I'm writing two books based on the viral video of being called poor because of hospitalization, so I went into the mountains and brought back down snow to surprise my kids. The first book will be a kids' book from the perspective of my kids praying for snow and their prayers being answered. The second book will be an autobiography. This fund is for all the expenses that go with self-publishing. I'm unbelievably grateful for all the kindness and beyond words at awe at the amount of support sent my way. Here is the first chapter:

The Poor Man’s Blizzard

By Andrey Borul

Based on a True Story

Chapter 1

Red eyes staring down at me. Shivers race down my spine. I grip the shovel tighter, peering into the distance. Moonlight pierces the dark void. Fresh snow crunches under my feet—betraying me as a fraud. A coward, a poor man.

Thinking of my kids, sound asleep. Cozy. Not knowing their dad slipped out into the night, high in the mountains on some half-baked plan, fueled by sheer spite and determination. To prove someone wrong. To bring snow—since we can’t afford the trip, I decided to surprise them by hauling down a literal ton so they’d have something to play with come morning.

My wife, awake. Afraid to sleep alone for the first time since we got married just a few short years ago.

I’m not stopping. I must not stop.

First shovel. Second. Third shovel.

The red eyes keep watching. I keep praying. They don’t stop. I don’t stop.

A standoff. Me versus the snow, the wild.

I’m a father. I don’t give up.

I never give up.