Internet, meet Tom!

I met this man after knocking on his door and asking if he had anything to drink.

Without hesitation, he went inside and brought me a Dr. Pepper.

What I didn’t know at the time was that this same man had spent years serving his community as a firefighter.

He told me he injured his shoulder in the line of duty while helping pull someone from a serious car accident. He shared that the driver tragically passed away, but his team was able to save the passenger.

Since then, life has become incredibly difficult for him and his family.

He says his shoulder surgery and injury support were denied, and he has had to pay out of pocket while continuing to fight for his pension and the support he believes he deserves. Because of the injury and everything that followed, he has not been able to work the way he once did.

The hardest part is what this has done to his family.

He is a father of five. He shared that they had to sell their house, and that he feels like he has missed so much time with his children because of everything they have been going through.

Even after all of this, when I gave him a little money, his first response was that he would pay it forward.

That showed me exactly who he is.

This is a man who spent his life helping others. He helped a stranger at his door. He served his city. He helped save someone’s life. And even while struggling, he still wants to help someone else.

Now it is our turn to help him and his family.

The money raised will go toward helping him and his family with basic needs, housing stability, groceries, bills, medical-related expenses, transportation, and giving his children more security while he continues fighting to rebuild his life.

Every donation, no matter the size, helps.

If you cannot donate, please consider sharing this. Sometimes sharing is what reaches the person who can help.

Let’s come together for a man who fought for others when they needed him.

Now let’s fight for him.