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Craig's Assistance Fund

As an Insurance Agent, I haven't really liked GOFundMe. After seeing that about 57% of requests are for funeral expenses,  It really put a sour taste in my mouth. The whole premise is to use risk pooling, which is when you spread the cost out over a lot of people, it makes it so that a lot of people giving a little bit really adds up. Good idea, but for my business, it is already done on a massive scale and I think some people are irresponsible not using the risk pooling already in place.
However, after reading Craig's Post (Which I have included), I realized that in this case GoFundMe is a good thing for this instance. I've never met Craig or Melanie, I don't know them from Adam's housecat, but from the posts I have seen, I would say they are "Good people".
I am the last person that wants this group to become a group filled with people asking for monetary help, but I think in this instance (If the admins consent) maybe we could help.
After watching my father go through this, the insurance covers alot, but what is left is being out of work and nothing coming in. They have been through this several times, and maybe this time we as a group could make it a little easier for them. Or not.
As this is my first time using GoFundMe, I put a goal of 5k. Thats like 5.00 per person. All the money collected will go to Craig and Melanie directly, I won't be involved in that end.  I know times are hard all over, I know that  for whatever reason you might not want to or can give. That's ok. Prayers are needed too. However, if you do give, know that it would help and will be greatly appreciated.

In Craig's own words:
Our Journey all started back in 2004.. I was a O/O at the time, and i was on top of the world.. Had a extremely successful business at the time and I came down with a cold. No big deal, I kept pushing and pushing. Well eventually it led into pneumonia.. And me being me, I didn't head the warning and I had a massive heart attack.

After being admitted to the hospital, and then transferred to another hospital to the Cardiac Ward, Melanie and I then realized I was in trouble.

After many tests I was sent for a heart cath and thats when they realized I needed stints.. to this date I now have 8 in total.

After a lengthy stay, I was discharged and then that is where the nightmare started. I was trying to work with my finance company to keep my business up and running, but to no avail. They would not work with me. My back up funds was exhausted. I tried for a loan to pay my truck off and still no go.

After many nights of talking and worrying Melanie and I made the decision to let the truck go back.

After I was released to return to work. I called Smith Transport in 2005 and they said..yes..yes.. we want you back. So I went back to them like I never left. Full seniority like I never left. I refused to give up.

In 2006 Melanie was in a terrible car accident and was life flighted. I was in Florida at the time, and when I got the call, I headed empty to our terminal in GA and then straight to PA.
After several tests, and consultations. We where informed she had swelling on the brain and needed a operation called, Cranial Decompression. Laymen terms, brain surgery. To date she has had 4 of them. I felt like my world was falling apart. I trusted in the lord after my heart attack. And I felt he had let me down. I asked him, Why me ? Why me ?

I then made the decision to come off the road. I spoke with my company and they created a job for me internal. I then became a service writer in our main shop and also worked with our break down dept. I flipped my schedule around. I worked nights, and then drove to Pittsburgh to be with Melanie
Again, I refused to give up..

Being in the office was a new experience for me. I furthered my education, I signed up for a 100 hr course to become a trainer and instructor once I was able to come back on on the road. If I was ever able to do it. I then signed up for a 60 hr course for Wreck Master on accident recovery and how to secure trucks and or trailers for transport after accidents. OK that was out of the way. This was all during her stay in Pittsburgh. Again i refused to give up...

I would set by Melanie's bed side and feed her, and held her hand and cried when she cried. When she was finally released, we made the journey home.

In all total, I was off the road for roughly 5 years between traveling back and forth working nights and taking care of her at home.

As some know, she not long ago had a brain stem surgery to release pressure on her spinal column and brain stem. She recovered like a champ. We both refused to give up.

I went back on the road taking a dedicated, that way I can be home often and take care of her.

And now, as you all know.. I am now facing open heart surgery on 12/11/2017.. I had to have a heart cath done because my dr found a shadow in my stress test results.. Well the shadow, turned out to be a more serious problem that we all never in this world would have ever expected..

But with our love towards each other, and our drive to never give up.. we will come out on top.. God Willing..
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Donations 

  • Donna Pietri
    • $50 
    • 6 yrs
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Organizer and beneficiary

Jam Bonn
Organizer
Oswichee, AL
Craig Grubb
Beneficiary

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