They’re friends for life

Golden is trying to reach out to everyone to help Cross cover her bills as she has had to take a leave of absence from her job and go on disability.

Cross’ nurse practitioner, Felicia Forrest, has worked out a caring calendar so that local volunteers can help with driving the kids to school and preparing meals, Cross said.

“Felicia is my angel here,” Cross said. “Sara is my angel there.”

Tracy Winters of Los Angeles has never met Cross, but said she’s a close friend of Golden’s. Winters and her husband, Time, made a small financial contribution to the family last year when they lost their home, she said.

“We asked what we could do,” Winters said. “It was around Christmastime, and it looked like it wasn’t going to be much of a Christmas for the boys, so my husband and I got them gift cards from Toys R Us so they could go and pick out something.”

The couple also sent them winter coats and hats.

“They were California boys,” she said. “They weren’t used to the Oregon cold and wet.”

The Winterses have pledged a monthly contribution to the family, Tracy Winters said.

Golden is continuing to raise funds to help her friend.

Golden is also e-mailing Cross’ friends to donate to the cause.

“I can’t stand by and not help,” Golden said. “She needs help, and we’ve been friends a long time. If I could take it out of my bank account, I would.”