Team Kara: Healing & Hope on the Journey through Grief
Click here to donate
Click here to register for the event.

Please support our team to raise money for Kara's 2025 Walk'n'Run to Remember! HONOR A LOVED ONE ~ SUPPORT THE JOURNEY

Fundraising Amount=$1,195.00 ; Goal=$1,500.00
Donate Now

Please join me in fundraising for Kara! Every day, I am inspired by the healing and hope that grieving children, adults, and families find with Kara's compassionate support. 

I am walking this year in memory and honor of my only brother, David, who died on June 11, 2025. My sisters and I miss him terribly and were stunned by his sudden death. 

I have vivid childhood memories of Dave playing basketball and softball with me, teaching me how to improve my long-range shots (until I was beating him in HORSE!).

My love of Michigan - GO BLUE! - was a conflict with his love of Michigan State, a rivalry that will live on forever.

Now, Dave is with my sister, Janet, who died in 2019, and my parents, Jack and Irene. I am grateful for my brother and the love we share. I will carry him in my heart always.

I love you, Dave ❤️


Thank you for supporting Kara through this fundraiser team! If you would like to participate in the event as a Walker or Runner, please be sure to REGISTER HERE

About Kara
As a nonprofit serving the San Francisco Bay Area since 1976, Kara provides comprehensive bereavement support, crisis intervention and grief education to individuals and communities facing the difficult realities of death and loss. Guided by empathy and compassion, every day we offer caring support to children and adults and provide a space where those in grief find deep relief in the company of others. Through a time-tested and highly effective peer support model, over 200 volunteers compassionately serve children and adults on their journey through grief so they can move toward renewed hope and meaning. Services are designed to be accessible and fees are not charged for our peer-based support.  We are funded primarily by charitable donations and the heartfelt generosity of the community we serve.


 

Team Member Stories

Kathy Merkle-Raymond

I am walking this year in memory and honor of my only brother, David, who died on June 11, 2025. My sisters and I miss him terribly and were stunned by his sudden death.  

Now, Dave is with my sister, Janet, who died in 2019, and my parents, Jack and Irene. I am grateful for my brother and will carry him in my heart always. I love you, Dave ❤️

 

 

Donors and Comments

Michelle Steger  pledged to give  10/29/2025
Melanie Dolgachev  gave $50.00 10/17/2025
"Yay! Great job for a great cause!"
Moe Harris  gave $100.00 10/15/2025
"Thank you Kathy for all you do for soooo many, including myself. What a great way to honor Dave. 🙏"
Anonymous  gave $100.00 10/15/2025
Lee Merkle-Raymond  gave $250.00 10/15/2025
"Kathy, You give so much to Kara and to all those you love. Sharing in your grief for Dave."
Anonymous  gave $100.00 10/15/2025
Anonymous  gave $25.00 10/15/2025
Judith R Mitchell  gave $50.00 10/15/2025
"Kathy, my baby sister, you have provided us with such a beautiful way for sharing our grief for our brother, Dave. You are our grief counselor. I love you so much. Now do that walk for both Dave and Jan. And do it for us sisters too. We'll be in it with you. God bless you, Kath. ."
Jacqueline L L PRIELIPP  gave $25.00 10/13/2025
"Your work with Kara is an outpouring of your love and care for all who are a part of your life. I love you, sister!"
Keili Deal  gave  10/12/2025
"Thank you Kathy for everything you do for Kara. You go above and beyond in service of this community and we so appreciate you! See you Saturday!"
Anonymous  gave $25.00 9/10/2025