That's okay Billy Cochran, you can go just out and keep your job as the poster child for post birth abortions.

NavyVet-I agree that what Billy said was way out of line,But to take a swing at the current administration is also out of line.As an american i wish that we could all stop the division in this country.Hating gets us nowhere.

Wow, so much hate toward 4 children who just lost their parents. What a sad person you are.

.

People carry pain in different ways. Sometimes it comes out as anger. I am sorry you are struggling Billy and unable to see the full ramifications of what is happening to this college student and her family at the moment. No matter who we are, or the circumstances we are born into, life is never the easy road we picture it to be. Either for others or ourselves at times. We always seem to believe the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.While the fence is just crossing a mutual pasture. Often we are unable to see hidden sufferings and so, are blinded to things that could help us understand others better. With our limited information, we can make quick judgments unfairly towards others. Even on ourselves, because we are immature and lack life experiences.

It has been said, it is only with the heart that one can see clearly. What is essential is invisible to the eye. I hope people will be more gentle with each other, and to themselves on the road of life. There will be storms we cannot weather, tides which take us places we never wished to see. But it is from those experiences we gain empathy and compassion for others sufferings. It isn't what we experience which defines us, but how we choose to respond to those things. We do have a choice to get up and keep moving, or stay where we are, an let bitterness consume us. Nobody gets out of life without suffering sooner or later. It's a learning curve, we all get our turn on the wheel of life, so why not reach out and lend a hand while you are still up.

This young nineteen year old woman is now beginning a new journey. She will struggle and grow as she seeks to build a whole new life and world for her siblings and herself. Having resources will help. But the real struggles will be internal. As she questions her abilities and how she will face the world every day. We all must face life one day at a time.The battle inside and believing in ourselves precedes the winning of the battle outside, which the world notices. May she find the strength to carry on in the love her parents have for their children

Hoos yo Dada Billy?

Billy

You must not be a dad. This young lady is taking on so much responsibility, especially considering two siblings are already adolescents. What experience does she have? How much maturity? What assets?

It would be a tough row to hoe for two resposible, financially, physically and emotionally stable adults to adopt and raise these children. I don't know how this young lady is going to manage it. I wouldn't be surprised if, at the end of it all, she does not end up being an "affluent white person" because she is unable to complete her education or enter into a relationship, or any of the other tasks in life we need to complete to become mature, fulfilled members of society. $56,000 isn't going to go very far given the circumstances.

I wish her the very best and hope she gets good, sound guidance from older adults in her life.

All the Feds do in a "federal disaster area" is give low-interest loans to rebuild, and maybe some temporary help in getting food, water, shelter. Insurance is just money, they don't sit with you and help you figure out what to do with the money. The 19-year old kid has to clean up the mess, manage the finances, be a parent to 3 kids and deal with a long list of headaches that people 3 times her age have trouble with. I live in California...know people who have been through the drill. It is hard, really hard.

Racism comes in all colors. And to make it hit home, like Wascigarman asked, hoos yo dada, Billy? Duz yaz mamma even know?

Tell us, Billy, how does it feel?

Billy you are a lowlife scumbag and and arsehole. Therapy would do you good.

Billy...Why such anger and lack of compassion for a young teenager who not only lost her parents unexpectently, but in such a tragic way, and for 3 young children who did, also. She is now had to grow up overnight and not only figure out how to care for herself, but also see that her siblings are given what they need both financially and emotionally as their mentor. And you only see this in terms of what a white woman can make off of her loved one's deaths?

Are they white? I guess they are. I thought maybe I missed that while reading, but when I went back, saw the picture. My feelings of compassion haven't changed knowing what color skin these kids have.

Billy is the type of person that enjoys being a douchebag. Everyone needs a hobby, his however is pissing on people for simpy evil joy of it.

sociopaths are like that.

Billy, you're a POS...

oh shut up and go away with your old hateful stuff

i feel for this family but they will be lucky if anything from the 'estate' is left after the lawyers get done going thru it.......

"...after the lawyers get done..."

I actually caught one doing a good deed when he thought nobody would notice, and I hope that fortune hits these kids.

It's not a good idea to go driving around in a hurricane, they have irreparably damaged their children, stolen their eldest child's college education. I really feel sorry for the kids, but the parents need to go to the front of the line for the Darwin award.

Billy Cochran - a bitter, angry racist.

Losing both parents unexpectedly will shape the lives of these kids from this day forward, and that would be the case whether they were affluent and white or untouchables in the slums of Calcutta. There is no class, race, age-group or socio-economic bracket that enjoys exclusivity when it comes to the human experience. We have more in common than you might think from reading through the comments section here. Billy, you are capable of compassion as well as contempt, it might do you well to put out the effort to cultivate it.

allen; since all the children are minors; the court(unless there is a will appointing a guardian), will make them wards of the court, appoint a guardian, lawyer and require a penny by penny report on all expentitures ; no the lawyers do not rob estates, all estate costs and fees must be court approved.

Lesson one Billy. Don't use Facebook to make stupid comments on that will comeback and bite you. Second you need a lesson in being humane.

saxon, the oldest child is 19. She is not a minor and is petitioning to have custody of her three minor siblings. It is unlikely the children will be made wards of the courtsince there is such a close relative willing to take them. Plus, given the tragedy they have suffered, most judges would be unwilling to split the family up.

Billy is a troll. We ought to ignore such people and collapse their posts.

Billy,

Yes it is good to be an affluent White person in America. If you're not - too effin' bad. That means you're lazy or dumb. Either way, p*ss off.

Billy,

You probably experienced terrible things in your life which have taken away your feeling of compassion. Just the thought of being so young and having to take charge as an adult and become the caregiver and responsible person for three young members of your family is too much to handle. How you don't see that makes me think that you have lost your ability to feel any emotion or have any compassion. Please look deep in your soul and try to get out of whatever darkness you are experiencing in your life at this time. Money is important and necessary for survival but what matters most at the end of the day is your family and people who love you. Nothing will ever be the same for them. They will suffer for the rest of their lives reliving the death of their parents. I wish Zoe Everett and her siblings strength and unity and above all love. God bless you and may He give you strength to go forward to a bright future!!! And Billy, think about this quote "When you do good, you feel good, when you do bad you feel bad, that is my religion" Abraham Lincoln

A huge responsibility for a 19 year old. Good luck and my best wishes to all the kids!

People carry pain in different ways. Sometimes it comes out as anger. I am sorry you are struggling Billy and unable to see the full ramifications of what is happening to this college student and her family at the moment. No matter who we are, or the circumstances we are born into, life is never the easy road we picture it to be. Either for others or ourselves at times. We always seem to believe the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.While the fence is just crossing a mutual pasture. Often we are unable to see hidden sufferings and so, are blinded to things that could help us understand others better. With our limited information, we can make quick judgments unfairly towards others. Even on ourselves, because we are immature and lack life experiences.

It has been said, it is only with the heart that one can see clearly. What is essential is invisible to the eye. I hope people will be more gentle with each other, and to themselves on the road of life. There will be storms we cannot weather, tides which take us places we never wished to see. But it is from those experiences we gain empathy and compassion for others sufferings. It isn't what we experience which defines us, but how we choose to respond to those things. We do have a choice to get up and keep moving, or stay where we are, and let bitterness consume us. Nobody gets out of life without suffering sooner or later. It's a learning curve, we all get our turn on the wheel of life, so why not reach out and lend a hand while you are still up.

This young nineteen year old woman is now beginning a new journey. She will struggle and grow as she seeks to build a whole new life and world for her siblings and herself. Having resources will help. But the real struggles will be internal. As she questions her abilities and discovers how she will face the world every day. We all must face life one day at a time.The battle inside and believing in ourselves precedes the winning or losing of the battle outside, which the world notices. May she find the strength and determination to carry on in the love her parents surrounded and filled the lives of their children with.

I hate that when this happens. That's when I call out to Allmighty Odin, and then He brings his thunderous deliverance down upon this earth and sets things right! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3WJX1cIuY4

Deborah,

There was an appropriate and expedient response to Hurricane Sandy?

You obviously don't live on Long Island.............

There is, indeed, a huge difference in how we behave when tragedy strikes others. Minorities and poor people (now almost a majority, after the economic disaster and its fallout from 2008 to present) are more often scorned for their needs, while everybody pities the rich who lose homes or suffer economic loss but have the capacity to rebuild.

That said, this 19 year-old and her family have suffered enormous loss, and whether they have the funds to rebuild their lives should be besides the point. As it should for the poor and for minorities, as well.

I see how people buying groceries with food stamps are treated--stared at, disrespected, even called out, just because they need to eat. That's the mentality of Romney world and the viciously wealthy. Truth be told, behind every huge fortune are almost always hidden crimes, and the greater the fortune, the greater the malfeasance.

We voted for diversity, for compassion, for tolerance. We need to develop compassion and tolerance in ourselves and in others, so we can be once again a United States. America used to pull together for her poor. The Statue of Liberty reads, "Bring me your poor, your huddled masses, yearning to breathe free...." We need to remember our national character, and honor it by helping those in need without stint, regardless of color, ethnicity, social standing, or class.

This is what government is for--the vague notion that government can or should be run like business is absurd. "To provide for the general welfare" is listed in the Constitution as one of the prime reasons for government to exist. For the neo-con evangelicals, I might also add: it's the Christian thing to do.

Billy Cochran needs help as much as this young woman and her siblings do. He needs to be able to survive, get an education, and find training for a secure job that pays well and provides benefits. Government should be able to give him a hand up.

Reporters write about using food stamps to go to VEGAS and vacations.Not using them for children. That's why people stare at food stamp people.You go to the store and sometimes they are buying cases of pop and other non-essential items with the food stamps.I've seen it.I can't afford these items and am not on food stamps, so I resent it.Why should I help people buy pop and liquor and have vacations I can't afford?It paints the poor who deserve the food stamps with the same brush sometimes unless you know for sure they are poor.

Roosterboy said:

That's when I call out to Allmighty Odin, and then He brings his thunderous deliverance down upon this earth and sets things right!

That's 'AllFather Odin', and maybe you might want to rethink that since Odinists are on Homeland Security's terror watch list as 'radical Norse mysticism practitioners'...

Deborah Cox said:

There were constant obnoxious comments about the people of New Orleans not leaving when so ordered (never mind that many of them couldn't because they didn't have cars and there was nowhere to go), but very few comments when New Jerseyans and NYers chose to stay, even tho they would have been able to leave.

Uh, I've been watching the coverage of the storm and yes, there have been plenty of comments about those choosing to stay deserving what they got. I'm sure you saw the story about the woman in the car that got flooded and her two toddlers got swept away by rising waters, found a few days later in a marsh, drowned...oy, the comments after that one saying she deserved ito lose her kids because she didn't evacuate (never mind the fact that she might not have been in the initial evacuation zone.) I have a pen pal in New Jersey (widowed single mother, two children, she's a Special Ed teacher) who is still waiting for power to come back to her house and hasn't seen her kids in two weeks because she sent them to her mother's in inland NJ just before the storm. She was made fun of for being 'alarmist' for sending her kids to her Mom's--now she's being called a 'terrible mother' because she sits in a dark house trying to protect what she has left until the power comes back on rather than heading out to her mother's to take care of her kids.

Basically, no matter what you do, you're going to get criticized for it.

Linda said:

It paints the poor who deserve the food stamps with the same brush sometimes unless you know for sure they are poor.

It doesn't for me--if it does for you, then ask yourself who's holding the paintbrush?

I don't judge people by what they buy. I try not to judge people at all. Everyone has a separate story, a different set of circumstances, their own reasons for what they do (and don't do.) It's not up to me to decide what they do with their food stamps. Soda has a lot of sugar and caffeine--Caffeine gets you started in the morning when you have an empty stomach and no time to fill it; sugars give you a lot of instant energy (though none long term. It can help you get your blood sugar up in a hurry if you have diabetes. And liquor is the 'poor man's pain medication'. While we were waiting for my husband's disability request to be approved, I bought alcohol for him until he could get the meds he needed.

And yes, maybe I'm biased because I too was on welfare and food stamps three years ago. I remember the looks and stares I got when I bought 'nonessential' items like soda and cake mix and ice cream at the grocery store, then people watched me pack all of it in a backpack and climb on a bike. I explained to one woman that I don't have a car and it was my autistic youngest son's birthday, and I was going through breast cancer treatment and couldn't hold down a job.

Don't judge.

to the Lawyers.........................do the right thing and don't tie up these funds in litigation.....

do the right thing!

Amanda - excellent comment, thank you! I am a person who has great empathy for those suffering and feel that sometimes life deals you a bad hand, but that doesn't mean you should loose everything and be forced out onto the street. I don't understand people who would deny basic food and shelter to their fellow man because of some sort of perceived unfairness (I worked hard for my money, but they're just moochers on the system). I know there are some out there who abuse the system, but more often there are stories like yours, where life deals you an unexpected blow and you just need some time to recover and get back on your feet. That you managed to ride your bike to the store to purchase items to make your son's birthday special, while going through cancer treatment speaks volumes about the sort of person you are. I've watched people go through cancer treatment and it is horrible.

I'd bet these kids in the story would rather have their parents back then any inheritance they will receive. Stop the hate.

Don't worry about Billy -- he's disliked by his own family and has no friends. Gee, can't imagine why?

Amanda, you never owed anyone an explanation for anything. Who cares about judgemental evil minded creeps who simply can't stick to their own affairs? I challenge all of the self centered critics here to put your money where your mouth is. Have you donated to a soup kitchen? Do you give shelf stable food to your neighborhood food cupboard? Have you bought a meal for someone in need? Do you pick up the check for a random family in a restuarant? Tell them to pass it on. Try doing something instead of hating...

"restaurant"...

"I'm glad we had that storm" -- Chris Matthews

Billy, Who the he!! pissed in your coffee? Four children have lost their parents. I don't give a rat's a$$ if they're rich or poor, the parents are dead. DEAD.

You are obviously a hateful jerk with nothing better to do than to whine about white people. Karma's a bitch and your Karma is in the toilet right now.

Arthur66 ~ I'm glad we had that storm" -- Chris Matthews

OR rather then leave everything else he said out to make you're fake point how about it all in context. And even better you can listen to it here.

"I am so proud of the country. To reelect this president and overcoming -- not because of the partisanship or even the policies. Here's an African-American guy with an unusual background -- part immigrant background, part African-American background -- with all this assault on him from day one. From Mitch McConnell, from the clowns out there that will never be elected, never will be to anything.

And the way he took it, as someone said, with coolness and charm and dignity and took it and took it and kept moving forward and doing his job. And the American people, and I know we look at these percentage, 40% of white vote. Fine. That's about right among Democrats in the last couple cycles, three cycles or four. Good work for them. Good work for him. A good day for America.

I'm so glad we had that storm last week because I think the storm was one of those things. No, politically I should say. Not in terms of hurting people. The storm brought in possibilities for good politics. -- Chris Matthews"

Sorry Jeff,

Context does not excuse what he said. People died and are hurting because of the storm, so there is no context where saying it was a good thing just for political point scoring.

I like Chris Matthews, but I have to agree that what he said was pretty bad. I think I understand what he was trying to say - but wow, he really stuck his foot in his mouth with this one.

God Bless Them All?

If you believe in God you must believe God also brought this storm and brought the tree down on the truck, killing the parents. It's all God's Will. No hemming and hawing about it.

I wish this young lady and her siblings well and hope to be able to send a note and a donation but it won't contain anything about God. God has done enough to them already.

Why the unnecessary tongue-lashing over a simple, common phrase? ("God bless.") There's enough to worry about in this world without jumping down someone's throat for well wishes simply because it wasn't phrased in a way you like.

You sound angry.

However anyone wants to put it....Good luck, God bless, prayers and/or thoughts to this family.

amediamogul - why is it that people like you resent it when others express a point of view about God that is different from yours? voxrationis is entitled to his/her opinion as much as you are entitled to yours. There is nothing in his/her post to imply that voxrationis is angry. However, perhaps he/she is more enlightened than you are.

it's very interesting that what voxrationis stated is what many folks believe regarding the bible. jmo, i think what has been taught from organized religion has over the centuries re-enforced the perspective conveyed by voxrationis. however, the bible tells us clearly who and what is influencing the world we live in:

2 corinthians 4:4 says; "⁴among whom the god of this system of things has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, that the illumination of the glorious good news about the Christ, who is the image of God, might not shine through.

and 1 john 5:19 says; "¹⁹We know we originate with God, but the whole world is lying in the [power of the] wicked one.

all that said, i wish this young lady Zoe and her family the best. such a tragic and life changing event. i hope extended family members are available for she and her siblings to rely on for advice managing issues they never thought they would have to deal with at their young ages.

If you track through the story, you find out that the family was on its way home from having secured their horse barn. Not an unusual thing to have happen before a storm. The children in the truck were not babies, they are 14 and 11 year old boys, perfectly capable of helping make sure the barn and horses are safe.

How many people who lost their homes during the storm have you taken in ? None I imagine. Please put your rant on hold and leave people run their own lives. When you receive the perfect person award, let us know.

Dirp, do not be so hard on Sierra. They make a legitimate point. Evacuation notices were given days in advance of the storm. Governors and state officials don't make these announcements to scare the public. They do it because they know the dangers of a storm. What Sierra was saying is that they should not have been in the area to begin with because they should have heeded the warnings and left early.

The loss of life is, indeed, tragic, and I wish the best for the family. However, if we do not learn from their lost lives, then more will die in a similar fashion. I think Sierra is speaking with emotion because there are children who lost their parents when it could have been prevented. Too many times you hear of people who say, "I'm not leaving. This is my home." Sadly, it could just as easily be their coffin.

It's not right, it's not wrong. It's just fact.

I want to hear what you have to say about the 2 year old that was killed at a zoo last week when the childs parent picked him up to get a better look and he fell in.

Tom, you are comparing apples to oranges. A freak and sudden accident, such as what happened at the zoo, cannot be equivicated to the deaths of individuals during a storm in which they had been forewarned of the dangers days in advance.

Let us all try to use some reasoning when discussing such tragic events.

Did they update the zoo story? I didn't see anything about the parents picking up the kid.

Life often delivers tragedies. It is the mark of civilization when we help others through the tragedies, no matter who caused them. A person could be suffering from cancer, and the rest of the family has to pitch in; we usually do not get to pick when tragedy will strike us. It might have been better if the horses had been evacuated ahead of time, but since the horses were not evacuated, it would have been better to stay at that barn with the horses and not travel outside again in the path of trees. But whatever happened in the past, it is right now that a young woman will have to take care of her siblings, and close in age to her, which is more difficult to handle, not just the physical care but the guidance. There is no point in looking at the rational "would'a, should'a" now; planning for the future will be on her shoulders. I hope that her community helps with some of the emotional issues she will face: mentors for those children for example. She could turn this crisis overcoming danger into opportunity; whatever she was studying, she will take her choices very seriously. I wish her and her siblings the best in the years to come.

I hadn't read the post from "Seneca Falls" yet: if they weren't near the shore, there really wasn't anywhere to evacuate to. However, anywhere there is a wind storm is dangerous, but trees were falling on homes. I hope that Zoe and her siblings do well in the future, and find peace and love. God bless them!

The article states that the family is from Randolph, NJ which is about 50 miles inland from the shore. This was not an area under evacuation orders.

I can understand some of what he was saying. Why would you be out in hurricane winds even if you are away from the shore? Obviously the horses should not have been as important as the kids. They knew the storm was comming way before hand. If they needed to secure them they should have done it beforehand not during the storm. Everyone is cabable of making mistakes and hopefully nothing to this magnitude very often!!! I don't care who these kids are, this is horrible for them to have to deal with! It doesn't matter what color or how much money they have! All of them are way too young to have to deal with something so tragic!!! I'm sure they are all trying to be brave!

Sierra...Why these folks with their kids were "out in the storm" the article didn't say, so please don't judge so harshly just yet. And remember, these kids have lost their Mom and Dad and really don't need or want anyone saying their parents were irresponsible or abusive.

Sandy and Katrina were both devastating storms. In their paths they left death and heartbreak. But what I saw on the TV coverage of both storms, I have to agree that the Katrina survivors were not afforded the same care. And it is also true that to evacuate you must have your own transportation, OR money to hire transportation, AND somewhere to go, (family / friends) OR money to pay for lodging IF you manage to get out of the path of the storm. The entire nation saw the horrible scenes of folks gathered on those overpasses. The heat bearing down. All water was gone, the concrete was boiling hot...the elderly, the babies, the infirm were dying in front of our eyes. Where were the helicopters that should have been flown in from everywhere? They should have been there dropping water down, some type of padding to cover that hot concrete. Provisions to keep those waiting from suffering so badly while the worst were lifting out and carried to safety and medical care. These people were begging...

I'm not saying that no one lost loved ones, their pets, their homes, things in their lives that can never be replaced when Sandy blasted the coast. I just didn't see what was televised during Katrina. As a people and a nation of bountiful resources, it was America's darkest hour.

If there was a huge storm coming, and I had to take care of some piece of my property, I think I might want my kids with me rather than leaving them at home and have something happen to them when I am not with them or can't get to them. How would I feel if the tree had fallen on them in the house and killed the kids. 2 parents are dead. There is no way to spin this as smart or stupid

I'm from Jersey, and I knew even from a distance of 2,000 miles that this would be a bad storm, whether there were evacuations or not. New Jersey has suffered some freak weather events in the last few years, and the first ones should have taught people to be extra cautious. In particular, North Jersey, where this occurred, has a lot of very large trees. What happened was a tragedy, but you could probably make the argument that the parents didn't exercise impeccable judgment. That horse barn should have been locked down well before the storm hit, and if it wasn't, one person should have gone to secure it, not the whole family. We knew that lines would come down all over the state, that trees would fall and that there would be major flooding, even inland. There was no reason to expose children to that if the home they were in was safe. The majority of people who died in this storm did so because they left their homes, not because they were staying safe inside them.

It was an honest mistake, but it cost these kids their parents and left them more traumatized than necessary. Can you imagine their terror and the sheer horror of what they've gone through?

Everybody thinks they know what these people should have done, now that they are dead. Had a tree not fallen on them, no one would be saying a thing. Stop blaming them. They were doing what many people would have been doing--securing their property and trying to get home. They just had really bad luck.

Uh, Jackieboy, look to the right of the article and you will see a screen shot of the family.

I'm surprised too, JR. I guess there are just some people who are so angry at the world and in dire need of attention that they are unable to have compassion or empathy for anyone.

I seriously thought people would be talking about raising even more money for this family. Society jumped to the aid of the elderly bus monitor who was bullied to the tune of 600K + and here we're judging the parent's actions? and second guessing people who died? Everyone who evacuated and everyone who didn't? Shut up and help people just shut up and help! and if you're not going to help just shut up and go away. These kids and everyone needs support not a trial!

Very well put. She is smart to know that she needs help, and she is fighting for her family. A brave young woman.

This girl has made her parents proud!!! She is an inspiration. Don't try to take away the goodness she has shown with your petty comments. She has the burden of raising her siblings for years to come and yet she has responded in the most positive way imaginable. She is wise beyond her years. I send her and her family my prayers and wishes for a successful life.

She needs to take care of those kids... Victims of Sandy, first... That money is going to help her take care of 3 adolescent that had to witness the death's of their parents first hand. She is already helping victims of the storm... Her own family... While grieving and becoming a single parent in the worst possible way.

But I can see that point is wasted on you.

$56k won't last very long when going through something like this.

aww cmon simply, how can you even begin to go there, look it just happened for you to start chastising her for stepping up and saying hey this is more than a 19 yo can handle i need help and we as americans are reaching out and helping and for the record the company i work for has collected and donated over 500K from fellow americans that want to help, but i cant think like you or else i would have to start questioning well who got what and when and was it equal in times of tragedy its not a question how help is given but that it is. that wonderful girl deserves our praise and our prayers and hopefully she wont ever have to read what you posted, it would be unfair to her and her parents memory...god bless you and all america we have hard times ahead and the only way to survive is together.

What ever happened to actualy reading the ENTIRE article before chiming in with some type of snarky remark?

"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 Everett wrote."

Shame on you for being such a righteous jerk.

stc--they've said many times the $56,000 is just to get them over the hump period until the lawyers can get their parents estate settled

Yes, lets stuff all the "heart-warming" stories that comes from the ashes of tragedy into the closet so we can't have a light in the midst of the darkness. It's terrible that one family gets help--if we can't help EVERYONE EQUALLY, then NO ONE should get help.

And then, more people can complain about how the media only reports negative stories.

Brilliant idea.

(Sarcasm)

So unless everyone is helped, those who do get help should feel ashamed? I'm sure their survivor guilt is quite strong regardless!

Be happy for their good fortune. Their lives are not going to be easy. Yes, others are suffering--but others are also being helped. This is simply a story that stands out.

cdebar, I read that. It's just some of the other posters were talking that she ought to give some of it away to other hurricane victims like the $56k would go a long way. I know from experience it won't.

If there is someone who has nothing, suddenly gets more money than they will need, and they offer to share what they don't need with others who have nothing, that's a good thing.

Why not just let it go at that ?

I met a young woman who happened to be 18 years old when her sister died, their father obviously did not want them nor the grandparents. Phyllis Jean Maphis took in her sister, her sister's son, her sister's 5 or six kids, Darlene, Ronnie, Robin, Timmie and Stevie, plus she had her own child. Can you imagine not being on welfare or receiving food stamps and buying clothes for all, food, roof over their heads, heat and electric. This lady I became to admire while growing up. Yeah, she had issues as the kids got older dealing with the trials and tribulations, but now, her neices and nephews kids are her "Grandchildren". She is "GRANDMA". A strong beautiful lady. Phyllis Jean's sister Helen made sure that while "Phelly" was at work the kids were taken care of, feed, the home was kept clean. All Helen required was her "Salems and a Pepsi". She was happy. Oh, Helen kept the kids straight so when Phelly came home, her dinner was ready, her clothes were washed and she could relax after a hard day. That's what family does. I found true love in this family that my own lacked at times. The oldest Darlene sews (probably still sewing making and designing clothes); Robin bakes designer cakes (jewlery boxes, designer handbags and shoes, baby showers, weddings you name it she can do it). I don't really know what the men (young boys when I met them) are doing, but from my discussions and seeing the family pictures they are all happy. I commend this young lady who will be taking care of her siblings. Let us not criticize or judge, but pray and help out. Never judge unless you have been in those shoes and even if you have worn those shoes, you know what it is like.

Seneca. It's not Monday morning quarterbacking, and I agree that it is clear she had wonderful parents that raised her with a strong sense of family values.

My comment was to an individual criticizing another who was upset at the fact that the parents didn't evacuate. I was simply making a statement not to be hard on the person and to understand where that person's argument was coming from.

As you stated, "Maybe this couple should have closed up the horse barn earlier in the day...", showing that you as well do not know the full extent of the circumstances. My point is that this person was simply trying to state that we can learn from the situation (fact), and got attacked for making that statement. The truth is, if we do not learn from the event, then the death of the parents is truly pointless.

Everyone is so quick to shoot from the hip when it comes to matters like this. I'd prefer that we all at least take into consideration the arguments of others prior to judging them.

I do not live in NJ, I live in South Dakota. Yes, Sandy was a bad storm to say the least, but here we get that kind of weather often. When we had massive flooding throughout the state in 2007 we did not make national headlines, not even for the deaths. So, for you to say that you have it much worse...sorry, you are wrong. We endure flooding and drought so often it is become a norm and ppl die, yet nobody cares because we are a nobody state. Yes, I understand what you are going through, I have understood from a young age what flooding and bad storms are. My comments are that this person is not the only person in this country who has had to give up a college education to take care of family. It happens, it happens alot and for many different reasons. Maybe my cousin should have asked for donations when both of his parents passed away and he had to take care of his SIX siblings. He was only 18.

@simply then sir my respect and admiration for your cousin, but what people are upset over is why you even had to make that kind of observation yes we all know there is tragedy throughout this country, and there are many that are getting help and those that arent, but she reached out and asked and we responded thats not her fault and that is where i feel your rant is going almost like your blaming her for getting help, btw you from pine ridge? if you get what im asking

I lived in NYC for many years, and one thing that many people don't realize: there are a lot more people in the New York/ New Jersey/ Pennsylvania area than there are roads, and evacuation from the entire area wasn't possible for the millions of people, and to where? We had trees that toppled in Ohio from the same storm. That is why nobody should go outside in a wind storm, but there are times when some things just happen, and the barn doors needed to be closed. The event could be analyzed over and over, but it won't bring back those parents or the others who died. Let us pray for them and their families, that the dead rest in peace, and so that we can go forward with the help of our communities.

I donated to political campaigns before the hurricane, but I donated more to the people in this tragedy. I would hope that everybody does the same. Money is not the same as physical help, but every kind of help will be needed.

Wow. What's with all the people begrudging this family the money? No one took it from you or yours to give to her. These were VOLUNTARY donations. Crikey, you people are a miserable lot!

WOW simply you blew me away and i now see what your trying to say and what your intent really was, but can i just say that these children you refer to have the same opportunities that zoe did and she reached out for help, and i can say brother i have reached out my hand to help many people if they just ask and i honestly believe that as americans that is a major part of being who we are

I hope that everybody who needs help reaches out. We hear about people in Staten Island who are staying in their cold homes because they do not want to leave, but it is affecting their health. Some of these are old people, and need help. The cold weather is here, and these people need others to reach out and help them. We might think of these people as prideful and stubborn, but they might be too shy to ask for help. I hope that there is a place to house these people who need it.

I didn't "blow" anyone away. I was making a point. This is the point.... should everyone who is in Zoe's position and the families who have lost everything go to point of asking for donations????? There are too many ppl that need help. I am sincerely happy that Zoe is getting help but not for the lack of so many others that also need help. Are they too suppose to plea for help????? If you have never been in a disaster then you do not know that all affected need help. I do feel for Zoe and her family. But what are YOU going to do to help the myriad of families that have not recieved the same donations???? I have given....have you?

BTW...I am a female.

Simply8793,Your comments are true but this article isn't about other teens etc.The story is about this young lady named Zoe.Be happy for her.I wouldn't wish the loss that she's suffered on anybody.If you feel so inclined maybe you can start an organization to help other teens who are in her situation.

She ASKED for help!! I'm sure if anyone in that situation puts asided their pride and just asks--people will give

Here's the thing.

If you are in a bad situation, you need to get yourself out of it. By being PROACTIVE. She was proactive by asking for help. There's nothing wrong with that. How is staying silent and "hoping everything will get better" going to help? It's not. Would you prefer this family go on welfare so we have no option but to help? This gave people who WANTED to help the option to do so, in order to avoid the prior situation. Pretty classy and admirable to me.

It sounds to me like you are a bit bitter because the media latched onto this story and not those from your state. There are many, many hurting people out there....it is a shame but it would be impossible to cover them all. That's just reality.

I am extremely sorry to hear about the devastation in your state. Rest assured most of us don't think you matter less because of your location. But you need to research the reasons Sandy is getting so much coverage. It has to do with population density and the sheer devastation which was concentrated. It hit an area that is key to international business, art, and commerce. The bottom line is this was unprecedented and that is why the media is flocking.

Chipp,Woulda,coulda,shoulda,does not change this girl and her siblings fate.She is so wise for such a young age and I applaud her.I think posters such as yourself are mad that this happened but we can't change anything.All people can do is give her moral support and applaud this organization that is helping her family.

Simply....I admire your point.

That's what organization like Red Cross and FEMA are there for....to attempt to recognize the suffering of ALL.

But it's impossible to run 203948320942 news stories on every single individual who was somehow hurt by this storm, or any other.

How would you propose everyone be recognized besides volunteers and donations?

Did you even read the article? I am going to give you a few quotes... "A 19-year-old Rutgers University student who lost her parents in Hurricane Sandy and now must take care of her three younger siblings is getting more than $56,000 raised in less than a day through online donors." Good, she is getting help, there is more..."This wish was spectacular," Girgenti told NBC News on Thursday. The goal for Zoe Everettt was only $5,000. "The entire country came together to help this girl with her tragedy. Her wish is granted."

AND HERE IS THE KICKER "The family’s finances are frozen while lawyers sort out the estate, Girgenti said. "The donations will tide them over."

So you tell me, is everyone affected by Sandy getting the same donations? Are they getting the same help? If my cousin had done what she did (btw there was no will for him) he would have been blessed to have that money to raise his siblings, invest for their future, etc.

I am asking her to give some of that money to other victims of Sandy. That is all.

If you have horses, a horse barn, a truck, 4 children, and still have the ability to send your daughter to Rutgers University then it's safe to assume the family is affluent. Even if she is on a full scholarship of any sort. This combined with the fact that Zoe states herself that the families finances are frozen while lawyers (plural) sought out the estate, and that 56 thousand will "Tide them over" then yes it is safe to assume they are not living below the poverty level like the majority of Americans.

That is exactly the point I was trying to make without stirring up anger, I agree with you!!!! In every way I agree with you !!!!

Chipp, so judgmental! How do you know that the parents financed their daughter's education? Perhaps, she is on a scholarship or student loans. It amazes me to see how people claim knowledge about everyone else!

I started out posting something to lambast all you that seem to be begrudging this young lady the money that was donated to her, but really it's not worth the time or the words. Zoe, your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. I wish you all the best young lady. You hold your head high knowing your parents would be proud of the way you have stepped up. God bless!

Chip - Rutgers is the State University of NJ. The whole nut for a year is less than 20k. We are not talking 60k at some Ivy league school

I was thinking the same thing about Rutgers and wondering why people kept saying it was soo expensive!! Also I agree with Ann in saying how the hell do any of you know how she is financing her education!! She seems like a very responsible kid and maybe she worked all thru HS and saved her money. Not everyone goes to college on their parents dime!!

Wait a second.

So because I drive a new car, graduated from Penn State, and have access to a horse farm... I'm affluent too? News to me.

Truthfully there's always extenuating circumstances.

By your logic however, I'm really confused. I mean, I got a couple thousand in state grants because....you know, I was poor....and I asked for it....does this mean I need to give some of that money to kids who didn't ask and are also in a bad situation like I was?

I'm not trying to be mean but my point is, you can't begrudge someone for being proactive concerning their own future just because someone you know was not or dealt with a difficult situation in a different way. You have no idea what this girl has done for other victims of Sandy, either. There's other ways to give back that do not involve money....and that's the truth. Just ask Red Cross volunteers.

Even with a will, probate takes time. Time during which all the accounts/finances are frozen. However, the bills all still need to be paid.

Ask an estate lawyer: wills are useless. You want trusts set up.

Wow, a lot of people here have obviously never dealt with settling estates. When my father passed, his accounts were totally frozen. Usually you have to wait 6 mos. to a year, to make sure that all debts/medical bills, etc. are paid, before the family can get access to any money. In the meantime, you have to continue to pay the deceased's bills, because you cannot sell the house/car until the estate settles.

It took 12 months to settle Dad's estate. He was not wealthy, so it didn't take that long due to accounting for vast assets....just a house, a car, and a couple of bank accounts. That's just the way probate works.

I have given to charities that will help those less endowed than zoe. I won't give to zoe. I am not a baby nor are those I have contacted to give to relief organizations....have you given to any relief orgs? or are you just blustering your fingers on a computer?

SIMPLY8793,

I understand where you are coming from, I am glad this woman is getting help with her siblings. last year when the floods hit illinois, i was left homeless with 5 children, I was also in school and was trying to finish, I had major surgery all in one semester............I tried to get help, but no one helped me, when two separate trees fell on the house I was renting.......the landlord got more help than I did..........I ended up staying in my vehicle for two weeks, and at a friends house in their garage for a few of those nights. My one child has autism, cerebral palsy, and progressive macrocephaly, adhd and other things..............the only help I got was from a gas station, that would allow me to come once a day and get the kids chilli dogs and a soda...................I spent many nights crying because they were hungry I could not give them all they wanted. We went to a homeless shelter, they had no room, went to social services they could not help and went to the woman shelter but they could not take me because my son who was a junior at the time was 17.........................I am still struggling from that and have not been able to get on my feet.............................I just moved into a trailer in August to find out that the utilities company could not light the furnace because it was not safe to do so..........so now it is winter and i have no heat, i have one kerosene heater but gabriel's asthma is really bad...........I barely am able to catch up the bills..................I am poor and white....................So what do i tell my kids that they don't matter? Even though this girl reached out and others are helping, she had the courage enough to ask.................................but then again so did I .........So let me tell you what I have learned from this experience.............................I have to buy a furnace that will cost $2134.50 from a company that was really nice when they came over, but i am not able to get help.............i also learned that to appreciate what i have, because if i start wondering why someone else got help and i didn't, and wanting what they got, then i would never be satisfied, and i would never be able to appreciate the blessings I have. that the fact that we should have died but all 6 of us were spared, and for that let Zoe have her moment, because my moment was when my kids and i made it out safe........................................................We are all together..............................i still cry because i don't know what I am going to do...............My oldest son just had majory surgery on Sept 28 because two members on his highschool team had their cleats up during practice and kicked out his knee.....I have to try to work, take him to his therapy appointments, i have to put him in and out of the bathtub everyday. that alone is a task because he is 6'2 and I am 5'....................But you know I am so proud to be his mom....................It is hard, but there are others who have it worse.........................this young woman needs help................................at least someone is getting it. whether it is upsetting or not..........................bottom line is some people are helped and some aren't no it doesn't make it right, but that is just fact......................I agree with you...............Could you pray for me and my family, because we are experiencing so much difficulty....................God Bless you for being honest............But pray for Zoe, she will face so much hardship, because she has never been a parent, and now she is......................She did not have a choice, ............................