Help Make it a "Home-r" for Coach Pete
Donation protected
As most of you know, Pete tested positive for Covid-19 the first part of 2021. To say he has been on a roller coaster ride since then would be an understatement. He was air lifted from Effingham Hospital to Jacksonville to receive the needed care to overcome Covid pneumonia. Today marks day 44 of being hospitalized and day 17 of being on a ventilator (for the 2nd time now). His lungs have suffered tremendous damage and the road to recovery will be a very lengthy one. The doctors feel that if stable enough in a few weeks he can be moved to a long term acute care hospital back home in Savannah for further care.
Now the next hurdle.....insurance. Depending on how Pete can be transported, there will be a large out of pocket expense left to pay. Insurance may only cover ground transportation 30 miles from the hospital. If flying him back is the only safe means of transport, out of pocket expenses could range from $17K-$24K. This GoFundMe was created to help with cost of transport, offset growing medical bills, and future care/therapy that will be needed for his recovery.
Would you consider contributing to Pete's expenses? I know him or Julie would never ask but would greatly appreciate any help that is sent their way.
So how do you know Pete?
Did you know?
- He is the proud father of our 3 boys, Tyler (27), Austin (22), and Avery (19) who love, adore, and miss their hero dearly. They need him close to home. He also has 3 step-sons AJ, Dustin, and Ben. A house full of boys that share his love of sports and outdoors (and Julie of course!). Would he have it any other way?
- He is married to the strongest woman I know. I'm so grateful to have her as my boys "bonus Mom". She loves them like I do! Julie has been by Pete's side every day since the roller coaster ride began. She's a middle school teacher who I know is missing her kiddos these days. More than that, she is missing her boys, parents, and everyone back home. It's so important we can get them back here!
- He is a veteran of the U.S. Army and served in Operation Desert Storm. Were you stationed in Korea or at HAAF Savannah with him? If you are currently serving or are a veteran yourself, THANK YOU! You are appreciated!
- He has spent the last 25 years being called "Coach Pete" by so many. When Tyler was 5 he started coaching him in soccer and baseball and has dedicated most of his life to coaching hundreds of boys and making life long friendships with their families. He's even coached basketball just to give the boys something to do in the baseball off season. Maybe you've coached with him or against him. Either way, he has a passion for sports like no one else!
- He is a small business owner since 2001. Maybe he's shipped packages for your at their UPS store in downtown Savannah, done print jobs, or handled your mail.
- He loves 80's music, hunting, fishing, golf, Atlanta Braves, Georgia Tech, the Falcons, and living at the ball field and cheering from the stands. Maybe you've shared a spot with him on "Pete's Porch" at Effingham County High School's Rebel field? If there's a game of any sort, you'll probably find him there. After he came off the paralytic, one of his first questions to Julie was "did I miss the Super Bowl?" Does that tell you anything? And we know he can't wait to see Ben and Avery play some ball again.
Now that you know a little about Pete and his love for life and everything and everyone in it, would you consider making a small donation to help out? To get him back home? To ease the financial stress of medical bills? To let him, Julie, and the boys focus on each other during his recovery? Who would've thought that a healthy 51 year old with no medical problems could be hit so hard with this virus? He is a fighter and with love, support, and lots of prayers, he can knock the effects of Covid out of the park and take home a Win!
Feel free to share this. And remember to take care of yourself and each other!
Many have asked for an address to mail cards:
Pete Elenbaas
c/o The UPS Store #1355
22 West Bryan Street
Savannah, Georgia 31401
Now the next hurdle.....insurance. Depending on how Pete can be transported, there will be a large out of pocket expense left to pay. Insurance may only cover ground transportation 30 miles from the hospital. If flying him back is the only safe means of transport, out of pocket expenses could range from $17K-$24K. This GoFundMe was created to help with cost of transport, offset growing medical bills, and future care/therapy that will be needed for his recovery.
Would you consider contributing to Pete's expenses? I know him or Julie would never ask but would greatly appreciate any help that is sent their way.
So how do you know Pete?
Did you know?
- He is the proud father of our 3 boys, Tyler (27), Austin (22), and Avery (19) who love, adore, and miss their hero dearly. They need him close to home. He also has 3 step-sons AJ, Dustin, and Ben. A house full of boys that share his love of sports and outdoors (and Julie of course!). Would he have it any other way?
- He is married to the strongest woman I know. I'm so grateful to have her as my boys "bonus Mom". She loves them like I do! Julie has been by Pete's side every day since the roller coaster ride began. She's a middle school teacher who I know is missing her kiddos these days. More than that, she is missing her boys, parents, and everyone back home. It's so important we can get them back here!
- He is a veteran of the U.S. Army and served in Operation Desert Storm. Were you stationed in Korea or at HAAF Savannah with him? If you are currently serving or are a veteran yourself, THANK YOU! You are appreciated!
- He has spent the last 25 years being called "Coach Pete" by so many. When Tyler was 5 he started coaching him in soccer and baseball and has dedicated most of his life to coaching hundreds of boys and making life long friendships with their families. He's even coached basketball just to give the boys something to do in the baseball off season. Maybe you've coached with him or against him. Either way, he has a passion for sports like no one else!
- He is a small business owner since 2001. Maybe he's shipped packages for your at their UPS store in downtown Savannah, done print jobs, or handled your mail.
- He loves 80's music, hunting, fishing, golf, Atlanta Braves, Georgia Tech, the Falcons, and living at the ball field and cheering from the stands. Maybe you've shared a spot with him on "Pete's Porch" at Effingham County High School's Rebel field? If there's a game of any sort, you'll probably find him there. After he came off the paralytic, one of his first questions to Julie was "did I miss the Super Bowl?" Does that tell you anything? And we know he can't wait to see Ben and Avery play some ball again.
Now that you know a little about Pete and his love for life and everything and everyone in it, would you consider making a small donation to help out? To get him back home? To ease the financial stress of medical bills? To let him, Julie, and the boys focus on each other during his recovery? Who would've thought that a healthy 51 year old with no medical problems could be hit so hard with this virus? He is a fighter and with love, support, and lots of prayers, he can knock the effects of Covid out of the park and take home a Win!
Feel free to share this. And remember to take care of yourself and each other!
Many have asked for an address to mail cards:
Pete Elenbaas
c/o The UPS Store #1355
22 West Bryan Street
Savannah, Georgia 31401
Organizer and beneficiary
Lori Lynn Riner
Organizer
Register, GA
Julie Elenbaas
Beneficiary