My name is Dwight Keegan.  I was a Washington State Park Ranger for 43 years.  I have known Arnold for many years, we met in training, meetings, and he has visited me in my park.  It is surprising that homelessness can strike one of our family of Rangers.  I want to share his story with you.


It was the sound of two men arguing in the night that got his attention.  Arnold listened intently, as the voices grew louder a woman joined in.  The voices turned into screams as the three began hitting and kicking one another.  Quickly a firearm is displayed and now one man is beaten severely.  The police arrive sometime later but by then the combatants are gone.


This was just another threat Arnold and Carol Hampton endure as they try to sleep in a rest area along I-5.  They have been sleeping in their Ford Fiesta hatchback, off and on since Arnold lost his job in 2018.  They now spend many sleepless nights cramped in their small car where they have endured noise, interruption and crime.  Briefly they camped in a RV on friends’ property but that ended when moving to another camping spot the motorhome broke down and they were unable to pay for a tow.  Now it’s full time at a rest stop with sorties to local box stores, for a chance to use an accessible restroom.  And of course, Carols routine medical visits.

 
Arnold Hampton is a Washington State Park Ranger who was forced to leave his life’s work to care for his ailing wife.  Through no fault of his own. other his caring nature, and his wife’s overwhelming medical issues. Arnold has found himself homeless, living with his wife Carol, in a compact car.  He has spent his resources and has very few options.  They have approached social health services and have been told that either they don’t qualify for aid or they have been placed on waiting lists that may take years to resolve.

 

When I spoke with him, he asked for little, maybe some money to help with laundry, perhaps enough money to stay a couple of nights in a motel so they could shower and his wife could stretch out.  He even asks that maybe we could help with some bills.

 

I think we can do more and here is where I need your help.  The non-profit Washington State Parks Ranger’s Association is willing to back a fund-raising effort.  It is our desire to raise five thousand dollars that will help the Hampton’s cover the deposit and a few months’ rent in a simple apartment.  The response from friends has been great and will help. yet now we need to secure the kind of money that can get them shelter through the coming autumn and winter.

 

I am a story teller, my job is to tell Arnold’s story.  I and the Park Rangers I represent need your help.  We are just a handful of Washington’s citizens who love parks and respect the work done by agency staff.  Please don’t let the Hamptons continue to live in their car.  Please help by sharing their story.  If you simply help us get this message into the hands of as many people as possible our work will be multiplied.  Then if you could help them with just a few dollars we could be able to collect the money necessary to reach our goal of finding them a small apartment.

 
Thank You
Dwight Keegan

Please see this recent article about their situation

https://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article243933527.html