College student's parents killed by Hurricane Sandy

Date Granted:

November 8, 2012

Location:

Undisclosed, New Jersey

On Wednesday November 7th, a person who works in the same building as Wish Upon A Hero asked if us if we could help his friend's girlfriend, Zoe. Both of Zoe's parents were killed by Hurricane Sandy. Upon hearing the story, Wish Upon A Hero team instantly agreed to help. The wish verified by our team and posted towww.wishuponahero.com and in less than 24 hours over $56,000 was raise to help Zoe and her family. Below is Zoe's wish and her thank you to everyone who helped. Zoe would like other Hurricane Wishes to be help as well. www.hurricanewishes.com

Zoe's Wish

The Foundation will be assisting Zoe and her siblings. We are posting a wish on her behalf.

"My name is Zoe. Before Hurricane Sandy I was a typical 19-year-old student at Rutgers. But then came October 29th. I was studying for an exam, waiting out Hurricane Sandy and then I received a phone call. At 11pm on October 29th, I found out both of my parents had been killed. They were driving the pickup truck home with my two little brothers sleeping in the back seat. A Hurricane Sandy gust blew a 100-foot tree on the cab of the truck killing both of my parents. My brothers made it out alive but with some bumps and bruises. I needed to get back home to take care of my 3 younger siblings (ages 17, 14 and 11). I finally made it to the hospital in the morning after battling with Hurricane Sandy all night. I was no longer your typical 19-year-old. A moment in time, a second of bad luck, changed my life and my sibling's lives forever.

I now have two goals: caring for and being guardian of my three younger siblings and keeping my family in the house we grew up in. It is challenging realizing what a lengthy process everything and anything seems to be. Money is stuck in limbo and I'm doing everything I can to keep my family's stability in place. School is no longer a priority, but still a goal I am determined to achieve, but my family, my siblings, come first. I love them more than they could ever fathom and I am ready and willing to put any amount of weight on my shoulders to lessen the load on theirs. They are children who deserve to be kids and enjoy the life they have lying before them. I am going to be strong for them. I am going to be wise. I am going to be patient. But I won't be naive, and I won't say that I don't need help. Our immediate needs are to pay for groceries and bills in the upcoming months. Every donation is vital to the health and comfort of my siblings I care for and love."

THANK YOU MESSAGE TO ALL OF THOSE WHO HELPED

"On behalf of my siblings and myself, I would like to express our sincerest thanks for the overwhelming support and generosity shown to us. Wish Upon a Hero has raised funds for my family that have exceeded our wildest dreams. The donations have ensured our well-being for the next few months and will hold us over until we are able to access our own funds. If there is something we strive for, it is to be as benevolent and giving as our parents were. They had the ability to see the good in everyone they encountered, and they trusted in the good hearts of humanity. It has been a blessing to witness these qualities in action, as a community and a country pull together for a cause. At this point, my family’s needs have been met. We would like to draw attention and further donations to other individuals whose needs have not yet been met. My family has been so blessed, and we would like to be able to do the same for others who have suffered the misfortune of Hurricane Sandy." - Zoe