Repair For First Responder Vehicle

Campaign Starter:

My name is George Mercado. I am from Pembroke pines, fl and am the co-founder of Florida Navy, a natural disaster response team.  I am starting this campaign for one of my best friends Robert Holterback because he is too proud to ask for help from anyone. I will be honest when I state that there is no one in the world who I would trust by my side more than Robert in a disaster scenario.

Robert and I met prior to our first hurricane mission which was during hurricane Harvey in Texas, since then we have assisted in 4 hurricanes. It is our love for helping others that pushes us forward to leave our families in order to help others.  He is an amazing man whom I am proud to call a brother in arms, and a friend. He has given so much for others, I think it is time for the universe to help him for once.

Why the campaign?

This truck belongs to Robert Holterback , a great guy, an American patriot and friend. He is a member of the Cajun Navy and Co-founder of the non-profit Florida Navy.  His truck has been used for rescue work during Hurricane Harvey in Texas, supplies runs during Hurricane irma for those affected in Key West. He used it to gather supplies, for those affected during Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and we recently returned from doing water missions in Lumberton N.C. for Hurricane Florence.  Our last trip to N.C. damaged his vehicle and shut down his everyday life.

Towing airboat to Lumberton N.C. after Hurricane Florence for water missions.

He (yellow shirt) drove this truck from Florida to Texas for rescue and supply missions during Hurricane Harvey and also towed his airboat with crucial supplies for those in need.

We also used that vehicle to drop off trailer loads of food, water and neccesaties for those in need in Katy Texas after Hurricane Harvey.

A few weeks ago we returned back to Florida after driving to North Carolina for Hurricane Florence.  That is the kind of man Robert is, he will drop everything during a natural disaster to help others. Even if it means financial injuries to himself, his love for others is greater than his sufferings.

Robert towed his airboat out to North Carolina, a 12 hour drive to conduct rescue and relief  work and to  volunteer his time for flood water recon missions.

On our way home from North Carolina,  we felt something was not right with his vehicle.  The gears were slipping and we were concerned we would not make it home.  However, we were blessed that it did get us home barely at that. Robert drove non stop straight from Florida to North Carolina because the mission was everything, because people's lives depended on it.

This truck is his livelihood which he has sacrificed numerous times to help others in need. We were currently preparing it for Hurricane Micheal that is about to hit Florida when his transmission started acting up today. It seems he has put a great deal of stress and miles on this vehicle during all these relief missions and now the transmission needs to be rebuilt. The mechanic quoted him $3800.00 for a complete rebuild which he does not have the money for. He is too proud to ask anyone, so I am asking for him.

We need donations to help Robert repair his truck which will be completed by next Tuesday. Any help of $5, $10, $20, $50 or $100 will go a long way to meet that goal.  It will help out greatly a good guy who has so many countless times given from his heart to help others unconditionally. Hopefully life will pay it forward to someone like him who has helped so many at his own expense. He just wants his truck fix so he can drive to work everyday and have it on standby if we become activated for rescue/relief missions now or in the future. 

Where will the. money go too?

The damage to Robert's truck came out to a total of 3800.00 to rebuild his transmission and torque converter. All proceeds from these donations will go to pay off the repair cost in order to get the truck back on the road. Once the truck is repaired and picked up, we will head to Panama City, Florida to deliver food and necessities for those left homeless out there.  These donations will assist in getting that vehicle fixed so that Robert can continue to do Gods work and so that he can get to and from work.

Thank You on behalf of Robert and myself, this truck is his life and it is one of the main vehicles of our rescue team. Without it we cannot tow any trailers or airboats to those affected areas.