Dear friends, neighbors, and kind strangers,

My name is John. I am a U.S. Army veteran who served in the early 1970s, a widower, and someone who has spent my entire life believing in hard work and helping others. Today, I find myself in a position I never expected: I need to ask for your help.

I am trying to raise $8,500 to urgently replace my roof before the upcoming winter weather causes irreversible damage to the interior of my home.

Over the last few years, successive storms have heavily damaged my roof. The current shingles are layered over an old cedar shake roof.

Water has breached the layers. As you can see in the photos, the entire roof must be torn off down to the framing to replace rotting rafters and install new decking. While I have tried to patch it myself, heavy rainstorms are now causing severe interior damage—including the water stains and ceiling damage shown in my pictures—that I can no longer keep up with.

I was raised on a farm and taught to fix things myself. For decades, I did all my own carpentry, plumbing, and roof work—and I always showed up to fix cars or houses for my neighbors without expecting a dime in return.

But life catches up to us all. Six years ago, I fell from a ladder while working on the house, severely injuring my leg. Today, I am facing upcoming hip and knee replacements. I still manage to push through the pain to mow my own lawn, but climbing onto a roof is physically impossible for me now.

I live entirely on a fixed monthly Social Security check. It covers my basic bills, but it leaves absolutely zero room for a major crisis like a $8,500 structural repair.

Every single dollar raised will go directly toward the materials and professional labor required to make my home safe and dry again. This includes having to remove the old asphalt and cedar layers and replacing the rotted wood rafters and roof decking. Afterwards lay down proper weather barriers and new, storm-resistant shingles.

If any local businesses or suppliers would prefer to donate the building materials directly (plywood, decking, or shingles) rather than a financial contribution, please use the contact button on this page to reach me privately.

If you are able to contribute—even just $5 or $10—it would truly mean the world to me. If you cannot donate, please hit the "Share" button.

Sharing this page with your friends, family, or veterans' networks helps more than you know.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your time, your kindness, and your support.

God bless,

John