The problems for Mary Ann Summers didn't end when she was rescued from "Gilligan's Island."
A GoFundMe drive has raised more than $200K in just over two months to assist with both medical and tax bills for 79-year-old actress Dawn Wells, known to a legion of fans worldwide as 'Mary Ann.'
According to the GoFundMe petition, Wells was a victim of an unexpected accident that required hospitalization for two months and she needed funds for both medical costs and in an unrelated matter to alleviate IRS penalties. More than 5,400 people have contributed to the drive.
Wells thanked contributors earlier this month in a Facebook post saying, "I don't know how this happened. I thought I was taking all the proper steps to ensure my golden years. Now, here I am, no family, no husband, no kids and no money. I'm grateful that God has given me so many friends and fans who care, or it would all be too ....overwhelming .....I am grateful to any of my fans who are willing to offer support."
Wells representative Harlan Boll told USA Today that her team was "in the process of setting up a trust so there's transparency. Anyone who wants to know where the money went can know, The trust will decide how much of it goes to medical bills, IRS, etc."
Wells and Tina Louise, who played movie star Ginger Grant on the iconic 1960's show, are the only surviving members of the cast.
