Dear Friends, Family, Colleagues, and compassionate people I have yet to meet.
If you know me, then chances are you know Adrianna Flores. Adrianna is my best friend. And she’s recently suffered a loss. Her brother, Carlos Gonzalez, has passed away.
Carlos lived a very hard life. It started rough, and he was homeless early. He struggled with homelessness throughout his life. And it was homelessness that claimed his life in the end. Carlos had children who he thought of constantly. He wanted so desperately to escape the cycle he was in, so that he could provide more support and love to his children. As difficult as things were, it seemed that, with the help of his sisters and mother, he was on the right track to getting things in order and doing exactly that. Sadly, the difficulties of being homeless caught up with him and now he’s been taken from us. And unfortunately in this country, it is incredibly expensive to die.
As a homeless person, Carlos had nobody to speak for him save a few people. The pastor who was helping him. His mother and sisters. So few to help him, because few actually knew him. But maybe you know Adrianna. Maybe *she* has touched your life in some way. Or maybe you know me. Maybe *I* have touched your life in some way. Or maybe you knew his mother, Guadalupe, or his other sisters, Isela and Araceli. Maybe one of them touched your life in some way. Or maybe you are happening upon this without knowing any of us. Some kind soul decided to share my message in hopes of spreading its reach. Maybe you don’t know any of us, but you share the desire to be compassionate. If any of us have had an impact on your life, or if you are just a kind soul who is trying to be the best person they can be, then by all means, help. I am using my voice to speak for Carlos. If you can, my friends, my family, my fellow compassionate souls, add your voice to mine. Help this family. Help them give Carlos a proper burial. Help them because even though you might not know them, you know me. And I am telling you they are worth helping. Carlos deserved far better than what we, as a society, gave him. So now let’s do what we can to at least honor his life. Please, give as you are able to help Carlos and his family. All proceeds will go towards funeral and burial expenses. Should any funds be raised beyond that, they will be offered in trust to his mother to cover her costs of living.