Algonquin neighbors remember Michelle Beer as a caring person and a good mother.

“Michelle was an awesome person … a great person and a great mother,” said Brad Garlin, her neighbor.

He recalled seeing Michelle Beer, in her ninth month of pregnancy, at the school bus stop on the morning of Sept. 14.

“She had just gone to the doctor and everything was going well. She was due in two weeks. She couldn’t have been happier,” Garlin said.

That evening, an aneurysm took Michelle’s life at the age of 38. Doctors were able to save the life of her baby, Karina Michelle.

Michelle’s husband, Pete, is left to raise his two daughters on his own – 6-year-old Amanda and newborn Karina.

“Pete is the nicest guy ever. That’s how it works. They were an incredibly happy couple,” Garlin said.

The entire neighborhood was shocked by Michelle’s death, and friends and neighbors were looking for a way to help. They have been providing meals for the bereaved family but wanted to do more.

“People feel better if they can give something, especially if it’s somebody in your circle, somebody you know,” Garlin said.

He recalled times standing out at the school bus stop with Michelle.

“She had spoken at the bus stop about her kids going to college and dreams she had for them,” he said.

Garlin set up a fundraiser with a goal to raise $20,000 to send Amanda and Karina to college.

“I think it would help their mom live on for them; she can provide for them even if she’s not there,” Garlin said.

The fund is past $1,800.  Friends and family are hoping that the community will come together to support Amanda and Karina by donating to his fundraiser on GiveForward.com.

Cate Conroy, director of marketing for GiveForward explains that the website helps people facing financial crises or who have experienced a tragic event.

“We enable people to get together. Sometimes people need help but find it awkward to ask. Other people want to help, but they don’t want to insult someone by offering. We create a positive way for people to come together,” Conroy said.

Those interested in helping the Beer family can donate directly through the GiveForward page. There is also a fundraising event at Georgio’s Chicago Pizzeria and Pub in Crystal Lake on Tuesday, Oct. 18. Georgio’s will donate 15 percent of its dine-in sales and 10 percent of its carryout from each purchase that presents the flier attached to this story.