Joseph Geeting Memorial
Donation protected
My name is Dean Scarpinato and I am writing on behalf of Sheila Geeting. Sheila is an older lady beyond her working years who rents a farm house from me in Western Illinois. I keep the rent as low as I can, at $600 per month. I also try to be flexible regarding being a few days late here and there while staying out of my tenants business.
Sheila has been a very good tenant for over 3 years. She is also a very nice lady who tries to help people in whatever way she can.
There was a point where things got a bit tough for her and her son Joe stepped in and came to her rescue. It was a pleasure for me to get to know him and it was very clear that Sheila could count on Joe’s support whenever things got a little tough. For my part I had a FB fried who I sometimes talked to on the phone.
We didn’t agree on everything, but we both kept an open mind to each others thoughts and feelings. We did agree on the most important things such as keeping your word, working hard and being good to the people in your life. Actually the truth is Joe kind of put me to shame in all these categories. He was just that good a man.
Joe was killed in July when his truck crashed in Nebraska on July 16. It was a few days later that I heard about it and I was shocked. It was actually hard to believe how deeply I was affected by the tragic death of a man I barely knew. Maybe it is because he was only 43. Maybe because he was such a good person and we can’t afford to lose guys like him. And for sure it is because I know that Sheila is devastated.
The Insurance Company, bless their Heart, is saying that Sheila will not receive any Death Benefit because he was dead of a Heart Attack before he hit the wall. So on top of her grief she is now in a situation where the guy who was always there in her time of need, financially and otherwise, is gone. And his Accidental Death Insurance Company is doing what insurance companies do.
Legally, perhaps they are right. Morally I guess its up to every person to individually choose the world they live in and how we treat widows and orphans in the name of corporate profit. I will refrain at this moment from venting my Spleen on the Insurance Racket. Suffice it to say that “Time Wounds All Heels.”
And in that Spirit no act of charity is wasted. I wish I could say “Sheila, take a couple few months rent free and just get on your feet.”
I’m not in that position. Without going too deep into my tale of woe I’m dipping into savings regularly to stay afloat myself and I need every penny that comes in.
But I know that many hands make light work. I know that I have friends and family who are loving and caring.
We’re not asking for a huge amount. If we could raise $2500 that would be a great blessing. That would be close to 3 months after the expenses involved with GoFundMe. And every penny will go to rent. That will free up any other gifts of bereavement can be used for the other expenses of living.
Certainly I’d love to encourage you to donate $50 or $100. Or $2500. Believe me that would be lovely. BUT $10 would be welcomed with open arms and gratitude.
I’m an artist, basically, which means (along with the fact that I'm not rich in the material sense) that I have friends who might have $2500 in their back pocket and I have friends who would be struggling to part with $10.
All are welcomed and honored. And I’ll thank you personally. Ecclesiastes 11:1 tells us that: “the bread we sow upon the waters of life will return many fold.” That’s Solomon’s (the author of Ecclesiastes) way of saying “Its good karma.”
Sheila is a very kind and humble woman of very limited means. This is a tragedy that no one should have to endure. No one should have to bury their child. And moreover, no one in their golden years should be in such financial straights, compounded by this tremendous grief which only adds to her economic uncertainty.
I'm coming to you personally saying, if this touches your heart, please contribute what you can. I honestly cannot think of a better cause.
Thank You..Dean.
Sheila has been a very good tenant for over 3 years. She is also a very nice lady who tries to help people in whatever way she can.
There was a point where things got a bit tough for her and her son Joe stepped in and came to her rescue. It was a pleasure for me to get to know him and it was very clear that Sheila could count on Joe’s support whenever things got a little tough. For my part I had a FB fried who I sometimes talked to on the phone.
We didn’t agree on everything, but we both kept an open mind to each others thoughts and feelings. We did agree on the most important things such as keeping your word, working hard and being good to the people in your life. Actually the truth is Joe kind of put me to shame in all these categories. He was just that good a man.
Joe was killed in July when his truck crashed in Nebraska on July 16. It was a few days later that I heard about it and I was shocked. It was actually hard to believe how deeply I was affected by the tragic death of a man I barely knew. Maybe it is because he was only 43. Maybe because he was such a good person and we can’t afford to lose guys like him. And for sure it is because I know that Sheila is devastated.
The Insurance Company, bless their Heart, is saying that Sheila will not receive any Death Benefit because he was dead of a Heart Attack before he hit the wall. So on top of her grief she is now in a situation where the guy who was always there in her time of need, financially and otherwise, is gone. And his Accidental Death Insurance Company is doing what insurance companies do.
Legally, perhaps they are right. Morally I guess its up to every person to individually choose the world they live in and how we treat widows and orphans in the name of corporate profit. I will refrain at this moment from venting my Spleen on the Insurance Racket. Suffice it to say that “Time Wounds All Heels.”
And in that Spirit no act of charity is wasted. I wish I could say “Sheila, take a couple few months rent free and just get on your feet.”
I’m not in that position. Without going too deep into my tale of woe I’m dipping into savings regularly to stay afloat myself and I need every penny that comes in.
But I know that many hands make light work. I know that I have friends and family who are loving and caring.
We’re not asking for a huge amount. If we could raise $2500 that would be a great blessing. That would be close to 3 months after the expenses involved with GoFundMe. And every penny will go to rent. That will free up any other gifts of bereavement can be used for the other expenses of living.
Certainly I’d love to encourage you to donate $50 or $100. Or $2500. Believe me that would be lovely. BUT $10 would be welcomed with open arms and gratitude.
I’m an artist, basically, which means (along with the fact that I'm not rich in the material sense) that I have friends who might have $2500 in their back pocket and I have friends who would be struggling to part with $10.
All are welcomed and honored. And I’ll thank you personally. Ecclesiastes 11:1 tells us that: “the bread we sow upon the waters of life will return many fold.” That’s Solomon’s (the author of Ecclesiastes) way of saying “Its good karma.”
Sheila is a very kind and humble woman of very limited means. This is a tragedy that no one should have to endure. No one should have to bury their child. And moreover, no one in their golden years should be in such financial straights, compounded by this tremendous grief which only adds to her economic uncertainty.
I'm coming to you personally saying, if this touches your heart, please contribute what you can. I honestly cannot think of a better cause.
Thank You..Dean.
Organizer
Dean Scarpinato
Organizer
Oak Park, IL
