
Help Hondo Find His Smile!
Donation protected
Do you have 20 seconds to share?
Do you have $20 to spare?
Hondo has lost his smile and we can help him find it!
Thank you for your interest in helping Hondo! This is Misty Dawn Meggs and Jenni Wiggins, and we are asking you to join us in helping to create $10,000 needed to help Hondo get his smile back! He has degenerative bone disease that has progressed to a critical point. His quality of life is severely suffering and he needs our help right now!
Who is Hondo?
Hondo Crouch is a friend, brother, leader, and patriarch, who has been a sponsor, caretaker, and counselor to countless people over the years. He has been a staple of the Kerrville Folk Music Festival for years. He has lived in Austin for over a decade, and he is the owner of Hondo Presents, LLC. His generosity is only matched by his fierce loyalty to his tribe and his commitment to help every person who needs it.
Publicly, he supports his musical community by showcasing unknown talent at his Outlaw Open Mic Contest. He has helped organize and protect a multitude of festivals and events throughout the years. His advice and counsel are actively sought after by festival owners, managers, crew leaders, and event organizers.
Hondo loves nothing more than to bring his community together through good music and for a good cause. He has been the sponsor of an incredible number of backyard parties, birthdays, potlucks, and picnics. Hondo has spearheaded and sponsored some of our biggest fundraisers for some of our community’s dearest elders and friends, including Braids cancer fundraiser, Brother Tim’s fundraiser for when he lost his home due to the Onion Creek flood, and for Happy Jack's memorial and fundraiser to benefit his grieving family.
Privately, Hondo, with the support of his loving wife Sally, lives and breathes to help others. Their front door is a revolving door to those in need -from outcasts to outlaws, the chronically ill and disabled, those without family, without home, without any kind of support network are welcome. He has helped ex-convicts find work and housing, supporting them emotionally and sometimes financially until they can support themselves. Hondo has been known to give away instruments to struggling musicians. He has been the secret Santa to countless children and we have seen him bring an armful of unannounced gifts to needy families -often helping single parents get by one more month... or three. He has helped abuse victims escape domestic violence, and will sit with a scared, shaking woman until police and family arrive.
When the world is falling apart, our lives are ripped to shreds, or our festival is crumbling, when we have nowhere left to turn, we call on Hondo.
With Sally by his side, they have created a free Hippie Food Pantry, which they started three years ago. They have collected, organized and managed donations from Johnson’s Backyard Garden, Sprouts, & Trader Joe’s, enabling them to regularly give away tons of free organic, quality produce and other foods to any of those who need it. Realizing there was a need to get that food to the elderly, the disabled, and to those without transportation in our extended community, they have mapped food routes throughout Austin, that serve these often overlooked members of our family. Hondo and Sally have created a free food underground railroad that has served hundreds of impoverished families throughout the Austin area. They have never asked for anything in return. They have never requested a dime to support their efforts. Their only want is to better serve the community they love so much.
Throughout the years we have known Hondo, we have watched in awe as he pushes those around him to be better and to act from a sense of honor and integrity. His inner circle is blessed to know a sweet, loving patriarch who is the strongest tree in the forest. He comes from a heartfelt, loving space and is full of wisdom and anecdotes, and compassion for the plights of his fellow man. He sees the big picture and is always eager to help the lost find their way.
He has sustained countless households through tough times and long winters. Through his toughest times and his leanest months, his revolving door is always open.
How did Hondo lose his smile?
We have all had severe tooth pain, can you imagine an entire year of painful dental visits and tooth loss? How about a decade of dental pain?
About a year ago, Hondo went to the dentist because of severe tooth pain. He has had dental issues for years and he had been in pain for a very long time. He knew the the results weren't going to be good. He thought he was headed for a root canal or a tooth extraction, but it turns out he has degenerative bone disease. The tooth that was bothering him would have to be pulled out, and he was going to lose the rest. He was at the start of a chronically painful cycle where he would be forced to have each of his top teeth pulled as the disease progressed. It was recommended that he have all of his top teeth removed immediately, but that was financially impossible.
Hondo's quality of life has severely declined since the start of his dental issues -which we can only assume have been progressing for over a decade. We have asked, he won't say. Today, we know it is not possible for him to chew or tear food with his teeth, so he is living on a soft/liquid food diet.
He loves what he does for a living, which often involves interacting with the public. Anyone who knows Hondo, knows he loves to talk. He will talk about everything and nothing, full of energy and insight! As his disease has progressed, he has grown self-conscious of his missing teeth. We have noticed that he doesn’t smile or laugh as much, and that he covers his mouth when he laughs -in an effort to hide his missing teeth.
Over the past year, it has been devastating for him that his mouth hurts, because it makes talking, smiling, and eating painful, and really hard to do. The only remedy is to have all of his top teeth pulled, and to hopefully, fingers crossed, have dentures installed. The extractions, the dentures and installation needed, will cost approximately $10000 in total.
If dentures are not possible due to the condition of the bone in the roof of his mouth, which they won't know until the rest of his teeth are removed, he will need to have a dental plate installed. If a dental plate is needed, the estimate is a little more than $15,000.
The situation has become critical, and Hondo has appointments scheduled through April and into May for his dental work. Like anyone in these times, Hondo cannot afford the incredible upfront cost for his dental issues. We can no longer stand by and watch, as one of our best and bravest elders suffers. So here we are, asking for your help.
As we have come together in times of festival and celebration, in mourning and tragedy, we have loved and supported one another as a community, and Hondo has been there. It's time for us to be there for Hondo. If Hondo received $20 for every person he has ever helped without expecting anything in return, this GoFundMe would be record-breaking!
We are asking you to step forward and help us help Hondo. With just $20 and 20 seconds you really can make a HUGE difference in Hondo's life. By supporting Hondo you are supporting the lives of countless others.
How can I help?
Helping is easy! Do you have $20 and 20 seconds? If so, you can help Hondo right now!
We only need 500 people to give $20 to hit our goal!
Your $20 and 20 second effort is life changing for Hondo!
If you don't have $20, that's okay! Hondo would not want anyone to give anything that they could not afford, and we can do this $5-10 at a time! It's just more people to hug! If you contribute more than $20, it will help cover those who are unable to give as much!
If you don't have any change to spare, don't worry, you can still help us help Hondo! It only takes 20 seconds to read and share this GoFundMe. You can help Hondo right now, by clicking your mouse to share this GoFundMe on social media. Click it! Go ahead... do it now. You know you want to!
Also, please, encourage others to give! Let people know why you love Hondo, and maybe share a story about how he has helped you over the years. Getting the word out that help is needed is so important right now! Share this everywhere! We only have less than a month pull together enough funds to help him start the process of healing! This situation is urgent - please help now!
We love and thank you for it!
Do you have $20 to spare?
Hondo has lost his smile and we can help him find it!
Thank you for your interest in helping Hondo! This is Misty Dawn Meggs and Jenni Wiggins, and we are asking you to join us in helping to create $10,000 needed to help Hondo get his smile back! He has degenerative bone disease that has progressed to a critical point. His quality of life is severely suffering and he needs our help right now!
Who is Hondo?
Hondo Crouch is a friend, brother, leader, and patriarch, who has been a sponsor, caretaker, and counselor to countless people over the years. He has been a staple of the Kerrville Folk Music Festival for years. He has lived in Austin for over a decade, and he is the owner of Hondo Presents, LLC. His generosity is only matched by his fierce loyalty to his tribe and his commitment to help every person who needs it.
Publicly, he supports his musical community by showcasing unknown talent at his Outlaw Open Mic Contest. He has helped organize and protect a multitude of festivals and events throughout the years. His advice and counsel are actively sought after by festival owners, managers, crew leaders, and event organizers.
Hondo loves nothing more than to bring his community together through good music and for a good cause. He has been the sponsor of an incredible number of backyard parties, birthdays, potlucks, and picnics. Hondo has spearheaded and sponsored some of our biggest fundraisers for some of our community’s dearest elders and friends, including Braids cancer fundraiser, Brother Tim’s fundraiser for when he lost his home due to the Onion Creek flood, and for Happy Jack's memorial and fundraiser to benefit his grieving family.
Privately, Hondo, with the support of his loving wife Sally, lives and breathes to help others. Their front door is a revolving door to those in need -from outcasts to outlaws, the chronically ill and disabled, those without family, without home, without any kind of support network are welcome. He has helped ex-convicts find work and housing, supporting them emotionally and sometimes financially until they can support themselves. Hondo has been known to give away instruments to struggling musicians. He has been the secret Santa to countless children and we have seen him bring an armful of unannounced gifts to needy families -often helping single parents get by one more month... or three. He has helped abuse victims escape domestic violence, and will sit with a scared, shaking woman until police and family arrive.
When the world is falling apart, our lives are ripped to shreds, or our festival is crumbling, when we have nowhere left to turn, we call on Hondo.
With Sally by his side, they have created a free Hippie Food Pantry, which they started three years ago. They have collected, organized and managed donations from Johnson’s Backyard Garden, Sprouts, & Trader Joe’s, enabling them to regularly give away tons of free organic, quality produce and other foods to any of those who need it. Realizing there was a need to get that food to the elderly, the disabled, and to those without transportation in our extended community, they have mapped food routes throughout Austin, that serve these often overlooked members of our family. Hondo and Sally have created a free food underground railroad that has served hundreds of impoverished families throughout the Austin area. They have never asked for anything in return. They have never requested a dime to support their efforts. Their only want is to better serve the community they love so much.
Throughout the years we have known Hondo, we have watched in awe as he pushes those around him to be better and to act from a sense of honor and integrity. His inner circle is blessed to know a sweet, loving patriarch who is the strongest tree in the forest. He comes from a heartfelt, loving space and is full of wisdom and anecdotes, and compassion for the plights of his fellow man. He sees the big picture and is always eager to help the lost find their way.
He has sustained countless households through tough times and long winters. Through his toughest times and his leanest months, his revolving door is always open.
How did Hondo lose his smile?
We have all had severe tooth pain, can you imagine an entire year of painful dental visits and tooth loss? How about a decade of dental pain?
About a year ago, Hondo went to the dentist because of severe tooth pain. He has had dental issues for years and he had been in pain for a very long time. He knew the the results weren't going to be good. He thought he was headed for a root canal or a tooth extraction, but it turns out he has degenerative bone disease. The tooth that was bothering him would have to be pulled out, and he was going to lose the rest. He was at the start of a chronically painful cycle where he would be forced to have each of his top teeth pulled as the disease progressed. It was recommended that he have all of his top teeth removed immediately, but that was financially impossible.
Hondo's quality of life has severely declined since the start of his dental issues -which we can only assume have been progressing for over a decade. We have asked, he won't say. Today, we know it is not possible for him to chew or tear food with his teeth, so he is living on a soft/liquid food diet.
He loves what he does for a living, which often involves interacting with the public. Anyone who knows Hondo, knows he loves to talk. He will talk about everything and nothing, full of energy and insight! As his disease has progressed, he has grown self-conscious of his missing teeth. We have noticed that he doesn’t smile or laugh as much, and that he covers his mouth when he laughs -in an effort to hide his missing teeth.
Over the past year, it has been devastating for him that his mouth hurts, because it makes talking, smiling, and eating painful, and really hard to do. The only remedy is to have all of his top teeth pulled, and to hopefully, fingers crossed, have dentures installed. The extractions, the dentures and installation needed, will cost approximately $10000 in total.
If dentures are not possible due to the condition of the bone in the roof of his mouth, which they won't know until the rest of his teeth are removed, he will need to have a dental plate installed. If a dental plate is needed, the estimate is a little more than $15,000.
The situation has become critical, and Hondo has appointments scheduled through April and into May for his dental work. Like anyone in these times, Hondo cannot afford the incredible upfront cost for his dental issues. We can no longer stand by and watch, as one of our best and bravest elders suffers. So here we are, asking for your help.
As we have come together in times of festival and celebration, in mourning and tragedy, we have loved and supported one another as a community, and Hondo has been there. It's time for us to be there for Hondo. If Hondo received $20 for every person he has ever helped without expecting anything in return, this GoFundMe would be record-breaking!
We are asking you to step forward and help us help Hondo. With just $20 and 20 seconds you really can make a HUGE difference in Hondo's life. By supporting Hondo you are supporting the lives of countless others.
How can I help?
Helping is easy! Do you have $20 and 20 seconds? If so, you can help Hondo right now!
We only need 500 people to give $20 to hit our goal!
Your $20 and 20 second effort is life changing for Hondo!
If you don't have $20, that's okay! Hondo would not want anyone to give anything that they could not afford, and we can do this $5-10 at a time! It's just more people to hug! If you contribute more than $20, it will help cover those who are unable to give as much!
If you don't have any change to spare, don't worry, you can still help us help Hondo! It only takes 20 seconds to read and share this GoFundMe. You can help Hondo right now, by clicking your mouse to share this GoFundMe on social media. Click it! Go ahead... do it now. You know you want to!
Also, please, encourage others to give! Let people know why you love Hondo, and maybe share a story about how he has helped you over the years. Getting the word out that help is needed is so important right now! Share this everywhere! We only have less than a month pull together enough funds to help him start the process of healing! This situation is urgent - please help now!
We love and thank you for it!
Organizer and beneficiary
Misty Dawn Meggs
Organizer
Austin, TX
Michael Crouch
Beneficiary