Help Robert Recover From Stroke

My name is Kenneth Warren and I need your help.


I am not asking for myself. I am asking for my grandfather, Robert Crump Sr., whom I call "Poppi". 


In less than two months, he and his family are facing homelessness, hunger, and insurmountable medical bills; we need your help to prevent this from happening. 


On May 20th my family got a call in the late hours of the night, no-one wants to get… Poppi was rushed to the hospital with limited body function, loss of speech, and confusion about who and where he was.


He was moved from the ER to ICU (intensive care unit) where he spent a week with a stroke caused by a heart condition we didn't even know he had. 


He has lost the ability to communicate effectively, his physical strength has declined significantly, and as if that isn’t enough - we discovered that he has a life-threatening brain aneurysm. 


To make matters worse, he was the sole income earner for his family, which included his wife (pictured) and his mentally disabled son, Robert, who lives fulltime with them. 


Doctors are unable to predict if he will be able to fully recover; and his inability to work means their only means of revenue is social security which doesn't pay enough for rent and food for the three. 


In spite of their requests for rent concession given this hardship, Platinum Property Management has not given a response to the request yet, but they did say it is unlikely and their rent will probably increase. They have no way to continue to pay to live in the home they have lived in for the last 8 years.


In two months, they will be evicted from their home and they have nowhere to go. 


The money you will donate will support their housing, food costs, and medical expenses as they are facing homelessness. 


I do not know what to do. Poppi needs more help than I can give. One example are his monthly prescription charges. They are upwards of $600+ for medications alone needed to prevent future strokes…. and I’m a broke college kid, I can't do this by myself. 


Asking a community of strangers to be sympathetic to this aches my soul; my family and I have never been ones to ask outsiders for help and have always had the attitude of working hard and smart will always reap the necessary and desired rewards. But, we do not see a viable alternative. 


Here's what I do know -- I can tell you about the man whom I call Poppi. 




He grew up in a home with an abusive, alcoholic father and made a determination at a very young age that he was going to face the demons that haunted his family for generations and give future generations a new standard to follow. 


He has done that and so much more.


At a young age, he was the first in his state to become a master electrician, but felt a calling to help people.


He and his wife switched to ministry and became traveling ministers. They traveled the country in an RV equipped with circus sized tents. In these tents, they would go into communities who needed ministry the most. Without hyperbole, there were thousands, sometimes even tens of thousands lives who would go into those tents and stadiums for a message of hope. To Poppi, the prospect of danger never prevented him from doing what he believed to be right. In the 1950s and 1960s he would preach to rural communities in the south, many who attended were non-whites in an era of segregation. One night prior to his service, members from the KKK told him that he would be killed if he ministered that Sunday morning. That morning he gave his sermon to that black community. 


His life has been defined by working in humanitarian efforts. He has built homes and churches for those less fortunate, touched countless lives during his time in ministry, and now mentors many young people in his role as general manager at Chick a Filet.


This exemplifies who he has been his whole life. A person who helps anyone in need regardless of their status, skin color, gender, or ability. All without asking for anything in return.



Poppi has had a tremendous impact on my life as well. 


My parents divorced when I was really young and for the entirety of my life, I have looked to him for direction, guidance, and many times I've looked to him as my sole male role model. 


When my mom left my dad, we were broke and had lost our home. When I too faced homelessness and hunger, Poppi took us in so we could get back on our feet.


I know the success we have been able to achieve since is because he gave us a roof, but more than that, he gave us a safe haven. It was in this haven where I learned how to forgive, how to love (he’s been married for over 57 years), be kind to your neighbors and your enemies alike, how to control emotions, how to harness and grow inner confidence, how to protect myself and those I love, and he gave me a rubric for what it really means to become and be a man. 


He also taught me how to put a worm on a hook. I will always treasure the days where Poppi and I would go out to fish. I’ve had some of the best memories of my life by just sitting and talking with this man, drinking root beer floats. 


I can’t sleep at night now because I’m afraid I will never get those again. 


Poppi gave us more than shelter. He gave us a home to grow in love, confidence, and more than anything….he believed in me when few did. My ability to become the person I am today is in large part influenced by him. 


My mom and siblings dropped everything when we got that call on May 20th and are with him now, trying to help manage doctors appointments, finding a place to live, cooking, cleaning…. anything we can do to help make this better for him, my grandmother (Gigi), and son. My family and I would do anything to see him have the chance to heal and come back to us.


I wish that was enough. He needs more than I can give. 


If you only have a dollar to give - you can give it knowing you are making a difference. Every dollar is going to make his life better. Even if you don’t have a dollar to your name, spread this out on your social media or verbally — even if you can’t give, maybe someone you know can. 


If you have questions regarding where this money will be spent or anything else, I would be happy to speak with you. Please email me at [email redacted] and I will schedule a time to speak with you. 


Thank you for your support. 


Sincerely, 

Kenneth