Children left behind after mom crashes into Bay

[organicmama]

I have an update about Shanna Day's children. I posted this on the original thread about the accident, but wanted to let people know that they can help also.

There are 4 kids left behind. Three of them go to Butler and 1 goes to ECMS. They are living with their Grandmother (Sonya) here in SRB. A number of people at Butler are providing meals to the family and there has been a fund set up for the children. The kids are with other family right now in AL and returning to their grandmother's tomorrow.

Please help in any way you can. PM me if you wish to deliver meals and I will get you in touch with someone who is coordinating it. I have a flyer that I can fax to anyone regarding the information on the fund that I received from the grandmother tonight. They are asking to get it on the radio and on local TV. If anyone can help with that, let me know.

I was blessed enough to be able to deliver a meal tonight and spoke with Sonya. She is a lovely woman who lost her only daughter (she has 2 sons) and now has the task of raising her grandchildren. My heart goes out to all of them. For many of us, tragedies are just a flash of news across a screen, but for these kids and their grandmother, the effects will last a lifetime.

Here is part of an email about the fund:

I spoke with Sonya yesterday evening. and she did get an account set up at People's First Community Bank. The name is: "Shanna Day Childrens Benefit Fund". There will be something in the NWF Daily News this weekend. You can go to any People's First and donate.

If you are still interested in helping with food, I know she would appreciate it. Sonya is on disability now, and is still trying to wrap her mind around all of this. She is very appreciative of any help.

[Paula]

Thanks for the update, sad as it is. For those of us who are far away, do you have any more information about the bank - address, phone # so that we can send donations?

Such a sad story and it's good to be able to help in some small way.

[Beach House 25]

Please forward me all the contact info and we will put this on ALL of our TV and Radio stations in Alabama and Florida! email me @ tv25@wkni.net or call me at 334-488-4001. We will be happy to step up to the plate. Gods Blessings on them and the family!

[momof2kids]

Thanks so much for posting this!

[organicmama]

Thanks for the update, sad as it is. For those of us who are far away, do you have any more information about the bank - address, phone # so that we can send donations?

Such a sad story and it's good to be able to help in some small way.

People's First Community Bank
14075 Emerald Coast Parkway. Destin, FL 32541
850-654-3339
800-992-4940

Thank you so much! SoWal is the best!

[organicmama]

Please forward me all the contact info and we will put this on ALL of our TV and Radio stations in Alabama and Florida! email me @ tv25@wkni.net or call me at 334-488-4001. We will be happy to step up to the plate. Gods Blessings on them and the family!

Thanks so much! I just sent you an email, so check your spam also.

[supermom262]

Thanks OrganicMama.

[Beach House 25]

Thanks so much! I just sent you an email, so check your spam also.

Please call me as soon as you can, We plan on doing a "LIVE" Give-A-Thon Christmas Eve until..... 3 Stations surrounding the Alabama/NW Florida Panhandle. The CEO of the company has waved the No-Holds Barred on this so we may continue thru the Holidays.... But call me as I would like to setup some interviews.

334-488-4001

[LightWorker]

People's First Community Bank
14075 Emerald Coast Parkway. Destin, FL 32541
850-654-3339
800-992-4940

Thank you so much! SoWal is the best!

Please call me as soon as you can, We plan on doing a "LIVE" Give-A-Thon Christmas Eve until..... 3 Stations surrounding the Alabama/NW Florida Panhandle. The CEO of the company has waved the No-Holds Barred on this so we may continue thru the Holidays.... But call me as I would like to setup some interviews.

334-488-4001

Bless you both for helping this family.

[momof2kids]

Organicmama told me that the firefighters are taking food to the family for Christmas eve & day - THANK YOU!!!!!

[organicmama]

Organicmama told me that the firefighters are taking food to the family for Christmas eve & day - THANK YOU!!!!!

Yes, thank you very much!

And thanks to everyone that have (and will) stepped up to the plate to help this family.

In speaking with Beach House 25 today, I was reminded that the thought of the trauma that the 10 year old (Tristan) must be going through and will be going through from being in the accident to trying to save his mom is terrifying just to ponder. I pray that he receives the help he needs to handle this in some way.

My mother lost her mom when she was 5. She and her twin brother were the youngest of 6 kids. I have seen what damage can happen and how each child deals with the loss in a very different manner and how they carry the effects throughout their lives. My husband lost his dad when he was 3. Again, the effects of losing a parent are tangible. I look at our munchkins and realize how each day that we breathe is a blessing and a miracle in itself. I am thankful and humbled.

Again, thank you to all of you. Much love and happy holidays!

[ThirtyAGal]

SoWal rides again! To you who are locals, thanks so much for sharing the information with those of us who are not there. I will send something to the fund at the bank. Thank you for being such wonderful neighbors.

[Bobby J]

I have an update about Shanna Day's children. I posted this on the original thread about the accident, but wanted to let people know that they can help also.

There are 4 kids left behind. Three of them go to Butler and 1 goes to ECMS. They are living with their Grandmother (Sonya) here in SRB. A number of people at Butler are providing meals to the family and there has been a fund set up for the children. The kids are with other family right now in AL and returning to their grandmother's tomorrow.

Please help in any way you can. PM me if you wish to deliver meals and I will get you in touch with someone who is coordinating it. I have a flyer that I can fax to anyone regarding the information on the fund that I received from the grandmother tonight. They are asking to get it on the radio and on local TV. If anyone can help with that, let me know.

I was blessed enough to be able to deliver a meal tonight and spoke with Sonya. She is a lovely woman who lost her only daughter (she has 2 sons) and now has the task of raising her grandchildren. My heart goes out to all of them. For many of us, tragedies are just a flash of news across a screen, but for these kids and their grandmother, the effects will last a lifetime.

Here is part of an email about the fund:

I spoke with Sonya yesterday evening. and she did get an account set up at People's First Community Bank. The name is: "Shanna Day Childrens Benefit Fund". There will be something in the NWF Daily News this weekend. You can go to any People's First and donate.

If you are still interested in helping with food, I know she would appreciate it. Sonya is on disability now, and is still trying to wrap her mind around all of this. She is very appreciative of any help.

Would love to bring over groceries but do not want them overwhelmed with food. Would a donation be better at this point. Do the kids have christmas gifts?

[Babyblue]

Will go to the bank on Monday. What happened to the father? Bobby makes a good point do the children have X-mass gifts? Tomorrow is Christmas Eve.

[momof2kids]

The kids do have gifts, and are all set in that area. As far as giving: do whatever your heart is asking. The father has a no contact order against him and is not allowed by the courts to see the kids. (he has to comply with what the court is ordering at this point before contacting them).

This mother was a young mother who was in the process of trying to get her life straight for her kids. Just when she was starting to get the kids in a good environment, this tragedy happened. The gift of all this is the kids will be with family, and see that there are good people out there willing to help strangers in a time of need.

Thank you to all of you! This family will need help long term, and however you see fit to help will be a blessing to them.

[organicmama]

I second everything that momof2kids said. She's the force behind all of this, as I only know about it because of her emails. She's one of the SoWal greats.

One thing they are going to need in the very near future are school supplies and bookbags. All of their gear was in Shanna's car when it crashed. I know Sonja is worried about that. Momof2kids, any update on that one?

SWFD is headed over there this afternoon, after the kids get back in.

Merry Christmas to all! I'm glad to say that I'm a part of such wonderful people.

[momof2kids]

I am in touch with Mrs. Smith (Butler's Principal), and she is checking to see if the school has any backpacks that were not used from the beginning of the school year. She thinks there were a few, but will check sometime over break when she goes into the school again. I will let you all know when I find out.

SO - I know how big hearted everyone is, but we don't want them to get 30 backpacks. Until we hear from Mrs. Smith hold off on the school supplies. Thanks!

This part may be something the PTO could help with also... I will contact them as well.

Again - thanks everyone!

[organicmama]

This mother was a young mother who was in the process of trying to get her life straight for her kids. Just when she was starting to get the kids in a good environment, this tragedy happened. The gift of all this is the kids will be with family, and see that there are good people out there willing to help strangers in a time of need.

Thank you to all of you! This family will need help long term, and however you see fit to help will be a blessing to them.

I second all of this.

As Sonja said to me yesterday, Shanna didn't have much in this life, she just wanted her kids to have a better life and gave them everything she could. I hope we can all be the answer (in our own ways) to a mother's prayers for her children.

Long-term is so key here, as immediately, they are overwhelmed by help, but seeing things through so that the kids are doing well down the road is incredibly important. Not my statement, that's Beach House 25.

[momof2kids]

Merry Christmas everyone! I spoke with Sonja today. She is holding up. Please continue to pray for this family. They have a lot of needs right now, and Sonja is struggling to stay strong.

They are living in a house too small for the 5 of them, and have a car the is not dependable to transport 4 kids.

Thank you to everyone who has helped them in some way already!!

Keep them in your thoughts & prayers as you celebrate Christmas with your family and friends. Thank you!

[momof2kids]

Forgot to add that there will be something on WJHG tonight at 5 & at 10.

Thanks!

[organicmama]

To reiterate a little of what momof2kids wrote:

Sonja has a truck with a bad transmission. It's not big enough or safe enough to tote the 4 kids around. They need a minivan or SUV ASAP. She cannot get them back and forth to school or to all the appts they now have to attend to with the transportation they have.

They are living in a tiny home in Blue Mountain Beach. It's not enough for all of them to live in. All the kids are in the same room at this point. If anyone has any connections to Habitat for Humanity, she's really interested in working with them. She really, really wants to stay in the area because of needing stability for the kids and she wants them to have a home that they can grow up in and a safe environment to live. These kids have gone through a lot in their very short lives.

They still owe $600.00 in funeral expenses. It's due by the 18th of January. Plus, they could not afford a headstone, as it was $1100.00. These are simple dignities that need to be taken care of.

Can we get help with these things ASAP? Thanks so much!

[organicmama]

Forgot to add that there will be something on WJHG tonight at 5 & at 10.

Thanks!

Glad that came through! That's awesome!

[momof2kids]

Bumping back up

[organicmama]

This is a quote that I got in my email inbox this morning. It pretty much sums up what this is all about. Hope each of you had a very Merry Christmas and are having a wonderful Holiday season!

"You know that feeling when a relationship goes stale?

The likely reason is you are receiving without sharing. This results in stagnation. Just as trapped water becomes putrid, so does Light become stagnant when its flow is blocked. There is nothing wrong with receiving — we’re supposed to receive; but if there is no sharing, then what we receive is limited and unfulfilling.

Today, share love. Share time. Share friendship. Just share."

[seacrestkristi]

Nice quote, organicmama. Thanks for sharin'.

[Jennifer Steele]

To reiterate a little of what momof2kids wrote:

Sonja has a truck with a bad transmission. It's not big enough or safe enough to tote the 4 kids around. They need a minivan or SUV ASAP. She cannot get them back and forth to school or to all the appts they now have to attend to with the transportation they have.

They are living in a tiny home in Blue Mountain Beach. It's not enough for all of them to live in. All the kids are in the same room at this point. If anyone has any connections to Habitat for Humanity, she's really interested in working with them. She really, really wants to stay in the area because of needing stability for the kids and she wants them to have a home that they can grow up in and a safe environment to live. These kids have gone through a lot in their very short lives.

They still owe $600.00 in funeral expenses. It's due by the 18th of January. Plus, they could not afford a headstone, as it was $1100.00. These are simple dignities that need to be taken care of.

Can we get help with these things ASAP? Thanks so much!

I will forward this information to some who are Walton County Habitat board members. Hopefully I can find out something and will let you know.

[organicmama]

I will forward this information to some who are Walton County Habitat board members. Hopefully I can find out something and will let you know.

Thank you! Thank you! Send our love to your beautiful family! XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

[Beach House 25]

Thank you! Thank you! Send our love to your beautiful family! XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

This kinda reminds me of the movie "Pay it Forward"? In a good way. Invest in the future of these young kids and see what kind of foundation "We" have provided as strangers wanting to make a positive difference. This is very good seeing the kindness of a community local as well as extended. "The future is not ours to see" a quote from a song of long ago, But we sure can plant the seeds! Long term help is needed here. Not just a quick fix.

[organicmama]

This kinda reminds me of the movie "Pay it Forward"? In a good way. Invest in the future of these young kids and see what kind of foundation "We" have provided as strangers wanting to make a positive difference. This is very good seeing the kindness of a community local as well as extended. "The future is not ours to see" a quote from a song of long ago, But we sure can plant the seeds! Long term help is needed here. Not just a quick fix.

ITA. Thanks for all your help in this.

I have learned that the rough times in life give us the grace to be able to truly help others when they are in need. We cannot appreciate the blessings if we do not also feel the stress of our own burdens.

May we be able to help these kids and this family in coming out of this so that they can have better lives, but also so that they may bless the lives of others.

I don't want Shanna's struggles to make a better life for her kids be in vain.

[Beach House 25]

ITA. Thanks for all your help in this.

I have learned that the rough times in life give us the grace to be able to truly help others when they are in need. We cannot appreciate the blessings if we do not also feel the stress of our own burdens.

May we be able to help these kids and this family in coming out of this so that they can have better lives, but also so that they may bless the lives of others.

I don't want Shanna's struggles to make a better life for her kids be in vain.

Thank you! you two have done a great job in keeping this in front of people as well as keeping the updates coming. As I said to you we at Perihelion Global Inc. Media Division and the rest here are behind this 110% We will continue to followup on these kids for months if not years ahead. Thanks again for everything you guys are doing!

[momof2kids]

Thank you SOOO much Beachhouse25! You & your company are fantastic! Thank you!!!

[Beach House 25]

Thank you as well, We need to keep this alive and in front of folks in days and weeks to come. Lets step up to the plate for these kids and make a difference!

[Beach House 25]

http://www.nwfdailynews.com/article/10843

[momof2kids]

I will forward this information to some who are Walton County Habitat board members. Hopefully I can find out something and will let you know.

Who did you forward info to? I was going to call them in the morning and see what needs to be done. Thanks!

[Beach House 25]

I have an update about Shanna Day's children. I posted this on the original thread about the accident, but wanted to let people know that they can help also.

There are 4 kids left behind. Three of them go to Butler and 1 goes to ECMS. They are living with their Grandmother (Sonya) here in SRB. A number of people at Butler are providing meals to the family and there has been a fund set up for the children. The kids are with other family right now in AL and returning to their grandmother's tomorrow.

Please help in any way you can. PM me if you wish to deliver meals and I will get you in touch with someone who is coordinating it. I have a flyer that I can fax to anyone regarding the information on the fund that I received from the grandmother tonight. They are asking to get it on the radio and on local TV. If anyone can help with that, let me know.

I was blessed enough to be able to deliver a meal tonight and spoke with Sonya. She is a lovely woman who lost her only daughter (she has 2 sons) and now has the task of raising her grandchildren. My heart goes out to all of them. For many of us, tragedies are just a flash of news across a screen, but for these kids and their grandmother, the effects will last a lifetime.

Here is part of an email about the fund:

I spoke with Sonya yesterday evening. and she did get an account set up at People's First Community Bank. The name is: "Shanna Day Childrens Benefit Fund". There will be something in the NWF Daily News this weekend. You can go to any People's First and donate.

If you are still interested in helping with food, I know she would appreciate it. Sonya is on disability now, and is still trying to wrap her mind around all of this. She is very appreciative of any help.

.

[Diane4145]

What absolutely beautiful, children! My prayers are with them and their grandmother! I'm sure that these times, especially at the holidays, are so very difficult, for them all!

http://www.nwfdailynews.com/article/10843

[Paula]

People's First Community Bank
14075 Emerald Coast Parkway. Destin, FL 32541
850-654-3339
800-992-4940

Thank you so much! SoWal is the best!

THanks for the info and keeping this thread going. I'm sure it will help the family get the support they need in many ways. And I hope they get a Habitat for Humanity House in the area!

[momof2kids]

Thanks Paula for your thoughts!

[organicmama]

I've AWOL from SOWAL literally this week again will be back in town manana. Thanks for everyone's support in this.

[momof2kids]

I just wanted to let everyone know that through many generouse parents, and the supply store at the middle school all 4 kids will now have new backpacks & school supplies to begin the 2nd half of the school year with! The community support has been amazing! Thank you to all who have donated - no matter what it was. Thank you to all who have kept this family in your prayers. They will be better because of you.

[Beach House 25]

I just wanted to let everyone know that through many generouse parents, and the supply store at the middle school all 4 kids will now have new backpacks & school supplies to begin the 2nd half of the school year with! The community support has been amazing! Thank you to all who have donated - no matter what it was. Thank you to all who have kept this family in your prayers. They will be better because of you.

Hope we can kick this off next week and get more long term interest in these children! Happy New Year and God Bless you and the folks that are putting in such the effort... Your seeds will produce Love and Light!

[Cork On the Ocean]

I've been AWOL for awhile and just learned of this from BH25 yesterday. What is the situation on the car? We need to see what we can do in this area? I know there's an organization for this purpose. Also, if we can get the transmission fixed would this help? Please post or PM me and let's get them some transportation.
Thanks to all of you. It's the people that make Sowal what it is!

[Diane4145]

Hopefully, someone local may follow up with this, information!

Thrift Store Of Grace

3223 Hwy 98, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459, United States (Map) (Add Company Info)
Phone: (850) 622-0784
Contact Name:Norma Calhoun
Contact Title:Principal
SIC:Used Merchandise Stores
Line of Business:Ret Used Merchandise


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[Cork On the Ocean]

Hopefully, someone local may follow up with this, information!

Thrift Store Of Grace

3223 Hwy 98, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459, United States (Map) (Add Company Info)
Phone: (850) 622-0784
Contact Name:Norma Calhoun
Contact Title:Principal
SIC:Used Merchandise Stores
Line of Business:Ret Used Merchandise


Men's Clothing Brooks Brothers™ - Official Site. Shop Classic, Quality Fashions.
Men's Clothing on Sale Discount Prices Everyday Clearance on All Men's Clothes!
Women's Designer Clothing 30-70% off Women's Clothes. Free Shipping on 1000's of items!

Diane,
the Thrift Store of Grace has been taken over by the Goodwill store that was across the street so now the Goodwill store is at that location. Not sure if Thrift Store of Grace relocated, sold or closed but it's gone.

Still need scoop on the car.

[Beach House 25]

Do they still need a Car?

[momof2kids]

I apologize for not responding about the car yesterday as I had to work all weekend, and although I checked the site I didn't post...

I will be calling Sonja today to check in and will ask about the car. The youngest childs birthday is today, so I am sure their minds will be elsewhere.

As soon as I hear something I will post. Thanks for your patience!!

[Diane4145]

Thanks for the info, Cork! Personally, I love thrift stores, but, have never cared for Goodwill's. They price their stuff bigtime retail and I'm wanting bigtime bargains! Yep, I know that it's about their being able to help others, but, I feel that you don't have to price, so high!

Diane,
the Thrift Store of Grace has been taken over by the Goodwill store that was across the street so now the Goodwill store is at that location. Not sure if Thrift Store of Grace relocated, sold or closed but it's gone.

Still need scoop on the car.

[organicmama]

I've been AWOL for awhile and just learned of this from BH25 yesterday. What is the situation on the car? We need to see what we can do in this area? I know there's an organization for this purpose. Also, if we can get the transmission fixed would this help? Please post or PM me and let's get them some transportation.
Thanks to all of you. It's the people that make Sowal what it is!

The car isn't just the transmission, it's also the size, as they have the 4 kids to tote around and a truck won't do it. My thought is that a good minivan would do the trick, as the gas mileage would be so much better for them than an SUV.

Is it possible to get a committee working together on this face to face? There's a lot that needs to be done to help this family, but it can get overwhelming and just being offline for a couple of days one can totally loose focus. Please PM me if anyone's interested at all.

[momof2kids]

Happy New Year everyone!

Sonja is still in need of a dependable vehicle. Their is a list of things wrong with her Kia, aside from the fact that it is too small for a family of 5.

If anyone has any information on how to apply for a donated car, please let me know. If we point Sonja in the right direction, she is capable of getting things done, she just needs to know where to go.

Right now she is going in the right direction to get things "normal" for the kids. She has taken them for physicals, and now has to deal with a host of health issues (eyes, teeth etc...) for all the kids. Not to mention she is having her own health issues. I have stressed to her that she needs to take care of herself in order to take care of the kids, and she is working on that as well.

Please continue to keep this family in your prayers.

Thank you.

[florida girl]

I had a rather unusual discovery yesterday in front of my house on the bay, it was a Grey Goose Vodka bottle with messages inside. I looked inside at the messages, it also contained a a silk rose, and discovered messages of love to Shani. I didn't know what to do. I reassembled it, and thought because of this thread, someone here would have an idea. I would assume that someone threw it off the bridge, and the currents brought it to shore. Actually, most anywhere you throw it in the bay, it will float to shore. What should I do? I could tie a rock around it, and sink it, I know she died in the bay, and that's probably where they wanted it to stay, as a memorial. Anybody got any ideas?