My name is Pat Kelly, and I’m organizing this fundraiser for my friend Steve.

I’m part of a ministry called Moment with Papa, and I’m connected with Destiny Community Church, here in Lexington, Kentucky. My heart has always been to help people—not just talk about it, but actually step into it.

I met Steve a few years ago in a moment I’ll never forget.

I had just come out of Sunday school, and it started raining. I saw a man in the parking lot struggling to change a tire. In that moment, I felt clearly in my spirit:

“Worship isn’t going to help that man right now—go help him.”

So instead of going inside, I went out in the rain and helped him.

That man was Steve.

What started as helping him change a tire turned into a real friendship over the years.

Steve isn’t just “someone in need” to me—he’s been in my home, watching boxing fights with us. He’s been part of our gym community. We’ve even allowed him to park his van at our previous location and helped care for his cats there.

Our church community has embraced him as well, and he’s become part of our extended family.

Right now, Steve is at a point where he can no longer keep living the way he has been.

His van—his only shelter—has broken down beyond repair, and at his age, continuing to live like this is no longer sustainable.

The goal of this fundraiser is to help Steve:

Get a reliable vehicle

Secure stable housing (an apartment)

Cover initial costs like deposits, registration, and basic necessities

This isn’t just about getting by anymore.

It’s about helping him step into stability, safety, and dignity.

Steve is one of the most unique and selfless people I’ve ever met.

He’s what some people might call eccentric—but once you get to know him, you realize something deeper:

He has a heart that refuses to stop giving, no matter what he’s going through.

Even while living out of his van, Steve made it part of his daily life to take care of others—especially the ones most people overlook.

Every night, he would go out and feed feral cats around the city.

Not because anyone asked him to.

Not because anyone was watching.

But because he cares.

One of those cats was named Whoopie.

Whoopie had a broken spine. Most people would have walked away.

Steve didn’t.

He learned how to care for him, stayed committed for months, and did everything he could to give that cat dignity and a chance at life.

That’s who Steve is.

Right now, Steve doesn’t even have a working vehicle.

His van—his home—is broken down beyond repair.

But he still hasn’t stopped.

He gets on a bus…

Carries bags of cat food…

Rides across town…

Gets off and walks to where the cats are… feeds them…

And then makes the entire trip back.

At his age… in his situation… he’s still choosing to show up for something else.

When Steve first came to me, he wasn’t asking for a handout.

He asked if he could borrow $500 for a down payment and said he would pay the rest himself at $44 a month out of his Social Security.

He was trying to do it the right way.

That deal has since fallen through.

So now… we’re starting from scratch.

I’ve helped Steve quietly before, just doing what I felt led to do.

But this time, I felt like it wasn’t meant to stay quiet.

This week, during Holy Week, I’ve been fasting—and last night I was reminded of what a true fast really is:

Not just what we give up…

but what we give away.

To help the poor.

To care for those in need.

To step in and make a difference in someone’s life.

And I couldn’t shake the feeling that this is one of those moments.

Steve is someone who, even in his own hardship, still shows up for others.

Now it’s our turn to show up for him.

If this speaks to your heart, I’m asking you to be part of this:

Give what you can

Share his story

Help us bring real stability, safety, and dignity into his life

A true fast isn’t just sacrifice… it’s love in action.

Let’s come together and make that real for Steve.