Help a 91-year old Korean War Vet Robert K stay in his home!

(EXCITING UPDATE: October 5th!!)

A couple of months ago, I launched this GoFundMe campaign, but then got busy with life and I haven't stayed after it.

As of October 5th, you all have donated $2115 towards the $8100 material cost goal. An anonymous charity is stepping up with a $1500 grant pledge to push the total closer to 45%.

After speaking with Bob and his family, he is now embracing the less expensive option of asphalt paving with ADA reflective edges and concrete sidewalks, steps and a wheelchair ramp.

With the inevitable onset of frost and colder weather looming, we need to get this project done soon. We are in touch with two local contractors (asphalt and concrete) to secure an updated materials cost which will reduce the total goal of $8100.

Any GoFundMe contributions at this point will get us closer to getting our Veteran Bob his new driveway...his safety and peace-of-mind knowing he will be able to stay in his home!!

We will disclose the contractor's name(s) after we secure the new donation goal (allowing for the ~2.9% that GoFundMe keeps from the total raised)!!

How cool is that...Bob K and his family are so excited!! Perhaps someone out there can donate some of the materials (i.e. steps, railings?) to get our goal down even more!!

When the cause is legitimate, people are just so awesome and giving!

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Greetings...my name is Mark Finnegan and I run a WI/IL based Veteran Charity called VetsRoll, Inc (https://www.vetsroll.org/).

On rare occasions, we have very special situations arise that are outside the scope of our charity's fundraising. Such is the case of 91-year old Korean Era Air Force Veteran, A1C Robert (Bob) K, of Beloit, WI. Bob was an honored guest on our 2022 trip to Washington.

Bob's family is wanting to keep him in his own home, where he has resided since the 1960's. His wife was called home a few years ago. Bob is generally very healthy for his 91-years, but he is legally blind, while remaining fiercely independent and his balance is becoming a major concern!

Bob has experienced a few recent falls, so his loving family has invested a considerable amount of expense and time in interior upgrades (i.e. a main level bathroom, because the home only had an upstairs bathroom), as well as other upgrades.

The family's major fear is that Bob will fall again while in the ~150' long driveway, that runs from his garage to his mailbox.

They did sealcoat it, but it is very pitted and unlevel and they are anticipating future needs, including ingress/egress for future mobility requirements. They are legitimately concerned that if Bob is on the driveway while wet or in the Wisconsin winter, he could easily lose his balance and fall, requiring hospitalization or assisted living.

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On behalf of Bob's family, we reached out to a VERY reputable local commercial contractor that is willing to do the work, but prefers to remain anonymous, because this is a one-off job to help Bob stay in his home for years to come.

The contract proposal includes complete removal of all existing asphalt, sidewalks and drive apron; full stone prep aggregate and compacting; a new 4" full concrete driveway (nearly 2000sf), a 7" sidewalk, a 7" driveway apron, new curbing, a new concrete riser at the rear of the house; topsoil and landscaping; removal of materials and cleaning of the finished site!

Estimated materials needed (in case someone wants to sponsor or supply):

Concrete 29 Cu Yd

Rebar & Mesh

Misc Wood Forming, Fasteners, Sealer, Etc

1.25” Base Aggregate (20 TN Allowance)

Hauling and dump fees

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The ORIGINAL bid total of $22,285 included a 15% contractor job discount!! Our GoFundMe goal was for $22,950, to roughly offset the GFM 2.9% fee and transaction fees.

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NOTE: As of Friday, we now have a local cement contractor donating 100% of the labor costs if we can raise the $8100 to cover the materials and dump fees!!

We can do this for Bob K!!

We will cap the fundraising as soon as it reaches the $8,100 goal, because there is no additional ask...we just want to keep Bob in his home as long as his health permits.

Can you play a role in helping our 91-year old Veteran? Maybe it's our turn to pay it forward to one who served for us!