A Request For Help From Bret L
Donation protected
Since the death of my wife in 2007, I committed to raising our two children, ages 5 and 8 at the time, to the very best of my ability. I was employed in the field of advertising and made a decent living; able to provide a few extras for my son and daughter. Shortly after my wife’s transition, we moved from a rural community in Pennsylvania to an urban community in New York City to be closer to my job and the assistance of family.
After a challenging start, my children adjusted, made friends, and did well in school. Ben played Little League for years, and high school basketball. Nina found comfort in a neighborhood children’s theater where she continues to perform.
All was going reasonably well until 2015 when I lost my job due to downsizing. I found other employment in my area and found that these companies were also going through personnel changes or had freezes on new hires. Intermittent employment as a consultant paid the bills for a while before I was forced to tap into savings. At this point all of my financial resources have been drained, including family resources.
Although somewhat discouraged, I am not broken and have come to the realization that I may have aged out of the advertising market and must adjust my expectations and reinvent myself as I continue to seek and welcome steady employment.
Presently, my son is finishing up his first year at a New York state college. He is enrolled in the ROTC program and looks forward to a career in the United States military. He has been accepted at Arizona State as a transfer student where the ROTC and academic program is better suited for his career goals.
My daughter, who has been with her theatre company for eight years and says she would like a career in musical theatre, has been awarded a summer camp scholarship at the Interlochen Arts Academy in Interlochen, Michigan. http://www.interlochen.org
Unfortunately, my current financial situation will not allow either of these opportunities to be taken advantage of. We simply cannot afford air transportation and tuition costs for my son, or transportation and associated costs to Michigan, and the purchase of camp uniforms which my daughter must have. I might add that both of my children are A students, achieved with lots of hard work and hard times; and I deeply regret I am unable to finance these opportunities which are so well deserved.
In the meanwhile, I am placing my faith in the goodness of people and their desire to help others. I have been on the giving end of Go Fund Me requests several times, and now find myself in need. Please help us through this rough patch. We are grateful and thank you for any amount you can donate.
Would also appreciate your sharing this appeal with your network. I will by happy to respond to any questions or supply additional information.
After a challenging start, my children adjusted, made friends, and did well in school. Ben played Little League for years, and high school basketball. Nina found comfort in a neighborhood children’s theater where she continues to perform.
All was going reasonably well until 2015 when I lost my job due to downsizing. I found other employment in my area and found that these companies were also going through personnel changes or had freezes on new hires. Intermittent employment as a consultant paid the bills for a while before I was forced to tap into savings. At this point all of my financial resources have been drained, including family resources.
Although somewhat discouraged, I am not broken and have come to the realization that I may have aged out of the advertising market and must adjust my expectations and reinvent myself as I continue to seek and welcome steady employment.
Presently, my son is finishing up his first year at a New York state college. He is enrolled in the ROTC program and looks forward to a career in the United States military. He has been accepted at Arizona State as a transfer student where the ROTC and academic program is better suited for his career goals.
My daughter, who has been with her theatre company for eight years and says she would like a career in musical theatre, has been awarded a summer camp scholarship at the Interlochen Arts Academy in Interlochen, Michigan. http://www.interlochen.org
Unfortunately, my current financial situation will not allow either of these opportunities to be taken advantage of. We simply cannot afford air transportation and tuition costs for my son, or transportation and associated costs to Michigan, and the purchase of camp uniforms which my daughter must have. I might add that both of my children are A students, achieved with lots of hard work and hard times; and I deeply regret I am unable to finance these opportunities which are so well deserved.
In the meanwhile, I am placing my faith in the goodness of people and their desire to help others. I have been on the giving end of Go Fund Me requests several times, and now find myself in need. Please help us through this rough patch. We are grateful and thank you for any amount you can donate.
Would also appreciate your sharing this appeal with your network. I will by happy to respond to any questions or supply additional information.
Organizer
Bret Leonard
Organizer
New York, NY