https://gofund.me/2c131578 (Art by )

"Sometimes the most important thing a person can ever say is 'I was here.'" -@Dragoneer 2024

I am sorry to be coming to you all like this. As the majority know, Dragoneer passed away on August 6th. I have been asked to keep Fur Affinity going in his stead. I will be honest. It is terrifying. I've lost my best friend. Someone that I always thought would be there for me and lift me up. The grief is monumental, and this was not a position I ever thought we would be in.

I know that Dragoneer wanted Fur Affinity to keep going after his passing. And that is exactly what we want to make sure happens. But we cannot do it on our own. We are calling on the community to come together during this hard time to keep our online home going. Not just for ourselves but for everyone else that considers FA as such. He was a good man and always put the community before himself. He would rather go into debt or go without than let FA close. He knew what it meant to the community. So many people still rely on Fur Affinity. It's where many of us started out nearly two decades ago. People have built friendships, relationships, families, communities, and careers on FA.

We are also here to ask for assistance for his mother, Rita. She has been going through such a difficult time. Dragoneer's father passed away two years ago, she recently lost her sister, and now her only son has also passed. She is devastated. I have known her for 14 years, and never once has she asked for any kind of help... but she needs it now.

We need help covering a variety of unforeseen expenses: the medical bills left behind, funeral costs (there will be a private family and public celebration of life), and making sure Rita has the means to get by while she manages his affairs. We also need help keeping the lights on at Fur Affinity during this unanticipated transition.

The goal is high, but please understand that it has all these things in mind. The minimum goal of $75k* ensures these unexpected needs are met for her and covers one month of the expenses Fur Affinity requires. We will be fundraising for as long as possible. If you've ever used Fur Affinity, or if Dragoneer/Preyfar/Wren has ever touched your heart with friendship, please share this around. Please help make his passing a little easier by taking care of his family and legacy. He put his all into FA; it's time we show him how much it all means to us, hold it high as a community, and keep it thriving.

Thank you for every bit of help.
With love,
Sciggles, Rita, and the Fur Affinity team.

*In the interest of transparency, the following is a breakdown of the costs. Many are estimates until we have specifics; however, we will be posting the Fur Affinity transactions as they happen. Anything sent to Rita will just be shown as a lump deposit out of respect.
$27k - Medical expenses
$20k - One month estimated FA costs to help with legal transition
$17k - Balance due to IMVU for FA’s buyback (estimated)
$12.6k - Six months mortgage on Dragoneer's house so Rita has time to sort things
$8k - Public celebration of life (estimated)
$3k - Medical examiner and cremation (estimated)
$3k - Family’s funeral (estimated)
$1k - Urn (estimated)
$1k - Rita’s travel costs (estimated)
??? - IRS (unknown total at this time)

https://gofund.me/2c131578