A. fires…so many of y’all have received help. But there’s SO MANY more that REALLY need your help,”

    he captioned the Instagram video.

    “It’s been inspiring to see so many people come together as one to lift each other up, and I just want to highlight one aspect of the larger LA community in dire need.”

    “Not enough is being done for the Black families and community in the aftermath of the California fires,”

    the Public Enemy member added.

    “I urge not only Black artists and musicians and creators, but EVERYONE to come together and continue to help those in still in desperate need.”

    The GoFundMe campaign has raised almost $40,000 so far and aims to strengthen

    “the collective efforts to generate funds in support of Black families as they navigate displacement, loss of income, grief [and] essential needs in the short-term as they seek to rebuild.”

    The fundraiser is getting its recipients from a combined list called the Displaced Black Families GoFundMe Directory, which was put together by Community Aid Dena, AFROPUNK, and WalkGood LA.

    #Clique, what are your thoughts?

  • Police Searching For Suspect Who Allegedly Threw Hot Coffee On Nine-Month-Old Baby

    Police Searching For Suspect Who Allegedly Threw Hot Coffee On Nine-Month-Old Baby

    The parents of a baby boy who was burned when a stranger threw hot coffee on him are asking for help to catch the attacker, reports The Guardian. Nine-month-old Luka had surgery at Queensland Children’s Hospital after suffering serious burns on 60% of his body, including his face, neck, chest, and arms, from the incident on Tuesday.

    “My baby boy didn’t deserve this, no one does. I wish he poured the hot coffee all over me and not my boy,”

    the baby’s mother posted to social media.

    “Please if anyone has any CCTV footage around Lincoln Street / Regina Street in Stones Corner please speak to police. This man needs to be found and charged.”

    New pictures from Luka’s mom show him in bandages and special clothing, as he heals in the hospital. Police described the man who attacked Luka as being between 30 and 40 years old, with an average build and tanned skin. He was seen on CCTV wearing a black hat, glasses, a blue checkered shirt, and shorts. 

    “This man was standing above him, behind him, and poured a Thermos of hot coffee over him. He just started screaming,”

    A friend of the mother, Zara Mazza told the outlet. Bystanders quickly came to help the baby by pouring water from their bottles on him. Then, a trainee nurse offered her apartment for a cold shower so they could keep water running on him continuously.

    “Bub is in a stable condition … they say that he’ll need regular dressing changes under anesthetic over the next weeks. They don’t know how long, but, yeah. It’s gonna take a while.”

    A GoFundMe page has been set up to help pay for Luka’s medical expenses.

    #Clique, what are your thoughts?

  • Strong Gust Of Wind Causes Bounce House To Go Airborne, Resulting In The Death Of 2-Year-Old Arizona Boy

    Strong Gust Of Wind Causes Bounce House To Go Airborne, Resulting In The Death Of 2-Year-Old Arizona Boy

    A heartbreaking incident took place in Arizona over the weekend, where a 2-year-old boy lost his life in a truly tragic accident, NBC News reported. It happened around 5 p.m. near Casa Grande, a city located approximately 50 miles south of Phoenix. The authorities from the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office shared this devastating news in a statement. 

    “Several children were playing in a bounce house when a strong gust of wind sent it airborne into the neighboring lot,”

    the sheriff’s office said.

    “A two-year-old child was transported to the hospital where he passed away.”

    A second child was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

    “This appears to have been a tragic accident,” the sheriff’s office said. 

    The child’s parents have been identified as Karl and Cristy, as mentioned on a verified GoFundMe page. The precious child who lost their life was named Bodhi, as stated on the webpage. The page also shares the news that the couple is anticipating the arrival of their second child, expected to join their family in late May.

    “This devastating loss has left Karl and Cristy grappling with unimaginable grief,”

    the fundraiser said.

    “Amidst their sorrow, they face the daunting task of preparing for the arrival of their newborn.” 

    In a statement, a spokesperson from the Phoenix Fire Department confirmed that the couple has a connection with the department and is receiving support from them.

    #Clique, what are your thoughts?

  • Six Children Under The Age Of 10 Left Orphaned as Man Attempting To Flee Police Collides Head-On with Parents Car On Their Date Night

    Six Children Under The Age Of 10 Left Orphaned as Man Attempting To Flee Police Collides Head-On with Parents Car On Their Date Night

    A tragic incident on a Michigan highway has left six young children orphaned after their parents were killed in a horrifying collision, as reported by the Daily Mail. 

    Ryan and Jen Ambrosio, both in their forties, lost their lives when a suspect evading police in a stolen truck crashed into their car. The suspect, Angel Melendez-Ortiz, was driving on the wrong side of the road without headlights when he collided with the Ambrosios’ SUV. 

    The devastating crash occurred around 1:30 am on January 6. The couple’s children, aged between two and nine, are now under the care of their extended family. Melendez-Ortiz has been charged with multiple offenses, including second-degree murder, and could face a life sentence if convicted.

    Jen Ambrosio’s cousin, Brandi Burke, initiated a GoFundMe campaign for the children, raising over $614,000 as of Tuesday.

    “In the early morning hours of January 6, 2024, Ryan and Jen Ambrosio were on their way home from a date night when their lives were cut short in a fatal car wreck. The greatest impact of this tragedy is (and will continue to be) on their six young children: Amelia, Maria Grace, Faustina, Benedict, Raphael, and Julian,”

    Burke wrote. 

    “Ranging in age from 2-9 years old, they now have to navigate life’s ups and downs without their parents by their side,”

    she added. Burke assured that the children would be kept together under the care of a relative.

    “The Ambrosio children, while now without their parents, have always had the presence and support of a large extended family that will ensure they are raised together in a safe and loving home.” 

    #Clique, what are your thoughts?

  • Man Arrested After Setting Fire Around His Home To Avoid Cleaning His Puppy’s Poop

    Man Arrested After Setting Fire Around His Home To Avoid Cleaning His Puppy’s Poop

    A West Virginia man is facing arson charges after allegedly setting his house on fire after becoming frustrated with his new puppy’s constant mess, reports Law and Crime. 

    Randy Nethken, 32, reportedly became upset with the puppy’s defecation throughout the house and decided to burn down his home instead of cleaning it up. The incident occurred on October 7 in Mabie, West Virginia, a small community in Randolph County. 

    The West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office was notified of the fire through an email sent by Nethkens, who stated that the fire

    “originated in the attic.”

    However, after investigating Fire Marshals discovered that the fire was started by

    “what appeared to be burned drawers,”

    towards the back of the house.

    “[C]onfronted with the remaining evidence,”

    Nethken admitted he

    “intentionally entered the attic willfully and intentionally utilized a match to set three fires,”

    the complaint noted.

    “[H]e set the fires in the bathroom because he was upset with the puppy for defecating all over the house,”

    the document continues.

    After admitting to the consequences of his actions, Nethken decided to launch a GoFundMe page to help pay for the damage. He claimed that his family didn’t have much money. However, the fundraiser is currently not available. Nethken now sits in the Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $20,000 cash-only bond.

    #Clique, what are your thoughts?

  • Pink Sauce Creator Claims She’s Penniless After Being ‘Financially Sabotaged’ by Dave’s Gourmet, Company Insists $120,00 Paid

    Pink Sauce Creator Claims She’s Penniless After Being ‘Financially Sabotaged’ by Dave’s Gourmet, Company Insists $120,00 Paid

    Controversy surrounds Walmart‘s Pink Sauce, a popular condiment born from TikTok, reports Insider. Created by Chef Pii, also known as Veronica Shaw, the sauce faced safety concerns and complaints about incorrect labels and damaged bottles upon its 2022 launch. 

    In January, Shaw partnered with Dave’s Gourmet to release a shelf-stable version of the sauce, adhering to FDA guidelines and selling for $8 at Walmart. While sales figures remain undisclosed, TikTokers noticed the sauce quickly going on clearance, although it is now being sold at its original retail price on Walmart’s website. 

    In a recent TikTok video, Shaw claimed to have sold around 200,000 units. However, she took a different tone online last week, launching a GoFundMe campaign to raise $100,000 for herself. Although she didn’t directly name Dave’s Gourmet, she expressed her belief that a company is attempting to undermine her success.

    “They lied to me,”

    she wrote in the GoFundMe description, which has raised just $921 to date.

    “They are not paying me and are not being transparent about records. I have tried on multiple occasions to try and come to one accord with them but they refuse to reimburse me for marketing expenses that I spent my own funds towards….They are refusing to pay me the royalty that is owed to me.”

    Shaw claimed in her GoFundMe that she is a single mother struggling to provide food and clothes for her children, living on $20 a day and facing eviction. Dave’s Gourmet, when contacted, expressed disagreement with Shaw’s account of the situation.

    “We disagree with Ms. Shaw’s allegations,”

    a company spokesperson said.

    “Dave’s Gourmet has paid Chef Pii over $120,000 to date and it continues to make all payments as due and on time based upon the terms of the contract.”

    Dave added in a statement,

    “We’ve offered to reimburse Ms. Shaw for her lawyer’s time to go over the terms of the agreement and how it relates to the payments that were made to Ms. Shaw… She indicated that she’s open to an amicable resolution of the dispute and the parties are in discussions.”

    #Clique, what are your thoughts?

  • Woman Charged With Murder After Shooting Uber Driver Because She Thought He Was Trying To Abduct Her

    Woman Charged With Murder After Shooting Uber Driver Because She Thought He Was Trying To Abduct Her

    A woman has been charged with murder after shooting her Uber driver last week because she thought he was attempting to kidnap her, PEOPLE reports. 

    Texas investigators revealed that 52-year-old Phoebe Copas wasn’t in danger adding that the 53-year-old driver, Daniel Piedra Garcia, wasn’t

    “veering from Copas’ destination.”

    According to El Paso officials, Copas is being held behind bars on a $1.5 million bond. A relative of the driver revealed that he was sadly taken off life support. 

    In a GoFundMe post, Garcias’ wife revealed that he was

    “the sole provider for our family”

    adding that he

    “was very happy to finally be able to work and bring home income.”

    The wife continued to write that he was happy to bring in income as a Uber driver after he hurt his knee at another job, which caused him to get surgery back in April. 

    Copas’ of Kentucky was visiting her boyfriend in Texas when she contacted Uber to take her to see her unnamed beau at a casino after he got off of work, reports KFOX14. Officials say Copas reportedly grew anxious when she allegedly noticed road signs for

    “Juarez, Mexico.”

    Officials added,

    “At some point during the drive, Copas thought she was being taken into Mexico and shot Piedra.” 

    Officials informed KIVA that the woman pulled out a firearm and shot the Uber driver in the back of his head and wrist, which resulted in the car crashing. Before Copas contacted officials, she took a picture of the encounter and forwarded the image to her boyfriend. 

    “The investigation does not support that a kidnapping took place or that Piedra was veering from Copas’ destination,”

    authorities said. 

    It’s unclear if the woman entered a plea deal or if she has an attorney to speak on her behalf. 

    #Clique, what are your thoughts? 

  • TikToker Arrested After Scamming GoFundMe Donors Out Of Thousands After Documenting Fake Cancer ‘Battle’

    TikToker Arrested After Scamming GoFundMe Donors Out Of Thousands After Documenting Fake Cancer ‘Battle’

    An Iowa woman is accused of faking her cancer diagnosis and swindling over $37,000 from concerned donors, NY Post reported. 

    Madison ‘Maddie’ Russo was arrested on Jan. 23 after authorities got wind of the 19-year-old’s TikTok campaign where she documented her journey with

    “Stage 2 pancreatic cancer, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia.”

    Russo talked about what it was like being a college student suffering from a tumor

    “the size of a football that wrapped around her spine.”

    However, Maddie’s story began to crumble when anonymous witnesses claiming to be medical professionals said they recognized faulty medical equipment and

    “discrepancies”

    after watching her videos. They notified the police who later issued a search warrant at Russo’s Bettendorf apartment. Police discovered a brown paper bag with medical supplies, an IV pole with a feeding pump filled with cotton swabs, a wig, and pills for nausea in a relative’s name in it, according to the court documents.

    The teen reportedly opened a GoFundMe account where she raised $37,303 from more than 439 anonymous donors, officials said. In her GoFundMe description, it reads,

    “Maddie is currently undergoing vigorous chemotherapy and radiation treatments that make her very sick… As one can imagine, this diagnosis has been very hard on Maddie’s family… If you are able to, donations would be greatly appreciated to help cover medical expenses and to allow Maddie to focus on one thing only, which is to show that she is stronger than cancer and will beat this.”

    The profile has since been removed and donors were reimbursed. 

    Russo was charged with first-degree theft and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted. 

    #Clique, what are your thoughts?