Hello Everyone,

My name is Maria Meek, and I am one of Therese’s cousins from the South. I wanted to help coordinate a list of ways for people to help support Therese, Ava, and Kellen not only for the present but also in the months ahead as the three of them adjust to life following the loss of Dustin.

 Many people have reached out to Therese saying, "Just let us know what we can do,” or “We’re here to help. Reach out with what you need.”  Therese admits it is not easy for her to ask for help. She told me she sometimes doesn’t know what all to ask for but realizes that she does need help and is very appreciative of it. As she put in her last post, Dustin told her that people will want to help her and to let them.  In efforts to take people up on their offers to help and to nudge Therese to accept that help, I came up with specific ways for people to donate money or time or both. I encouraged Therese to come up with ideas, and I added my own ideas (that I assured Therese are fine to include). I attempted to prioritize these ideas in order of need and how soon in time they are needed. All items on the list are important!

My hope is that this “Wish List” (see Giftster link below) will give people specific ideas for how to help so to make supporting the Leochners feel more personal. I’d like to make this easy for Therese as well. If you have any questions on how the Giftster site works, or if you’d like to sponsor something or help out in a specific way but do not want to sign up through the website, I am happy to help with that. PLEASE reach out to me at: mariameek3@gmail.com with any questions or suggestions.

Please note that the Giftster site (see link below) does NOT send any funds to Therese. Clicking "Purchase" or "Buy" or "Reserve" will NOT actually purchase anything. To sponsor a monetary item you will need to Venmo @Therese-Leochner or PayPal @thereseleochner. Please be sure to send Venmo or PayPal $ as "between friends and family."  - The GoFundMe site: Leochner Family Fund  is also still active and an option to lend support (anonymously or not). These funds also go directly to Therese. You can also mail her a personal check. Feel free to contact me with questions on any of this!

I had a hard time deciding on how to best organize ways to help and finding a platform, so hopefully this method works. I can make changes as needed! Also, if there is a something you’d like to help with that is not on the list, please feel free to reach out to me or to Therese.  Therese is not opposed to other ideas, and she is also fine with people forwarding or sharing this list with other people or organizations.

Therese wanted me to be clear that she does not expect anyone to give more or to feel obligated to help with these ideas. She is so appreciative of all the support she has already received. She was concerned people will think she is asking for more or for too much or putting people out, but I reminded her this is in response to people asking how to continue to help her and the kids.  It also gives people a way to express their care and to feel connected to Dustin and her and the kids. She does want to take people up on their offers, and I want people to be able to help in meaningful ways. I wanted to help in organizing support because I know how much the Leochner family means to all of us. I also know how important it is to have support in times of need.

Therese, Ava, and Kellen appreciate your support in whatever way.  Together we can help them as we honor Dustin.

Thank you,

Maria Meek

mariameek3@gmail.com

Link to Ways to Help Giftser List: Leochner Family Ways to Help Wish List via Giftster

Link to Therese's PayPal: paypal.com/paypalme/thereseleochner

Link to Therese's Venmo: Venmo.com/u/Therese-Leochner     (the last 4 of her cell # are 1280)

Link to the GoFundMe site: Leochner Family Fund