Hey yall, my name is Chance.

I’m creating this GoFundMe for someone named Ron, a man I met at the gym about a month ago. Ron does not know I’m doing this, and he has never asked for help. I simply believe he deserves it.

Ron is 58 years old and has worked hard his entire life. He was a dedicated bodybuilder for decades, drove big rigs for 18 years, worked in engineering construction testing soils for major infrastructure projects, and has taken on physically demanding work for most of his life. He believes strongly in earning what he has and has never been one to look for handouts.

In May of 2024, Ron’s health took a serious turn. His last day of work was May 31st. Since then, he has been trying to get a hip replacement through Parkland Hospital. Ron does not have insurance and was only able to enter a free medical program after multiple emergency room visits. He has now been waiting nearly a full year for this surgery and is expected to finally receive it sometime in January or February.

During this long wait, I just learned Ron has been homeless and living outside of the gym (gym members paid his membership for 5 months so he could use the facilities/showers).

For the past year, he has been living in his car and staying wherever he can. He has no permanent place to live, no income, and no safe or stable environment to recover in after surgery. Once his hip replacement is completed, Ron will be unable to work for 3–4 months, making recovery even more difficult without support.

What makes Ron truly special is his heart.

Despite living in his car, Ron still goes to church. He still believes in helping others. Just recently, he helped another man make 100 sandwiches and personally handed them out to people experiencing homelessness in Dallas — all while he himself was homeless. Ron always has a big smile and is willing to help anyone, regardless of his own situation.

Earlier in his life, Ron also spent two months overseas assisting groups that combat child trafficking — an experience that left a lasting impact on who he is today.

Ron has shared that he doesn’t want a handout — he wants a hand up. He fully intends to work again as soon as his body allows. Right now, though, he physically cannot.

This GoFundMe is being created to help Ron:

• Secure temporary housing or a safe place to recover after surgery

• Cover basic living expenses during recovery

• Afford food, gas, and necessities

• Focus on healing without the fear of having nowhere to go

I’m hoping to raise support before the holidays, so Ron doesn’t have to face surgery, recovery, and homelessness alone during this season.

Sometimes the strongest, kindest people are the ones who never ask for help. If you feel led to give or share, please know it will go toward helping a man who has never stopped believing in others — even when life has been incredibly hard on him.

Thank you for reading, sharing, and caring