By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Single mom dons moustache and baseball cap for Donuts with Dad at sons school
a8dda1216f6267d9e36b44926b46991309a123c322917db313dbadcefd8737cd
No Caption - photo by Jessica Ivins
FORT WORTH, Texas Single parents often have to tackle multiple roles, but one Texas mom is winning over hearts everywhere with her dad side.

Yevette Vasquez is raising her 12-year-old son, Elijah, all on her own. While there are many difficult things about single parenting, Vasquez told ABC News the hardest part is worrying her son will miss out on the father-son stuff.

So when she pulled up to her sons school to drop him off last week and noticed the parking lot packed with cars, she knew something was up.

I asked him, Whats going on? Is there some event that Im supposed to be here for? Vasquez told ABC.

When Elijah informed his mom that the school was hosting a Donuts with Dad event, she immediately asked him why he hadnt told her earlier, and joked that she would have happily dressed up like a man so he could attend.

Much to Vasquezs surprise, Elijah was totally on board with the idea, telling her, We got 10 minutes before the bell rings! ABC reported.

So the mother-son pair raced home, and with the help of a plaid shirt, baseball hat and fake moustache, they returned to the school as father and son.

Most of the dads thought it was really cool, Vasquez told CNN. They thought it was really supportive and sweet.

Elijah was likely the happiest kid in the room thrilled that his mom was willing to go to such lengths to make him feel comfortable on a day that would have otherwise been a bit of a bummer.

Vasquez posted pictures of her dad day on her Facebook account, and those photos have since gone viral as of Tuesday night, theyd inspired more than 17,000 reactions, 5,900 shares and hundreds of comments.

I know seeing other dads with their kids isnt easy for mine, but its life, she wrote. At least I can do whatever it takes to put a smile on that face, so here it goes.

Vasquez told CNN shes been receiving messages of support and encouragement from other single parents across the globe.

We dont know each other but know that Im a momma just like you and Im so proud of you, one commenter wrote. Dont ever let anyone bring you down. Know your worth!

Vasquez, who has two younger sons as well, told ABC News she doesnt intend to retire the moustache any time soon, especially after seeing how happy it made Elijah.

My three boys are my loves and I hope I can raise them to be amazing men, fathers and husbands even without a father figure example for them, she said.
Sign up for our e-newsletters
New Medicare cards are in the mail and scammers are on the prowl
15a28f62e4e53fcceb32746533cbdfdf48abb7c7d42a28dbb1aeb1083721f23b
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has begun mailing new Medicare Health Insurance ID cards. The program no longer uses Social Security numbers to identify people. - photo by Lois M Collins
The federal government is beginning to send out new ID cards to the 58 million Americans who benefit from Medicare. But since many of the people who will receive them don't know they're coming or why, scammers are already gearing up to take advantage.

An AARP survey shows as many as three-fourths of Americans 65 and older have no idea the cards are coming, so some individuals may be duped with claims that they're supposed to pay a fee or provide personal information that will be used, instead, to defraud them.

The new cards are the first reissue in years, and the most striking part of the redesign is that the cards no longer carry the beneficiary's Social Security number. Congress mandated the removal of that number as an identifier for Medicare beneficiaries by next April. Instead, the card has a Medicare Beneficiary Identifier number, an 11-digit combination of numbers and letters.

The new Medicare cards are now being mailed out in batches, starting with the Eastern seaboard and moving west. Most Medicare beneficiaries will receive their cards over the next six months, as long as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has their correct mailing address. Once the cards are in hand, people can share the new identification number with their health care providers. During a transition period, either card is valid.

The old cards, which used Social Security numbers as the personal identification number, should be destroyed.

AARP recently launched an education campaign to warn consumers about scams related to the new Medicare cards.

The membership organization's "Fraud Watch" consultant, Frank Abagnale reformed con man, scammer and the subject of the movie and book "Catch Me If You Can" tells senior citizens the only time they need to carry the actual Medicare card is to health care appointments. Otherwise, it should be left in a safe place. If they want to carry one in their wallet or purse, he says, make a copy and black out the first seven numbers.

Since the cards were announced, scammers have already:

  • Called seniors and asked for their bank account information so that money on their old card could be returned. There is no money on the old card and CMS never asks for personal information over the phone.
  • Offered to send the new card after Medicare beneficiaries pay a $25 fee to cover expenses related to the card. The card is free.
  • Said the card will be mailed out as soon as the older person verifies his or her Social Security number, mailing address and other personal information. CMS already knows the beneficiary's Social Security number and it's no longer being used in conjunction with health care.
AARP and the Federal Trade Commission will hold a free online seminar about the cards and the fraud attempts they have spawned on Thursday, April 19, at 7 p.m. EDT. Register at: www.aarp.org/FraudWebinar. CMS also offers a "frequently asked questions" guide to the new cards.

The AARP Fraud Watch Network says consumers can sign up for its Watchdog Alert emails that deliver breaking scam information, or call a free helpline at 877-908-3360 to speak with volunteers trained in fraud counseling. Abagnale also hosts a weekly podcast for AARP, called The Perfect Scam.
Latest Obituaries