Friday the 13th: Connor's Dream Sunk

Allison Perry is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Connor Nelson.

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As a mom, it’s heartbreaking to watch my daughter’s friend face such an overwhelming challenge. On September 6th, he made what he thought was the best decision of his life—purchasing a beautiful 1968 44-foot Hatteras boat in Fort Pierce, Florida. This boat wasn’t just a vessel; it was a lovingly restored classic, his dream home, and his ticket to a simpler life as he pursued work in Key West. My daughter was right there with him, sharing in the excitement of this new adventure.

After an exhilarating three-day journey south, they arrived at Ramrod Key on September 8th. For four blissful days, he reveled in the joy of his new floating home, imagining the life he could build. But then, on Friday the 13th, everything changed. He went to work, only to come home to an unimaginable nightmare—his beloved boat had sunk to the bottom of the harbor.

The devastation was overwhelming. His dream, his home, and everything he owned were submerged. The very next day, with the help of a salvage team, they managed to bring the boat back to the surface, only to discover the cause of this tragedy: a pipe had burst in a storage room, sinking the vessel—a freak accident no one could have predicted.

Since then, he has fought tirelessly to restore his home. He’s already spent $15,000 just to get the boat floating again, but he’s run out of funds, and the boat is still far from livable. His personal belongings are gone, and every day feels like another step further from reclaiming the dream he worked so hard for.

This boat represents so much more than just a means of transport; it’s a sanctuary where he was building his future. As a community, I’m asking for your help. He’s exhausted all his resources and desperately needs support to make his boat livable and functional again.

Any donation, no matter the size, will bring him one step closer to rebuilding his home and restoring a piece of history—a classic 1968 Hatteras that deserves to sail once more.

Thank you for considering supporting this incredible young man during such a challenging time. Your generosity can help him find his way back to his dreams.