MS/Heart Patient Housing Repair

On behalf of my friend and former classmate, Danny Lee Ingram, this account was originally set up to help provide him with housing on his property and help get him back on his feet. The previous funds collected were used to purchase and pay the taxes and delivery charges on a newer and larger replacement camper for Danny. This camper has been delivered to his property and set up, and Danny is currently living in it.  These funds have also been used to purchase a washer/dryer and install a propane gas tank. 

As of February, 2015, the funds have been depleted. However, we have discovered that the roof of the camper leaks, and major damage has been done as a result. Additional funds are needed to repair the leaky roof, walls and flooring inside the camper damaged by the roof leaks. We also need funds to complete the installation of the washer/dryer, and build a porch and  handicap ramp once the roof is fixed.  So, we are seeking an additional $5,000 that we hope will cover the remaining expenditures.

Many people have already donated their time, money, gift cards, clothes, household items, and food for Danny, and for all these things, we are very grateful.  But this need is URGENT, so any help will be very much appreciated. 

All online donations will go through my WePay account then directly deposited into a special non-profit, tax sheltered bank account at Georgia Bank and Trust in Calhoun, GA. Donations may also be made to this bank account by mailing me a check to 130 Grist Mill Lane SE, Calhoun, GA 30701.  Your prompt donations would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Rev. Steve Skates

The following is Danny's story in his own words: 

"I am not used to asking for help, but now I have little choice. I've tried very hard to make it on my own. Five years ago, the little cabin I spent three years building burned completely to the ground. It almost killed me and did kill my three pets, including my dog that saved my life by barking and letting me know about the flames. I made it out, burning debris falling on my back, throwing a pair of pants and boots out the door. I went back in, trying to save my pets, but I couldn't find them because of the black smoke. I didn't even have a shirt.

I have Multiple Sclerosis and eight heart stents and other medical problems. I still live alone by a national forest, living in an old camper in which I've had five fires recently, four electrical and one propane, but I was lucky to put them out. I can no longer trust this old camper, so I spend most of my time outside or in my little truck. 

God or the universe or something has kept me around for some reason. Even after the first spinal tap confirmed my M.S., I tried to keep going, teaching college English part-time for many years, as my health became worse. I wanted and still want to give back to the world and to its people all this knowledge that I accumulated through years of study and practical use of the English language. I even wrote a Pulitzer Contender book and earned many other awards (for very little or no money), but my condition slowly gets worse. I no longer teach but still attempt to write. Toward the end, I fell over desks in class and even in the parking lot. I also had to leave in the middle of class for the Emergency Room for more heart stents. It's no surprise to me when I break bones or tendons or cut gashes in me when I fall. I just wait until I can get up and then carry on. There is no one to pamper me in these woods.

I must hang on to this little piece of dirt because I fought so hard to keep it from bad neighbors and bad people through my twenty years back here, even receiving direct threats to my life and safety, but the bad ones are all gone now. If I give up my little place, to me it would be giving up on life, so I try to hang on. I just want to live in peace, but I don't think I can make it through the winter with my current situation. I ask for a little help, but if you can't, please say a little prayer for me or send some positive thoughts my way. Thank you."

Danny Lee Ingram