I never imagined I would ask for help on here, but my wife Lydia, our 3 dogs, and our 12 cats are depending on me. A few years ago, I started an online business that ultimately failed, leaving me with significant debt and tax obligations. For the past 3 years, I have worked hard to recover financially—taking on as much overtime as possible, applying for better-paying jobs, managing lawsuits, and entering Chapter 13 bankruptcy to repay what I owe.

At the beginning of April, things finally seemed to be turning around. I had paid all of our bills and was even able to catch up on my overdue vehicle registration. I truly felt good. Just two weeks later, everything changed. Members of our union voted to reject the company’s contract offer and go on strike. Suddenly, my income stopped. To make matters worse, the state intercepted my tax refund even though I am making payments through my bankruptcy plan. After 6+ weeks without a paycheck, our savings are gone, my bank account is overdrawn, and we are struggling to cover basic necessities. We’ve had to cut back on everything possible. My wife and I are actively applying for jobs, selling personal belongings, and doing everything we can to stay afloat, with no end in sight for the strike.

Asking for help is definitely not something I like to do. I’ve always believed in working through challenges on my own. But with a wife and 15 fur babies, I’ve decided to swallow my pride and ask for help. The funds raised will help us keep our utilities on, care for our babies, and cover essential household expenses until we catch a break. Any additional support will help us get caught up on our mortgage, bankruptcy payments, and medical bill payments. Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for any support you can provide. We are deeply grateful for your kindness and generosity.