Alan Ash Head-On Collision Recovery Fund
Donation protected
On Friday, October 28, 2022 my 70-year-old dad, Alan Ash, was a victim of a high-speed, head-on collision just outside of Deming, New Mexico. He is my hero and my rock and I am beyond grateful that he survived. Due to his injuries, he is facing an indeterminate amount of time off of work from his beloved profession as a Stonemason.
Dad lives and works on the road, so this devastating event - which totaled both his truck and travel trailer - has also left him homeless and 1600 miles from home base in Oregon.
As we have been navigating the challenges of this tragic situation, it has become apparent that his immediate need is financial support.
The financial impacts of losing both vehicles is especially difficult. Dad had just put a brand-new, factory-remanufactured, 12-valve Cummins engine into his ‘98 Dodge Ram 4x4 flatbed. He also recently bought a new-to-him 2018 Jayco Jay Flight Baja Edition travel trailer. This was his first extended trip after both of these upgrades.
Dad is largely self-employed and I have created this fundraiser to help provide him with financial stability that he needs to heal, regain his independence and resume his passion and livelihood as a Stonemason.
Donations will be used towards these needs:
- A roof over his head to physically and emotionally recover. This may include temporary shelter and/or travel arrangements to be closer to family who can provide care and support. The ultimate goal is to eventually replace his travel trailer to ensure he has permanent shelter.
- Time away from work to heal physically and emotionally, and to ensure all medical needs are accessible to him.
- A vehicle - replacing his truck with one that is capable of carrying his work tools and hauling a travel trailer is the ultimate goal. In the meantime he will need some form of transportation.
- Storage for his salvageable personal effects and undamaged work tools.
- Replacing his damaged personal effects.
More About Alan Ash, Stonemason
What makes my dad vibrant is his passion as a Stonemason. Over the last 40 years, he has become a well-respected expert and teacher in the historical restoration and preservation of stonework. He is passionate about passing his knowledge of this dying art form on to younger generations to preserve our nation’s indigenous and modern stonework with historical accuracy. If you have been to Joshua Tree National Park, Shenandoah National Park, Lassen National Monument, Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge or Saguaro National Park you may have unknowingly seen his work and influence. He has worked on over 100 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, within 15 Oregon State parks, at US Fish and Wildlife Service locations, on BLM historical properties and more - this list is just the tip of the iceberg. On private properties in Virginia’s Western Highlands and in Western Oregon, Dad has built hundreds of rock walls, dozens of stone chimneys and many pieces of stone art.
Dad’s lifestyle is intensely physically active. In late 2021, one job required a daily 5-mile hike into the job site and the same hike out again at the end of a physically demanding workday. He is an incredible gardener and a lifelong musician. He is also the biggest nature lover - he regularly sends me sunset photos from incredibly remote areas.
Most importantly to me, he is the very best dad and grandpa that anyone could ask for.
I would be so thankful for any amount of money that you can donate, for sharing this fundraiser with others and also for any positive energy you can send dad’s way.
With gratitude,
Hollie Ash
Organizer
Hollie Ash
Organizer
Portland, OR