*Edited due to being informed Ellie and my services at Newred Hobbies will no longer be needed

*All donations will be used for

*legal counsel

*loss of income

The weird thing is I never intended to make Florida my forever home. Never planned to be at NewRed Hobbies more than a year (because Tom said he was selling in a year). So I made it my personal mission to help Tom turn around the shop. Give him someone who never wanted more than what was worked for. I truly enjoy the work, problem-solving. No day is ever the same.

Not long after I began working there, Tom's trust in this stranger who came strolling into his business was put to the test with an almost months-long hospital visit. I was still as green as could be, absolutely clueless , honestly scared I was going to mess it up. Somehow I held it together, and I've taken pride in trying to continue in that mission. No matter how long the boss man needed to rest for, hospital admission after hospital admission, Tom knew I had his back. Tom became so much more than a boss. He was a friend, and he treated me like family. He let me hire my son. Trusted me when I wanted to bring on my sister-in-law. Every step of the way over the last 3½ years, we became like family. I can't count the hospital visits, the pretzel bite runs. I still find visiting badges at my home & workshop. Tom never let us know how bad it was. Unfortunately, knowing what I know now, he never really knew either. Whether he didn't want to know or didn't want to face it alone, he avoided the truth. So, like him, he never knew the damage that was done until it was too late.

I wish things could've gone differently. I wish Tom Hitchcock would've stuck to the plan and left his baby (NewRed Hobbies) in the trustworthy hands of his best friend George Andres or Mason McCombs, but it was left in untrustworthy hands. His cleaning lady and now it is all at risk. I need the community's help. Now more than ever. NewRed Hobbies has been a staple in the RC community for 22 years and the risk of losing what we have is a very real threat. I fell in love with the dream Tom and Mel Hitchcock had. Our customers are my friends and the community we have built is too special to give up on. We will never be able to get back what NewRed Hobbies is if we lose this. It'll be gone forever if we don't fight now. I don't know if we can save it. I don't know if it is possible, but I promise to fight as far as I can go to save NEWRED HOBBIES and Racing facility from destruction. All proceeds will be used to retain legal counsel as a member of Tom Hitchcock's estate in efforts to force the Executor to reopen the doors, and God willing, if we are able to receive enough donations to either purchase NewRed Hobbies outright or enough for a down payment, that's what I plan to do. The property has been assessed at 420k and we have just about 100k in merchandise and equipment. I know the challenge is daunting. But whatever it takes to save my friend's legacy.