Rally for Randy
Donation protected
If you went through Benzie County Central Schools, or had a child go through BCCS, then you are sure to know Randy Knapp, the PR custodian. Students would describe him as funny and a bit of joker. He’s quick to smile at the students, and they are quick to light up when they see him in the cafeteria. He’s the one the students turn to when their lockers get stuck, when they need a desk raised or lowered, when they notice something written on the bathroom stall, or when they just need a friendly teasing. There’s a tremendous amount of respect and - yes, I would call it love – between Randy and the students he sees on a daily basis. Randy has helped a good number of students on many different levels over the past 40 years, and now he could use a bit of help himself.
Randy attended Benzie Central himself, starting Kindergarten in 1962. Since then, he has been a permanent member of the BCCS family. Randy started working as a custodian at Benzie Central through the TBA programs when he was in 10th grade. He continued his placement while completing his high school degree and was officially hired by the district in 1976. In 2012, the district was looking at cutting costs and charged the custodial staff a very difficult decision - give up their insurance benefits or lose their jobs to privatization. After 36 years of working for Benzie Central, Randy lost all of his health benefits.
Contract negotiations rolled around again, and Benzie Central was forced to offer insurance benefits to ALL of their employees. Randy’s insurance coverage was slated to start in November of 2015, just one month shy of the massive heart attack he suffered in October of 2015. Randy was hospitalized for four days and had several procedures during that time, all without insurance coverage, to the tune of over $40,000. Even with his full-time employment and frequent over-time, Randy knew there was no way he could cover such a high bill. Over the last several months, he has worked with numerous organizations in an attempt to reduce the amount owed. Luckily, some organizations cooperated and helped with some of the expenses, leaving Randy with a slightly over $20,000, still a heavy debt to cover on his income.
Randy did not want to be a part of a GoFundMe account. He didn’t want to ask others for help for his own purposes, but I know what a loving, giving community surrounds Randy, and I know that those who know him would want to help. Any donation would be greatly appreciated to help Randy whittle down his medical expenses - a little for a person who has done so much for the school community.
Randy attended Benzie Central himself, starting Kindergarten in 1962. Since then, he has been a permanent member of the BCCS family. Randy started working as a custodian at Benzie Central through the TBA programs when he was in 10th grade. He continued his placement while completing his high school degree and was officially hired by the district in 1976. In 2012, the district was looking at cutting costs and charged the custodial staff a very difficult decision - give up their insurance benefits or lose their jobs to privatization. After 36 years of working for Benzie Central, Randy lost all of his health benefits.
Contract negotiations rolled around again, and Benzie Central was forced to offer insurance benefits to ALL of their employees. Randy’s insurance coverage was slated to start in November of 2015, just one month shy of the massive heart attack he suffered in October of 2015. Randy was hospitalized for four days and had several procedures during that time, all without insurance coverage, to the tune of over $40,000. Even with his full-time employment and frequent over-time, Randy knew there was no way he could cover such a high bill. Over the last several months, he has worked with numerous organizations in an attempt to reduce the amount owed. Luckily, some organizations cooperated and helped with some of the expenses, leaving Randy with a slightly over $20,000, still a heavy debt to cover on his income.
Randy did not want to be a part of a GoFundMe account. He didn’t want to ask others for help for his own purposes, but I know what a loving, giving community surrounds Randy, and I know that those who know him would want to help. Any donation would be greatly appreciated to help Randy whittle down his medical expenses - a little for a person who has done so much for the school community.
Organizer
Tami Roberts Roeske
Organizer
Lake Ann, MI
