— Editorial —

Helping out a friend in need…

June 14, 2010

If you’ve been watching the news at all, you’ve probably seen the crazy flooding in Oklahoma City & Edmond, OK… Well, a very dear friend of mine lives there… and if she knew I was doing this, she’d probably kick me… but… She lost everything in this storm.

You may know her as Consumer Queen.. I also know her as Melissa Garcia… a fellow Walmart Mom … and a truly hard-working, selfless, giving mom, wife and daughter. She has a pretty nifty blog, and uses her coupon and money saving powers to stock up on some awesome products that she donates to people in need. Well this time, she’s the one in need. She is a working mom, her husband works from home due to his disability. She recently sold her home in order to buy a new home with more room so she could take in her mom who has been very ill… They moved in about two months ago, and were finally settling in…

Well, today, while she was at work, her children called her screaming and crying. Water had come in and flooded her house….. Her boss took her home in her vehicle since it would get through the flooded streets. Melissa came home to Firefighters rescuing her pets and family.

I just got off the phone with her, and her family is safe at another family member’s house, but she’s lost everything in her home. Over 2 feet of water came in (red mud and all) and covered all of her new furniture, and electronics. Her appliances are yet to be determined. They are waiting for the water to recede so they can go back and pick through what’s left. They didn’t have flood insurance… They don’t live on a flood plain. Their only hope now, for relief is if they get government aid from disaster relief.

If you can, please help. She gives so much and asks for so little… Please use the chipin widget in my sidebar to donate directly to her…

Thanks so much!

If you blog about this, feel free to link to this post. Please retweet this.

  • Update (6:30pm): I spoke with Melissa earlier, and it is pretty bad. Everything under 3 feet was under water.. and it’s not just water, it’s red muddy water. Her entire house is going to have to be gutted, floors replaced, sheetrock replaced, everything. The beds are going to need to be replaced as well as just about all of the furniture and clothing. Her kids lost their Wii and XBox360, hubby lost his new lawnmower and weed eater. Their electronics are gone, including their family room TV, and BluRay Player. The donations you’ve made today (and any further donations) are going directly to her, and you don’t even know how much they are going to help. Thank you so much for your continued generosity!

41 thoughts on “Helping out a friend in need…”

  1. Monica, thanks for letting us know. If you talk with her again please tell her that her, Daniel, the kids and all that we are sending good thoughts and prayers her way.

  3. I totally understand how devastating all of this has to be. Thank God her family & pets are safe, that’s the most important. You’re awesome for letting all of us know & have the opportunity to help her. *love to both of you* ~ Sprite
    .-= Sprite´s last blog ..Berry Fondue – FTW! =-.

  4. How awful! I just contributed a little, sorry it couldn’t be more right now. I also sent out a tweet linking them here to read the story. I’m glad her family and pets are all safe. How heartbreaking for all of them to go thru this after just having gotten settled! Thanks for telling us about what happened and setting up the Chip In to help Melissa and her family.
    .-= Robyn’s Online World´s last blog ..Monday Mingle Vlog – June 14 Edition =-.

  12. I just donated. Hope to hear soon on what else Melissa needs. I’m right here in the same town and will try to help take care of her.

  15. Thank you so much for setting this up – you are a true friend! I just contributed and have retweeted and forwarded on to friends and family.

  22. I can’t afford to donate cash right now, but my heart goes out to her whole family. I am local to her (in OKC) and had a horrible house fire in February. Thanks to a lot of very generous friends, I have a few boxes worth of extra things (primarily kitchen gadgets–small food processor, crockpot, ten million forks and knives and spoons) I would be happy to get to her if she needs anything. Wish I could do more but I’ll spread the word.
    .-= Kathy´s last blog ..Do you have to let it linger? =-.

  23. How very sad. I have been in her situation and lost everything you own. You become very humbled/ and realize possessions are nothing when it comes to the safety of your family. I pray for her and her family that they find shelter and safety and the govt does right by them.

    My husband just returned to work after being laid off and were playing catch up. My heart and Prayers go out to her. Contacting the Red Cross can also be a huge help. They gave us a $300 gc to Kmart when it happen to us. Although it’s not much you can get necessity’s
    .-= Tricia´s last blog ..Taste What’s New and Tasty at Kraft Giveaway =-.

  27. I wish I could contribute financially but unfortunately I am sitting here with water running in my roof from the holes leftover from the hail storm and windows out of 2 of my 3 cars. I am putting word out about beds and furniture since I have friends that own motels and it may help until they can get what they really want. I know it is not much but II will tweet the stuffing out of this and post it on facebook.

  28. Monica,
    What a sweet friend you are to do this for Melissa and her family! (I’ve lived in Oklahoma before, so I know how AWFUL that red dirt/clay is.) Praying for Melissa and the undoubtedly countless others who are suffering due to these floods. I’m sorry I can’t do more, but I will try to spread the word.
    Thank you for your kindness.

  39. Wow I just found out about her situation. I have posted this story to my blog along with the donation widget. I am sure my readers will do all they can to help. Her family as well as her neighbors will be in our thoughts and prayers.

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