Our GoFundMe Story

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We want to start off this story by saying that GoFundMe and other crowdfunding sites have been incredible blessings for many people. Oftentimes they bring together complete strangers and unify them in a single cause - helping others. However, we urge any of you that start a crowdfunding campaign or have one started for them to proceed with caution. 

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Here's why we say this: In 2017, a family member of Raymond's started a GoFundMe account to help pay for Ray's medical treatments. The community around us was so incredibly generous and the campaign raised over $20,000. When the campaign was over the family stole the money from us. We only saw $4,000.  We went to the local police in Franklin, TN., who said they couldn't do anything because the thief didn't live in their jurisdiction. So we contacted the police in city where the family member lives, Las Vegas, NV. They said they couldn't do anything because the money was stolen outside of their jurisdiction. After a year and a half of back and forth with law enforcement and GFM, we received a portion of the funds. The law enforcement agents said that Raymond's fundraiser was one of the largest refunds that GFM has ever rewarded and that it was because of our family's persistence and evidence we submitted. Thank you to GFM, the Las Vegas financial and Crime Agency and especially our attorney, Jodi Melind, for all their help and support.That's why we have decided to raise the money privately through direct donations to the Ray of Light PayPal account. That way we don't have to worry about third party involvement.

We encourage anyone with a crowdfunding campaign set up for them to make sure it's being run by someone you trust 100%.