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In Fauquier County, more than $170,000 was raised in just days as support swells for firefighter Gilda Martinez, whose son Aiden suffers from Spinal Muscular Atrophy and is in need of a new mobility van after theirs broke down on the side of the road.
The single mother of two purchased a wheelchair van to take him to and from doctor appointments, family get together, and other transportation needs, but the outdated vehicle had to be kicked into "emergency mode" in an effort just to keep it operational, which did not last long.
Their tribulations came to a head in November, when the van broke down on the side of I-395 in Fairfax County and they needed to be picked up by fire and rescue personnel there.
In response, the Fauquier County IAAF Local 3762 union set up a fundraising effort to help the Martinez family, but they could not have imagined how giving their neighbors and well-wishers could be, with more than 4,600 donors raising $72,436 as of 9:45 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 1.
Their effort was buoyed when Sharon McMahon, host of the popular Sharon Says So podcast, shared news of the family's situation on her Instagram account, which includes more than a million followers.
The initial goal of the GoFundMe was $40,000, a figure that McMahon said would not be enough to truly offset costs of the new ride, as well as additional taxes, insurance and other fees in the wealthy county.
"I really do think after doing some research, that their initial fundraising goal for a new van was not nearly enough," she said on Instagram, noting that the van and hydraulics for the lift would have to be insured separately.
"You might be able to find something for $40,000, but in today's prices, that's not really an accurate reflection of something that's going to last a long time."
McMahon, a former high school teacher, shared the Martinez story, and the response led to tens of thousands of new donations in just a few hours.
"We're looking at closer to $100,000 for a 2- or 3-year-old van, so I don't think $40,000 is an accurate fundraising goal," she continued. "I think they were trying to be modest and frugal, and that's understandable, but we can definitely do better ... And we are."
McMahon estimates that they helped raise more than $100,000
Union members were flabbergasted by the community's quick response after the fundraiser went viral in some corners of the universe.
"Now, Gilda is left with no way to get her wonderful son to and from his appointments, family events and shopping," organizers wrote.
"She is in a position where she has to lift him (literally pick him up) and place him in a smaller vehicle and place his specialized chair on a rack, outside of the rear of the car. She then has to repeat this process once at their destination."
Union members said on Thursday that they are "absolutely astonished" after asking the community for the equivalent of a Chrysler and bringing in enough cash for a Rolls Royce.
"Without you, this would have been insurmountable," organizers said about the influx of donations. "I'm happy to report that we have surpassed our goal and the donations continue to grow as I type this.
"Gilda and her family are overwhelmed with emotions of gratitude and endearment."
According to her LinkedIn account, Martinez graduated from the Virginia Fire Marshal Academy and has been a fire technician in Fauquier County since January 2017.
Those interested in donating to the Martinez family's cause can do so here.
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