Montclair Grad Seeks to Spend The Holidays With His Mom, For First Time in 5 years

Eight years ago Shane Fuller’s made the decision to move back to her home country to take care of her family. Unfortunately Fuller, had to stay behind with his father in Montclair.

“I haven’t seen my mother since May 2013, which was only for five days,” said Fuller, a 2012 Montclair High School graduate. “There have been times where I haven’t seen her for three years at a time. She went back to her country because she had to provide for her family.”

The last time Fuller spent the holiday season with his mother was in 2010, when he was a junior in high school. He’s is hoping to spend this particular Christmas with his mother and family in Jamaica as they will be celebrating the lives of his grandparents.

“I don’t want to miss out on the chance to celebrate with them all because life is not guaranteed, even for my mother,” said Fuller. “I’d be devastated to know that something happened to my mother and the last Christmas I could spend with her was years ago in 2010.”

Plane tickets to Jamaica are expensive and as a college student, far outside of Fuller’s financial capabilities. He is a student at Rutgers University, Newark where he does a great deal to give back to his community. Fuller works for the university as a Resident Assistant for the Office of Housing and Residence Life. The theme of his dorm’s floor is diversity and he responsible for 36 residents.

Fullers involvement also extends beyond the RU housing community, he works with the university’s LGBTQ Diversity center. He was recently able to perform as the opening act for a fashion show held by the center.

His prize project however is a non-profit organization called Them Cloud Kids, designed to raise awareness of the Ubuntu Philosophy. Ubuntu highlights human kindness and awareness towards others. Fuller is working to have the organization officially recognized by the university.

“We raise awareness of the Ubuntu Philosophy and create opportunities for college students to give back to the community through civic engagement and mentoring,” said Fuller. “I aim to provide a support system for all people through mentorship with my organization.”

Taking note of his holiday wishes and community involvement, Fuller’s long-time friend from middle school, Isabel Elvins-Burrows, decided to create a GoFundMe page to raise money for his trip to Jamaica. Elvins-Burrows knew her friend hadn’t spent Christmas with his mother for over five years and wanted to help him out this holiday season.

“I was actually very surprised at her decision to make the page and the support that it brought forth,” said Fuller. “But I’m so grateful that she did.”

Click here to donate to the GoFundMe Page, “Get Shane to his Mom for Christmas.” To learn more about the organization, click here to visit the TCK twitter page.

*This article has been altered since its publication to protect the privacy of the parties involved. Additionally the GoFundMe Page was deleted by its creator once the fundraising goal was reached.