Dear Benefactor,
Life can change in an instant, and for my family and me, it changed dramatically last year. We live on Maui, where I had a stable job that allowed us to live comfortably. However, the devastating Lahaina wildfire obliterated our community, leaving me jobless and our family in dire straits.
Our situation is dire, and we humbly ask for your help. The wildfire not only took away my job but also consumed our savings. We are now in a desperate situation, needing to find a way to make ends meet.
Compounding our struggles is my wife’s severe dental issues. As a child in China, she was given antibiotics that inhibited the growth of enamel on her teeth—a common issue due to the medications used at the time. Seeking affordable dental care, we went to Mexico, where we spent $8,000 on treatment, only for it to be botched, leaving her in constant pain with ten improperly done crowns. Proper dental care in the U.S. is crucial for her health and well-being, but it is prohibitively expensive for us right now.
Adding to our emotional and financial burden, my wife’s parents have recently moved in with us from China. They are elderly and needed her care, as she is their only child, a result of the one-child policy. Shortly after their arrival, her father was diagnosed with stage 4 colon and liver cancer. Caring for her parents has added an immense emotional burden to our already strained resources.
To provide for my family and ensure my wife receives the dental care she needs, her parents are cared for in their old age, and we can build a new life after the wildfire, we have come up with a plan. One viable solution is starting a small business on Turo, renting out cars to tourists on Maui. With your support, we can purchase a few vehicles to get started. This venture will provide a steady income to pay bills and slowly rebuild our lives.
We are a hardworking family that has always managed to pull through tough times, but the combination of these hardships has left us overwhelmed. Your generosity could be the beacon of hope we desperately need. By supporting us, you would help us start the Turo business, fund my wife’s essential dental repairs, and assist with her father’s care. Every contribution will make a significant difference and bring us one step closer to stability and hope.
From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for considering our plea. Your kindness can change our lives forever.
With gratitude,
Derek & Fei Benbrook