WEST FARGO – A West Fargo teenager is stepping up to try and fill some big shoes.

In 2012, the 18-years-old’s mother passed away of a heart attack. On Jan. 4, her father died suddenly, leaving her two younger siblings in foster care.

MacKenzie Jackson made a promise to her parents to take care of her younger siblings – ages 14 and 16 – and she plans to do it.

But, she can’t do it alone.

Jackson and a family friend, who’s been helping her, visited the Jay Thomas show on WDAY Radio to ask for the community’s help.

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“I feel like my brother and sister need me because I’m really the closest thing that they have left of my mom and dad,” Jackson said.

Right now her siblings, Spencer and Meagan, are in foster care in West Fargo. She’s been working with Cass County to gain custody, but before that happens she wants to move out of her current home because both her parents passed away there.

“It’s kind of hard for us to walk past the bedroom knowing that they’re not going to be there,” Jackson said.

However, MacKenzie doesn’t have enough money for the three-bedroom apartment she needs, which is why she began a GoFundMe site in the hopes of raising $5,000 to make payments and other needs.

“I know my sister’s going to need a bed for sure and we’re probably going to need like a couch and dishes and silverware,” Jackson said. “Just like the basic needs.”

Family friend Tawnia Olson says Jackson is not the kind of person to ask for things, but in this case their resources are limited and every little bit helps.

“We’re all at a loss of where do you even start with all this? You know, you just kind of look to others and hope somebody who’s been through it before can help,” Olson said.

Although these are big shoes to fill for an 18-year-old, Jackson says she’s up to the task. “It’s going to be harder now just by myself, but I think I can do it.”

“Her strength is just unreal to me,” Olson said. “How she can take all this on, she’s just so strong.”

A benefit and silent auction for the family is scheduled for 5 p.m. Feb. 7 at Faith Lutheran Church.

If you’d like to donate items for the auction or to Jackson herself, you can email Jay Thomas at jthomas@wday.com or private message him on Facebook by clicking here.

You can donate to Jackson's GoFundMe site by clicking here.