Bill & Arlyss - Let's Give Back

I started this campaign to help give back to two of the most amazing and deserving people I have ever known.

For those of you who know my grandparents, Bill & Arlyss Sampson, I'm sure you agree that they are two of the most self-less, compassionate, and loving people you have ever came across. But for you that haven't had the privilege of them gracing your lives, I want to tell you a little about them, and the struggles they've endured in recent months.

On April 23rd, Bill and Arlyss celebrated 62 years of marriage surrounded by their family at one of their favorite restaurants. In all the years leading up to that, they've been devoting their lives and love to others.  Arlyss worked in the public school system in Fergus Falls for 47 years, as a librarian, para-educator, and helped in the high school cafeteria up until she finally thought it was time to retire last December, at the age of 83.  The kids are her greatest joy in life.  Bill had an incredibly rewarding career as a member of the touring Dallas Boys Choir; the owner of a popular shoe store until it was too much to handle with four young children; a radio personality for 40 years; and finished off with over a decade of hard work at the local Fleet Farm... in the shoe department, which he knew so well.  He also finally retired a couple years ago, also in his 80's.

Both are dedicated members of First Lutheran church in Fergus Falls, and both sang in the church choir up until their health prevented them from being able to keep it up each week.

Both Arlyss and Bill have battled with their health for many years.  Bill has had multiple open heart surgeries, stemming from heart problems that started at age 6. And a nasty fall off his back steps last winter, causing him to lose 40 lbs and 3 inches in height.  Arlyss also had to have heart surgery and was diagnosed with diabetes late in life.  A diagnosis which some doctors say may have been caused from the stress of losing a grandson to brain cancer.  

But our family has really felt it hard in this last month.  Bill was hospitalized with congestive heart failure two days after their anniversary. Their kids and grandkids came from all over to be with him in a time which we thought could be our last.  But his faith and the love around him helped him pull through, and he is back at home with his beloved pets again.  And just this past weekend, Arlyss was hospitalized and rushed up to Sanford in Fargo with near kidney failure, almost needing dialysis. But once again their faith and the love around them, with the incredible help of the medical staff, helped her pull through, and I was able to drive her back home on Tuesday.

Of course health issues are a certain with people their age, and medical expenses are always going to be a burden. But now I get to the reason I'm asking for your help.

A week before Arlyss was hospitalized she got a call from one of her grand daughters. She said she had been in a car accident and and got a DUI and was in jail and needed money.  Arlyss said, "Well honey that doesn't sound like you." And the response was, "Well grandma I was in an accident and broke my nose." Arlyss couldn't tell anyone else in the family and was given a phone number to talk to her lawyer, and a routing number to wire the money...  She was the victim of a scam.  These people that called prey on the elderly in their most vulnerable moments.  They knew her great-granddaughters names, where her granddaughter's husband worked, and exactly how to pull on Arlyss' heart strings.  And Arlyss, being the self-less grandmother that she is, took out almost 3000 dollars, nearly emptying their savings and wired it, which police said was probably immediately out of the country.

I'm certain the stress and embarassment was some cause to her rapid decline in health. But she holds her head high and believes that everything happens for a reason, and that God has a plan for them.

If you know Bill and Arlyss, you know that with their pride and stubborness, : )  they never wish to accept help from others. They even tried to give me money for the lunch I bought us yesterday when I brought grandma home.  This campaign is to give back to two people that have given their love and support to SO MANY in their years.  I hope to raise money to help with their medication expenses (which is about the cost of a mortgage each month), to get them nursing services at their home; have hand rails installed in their house so Arlyss has no more falls; and to replenish their savings a bit so they can enjoy life and still afford to spoil their great grandkids. : )

I know all of you have people in your lives who mean the world, and you would do anything for. If you have the means, your help and prayers would mean the world to Arlyss and Bill, and the rest of our family and all of their friends.

Thank you for taking the time to read their story,

Sincerely,  

Adam,  Arlyss and Bill's grandson