Hello my friends. I appreciate you taking the time to even read this, as I know we are all so busy.

Unfortunately my father James recently had a fire at his house that completely destroyed his two story barn and everything in it- including his engine building tools, his yard maintenance equipment, his beloved '69 Mustang, and every keepsake and piece of memorabilia that he had stored in there. An electrical fire happened during the night reducing the barn to what you see in the photo. Things can of course be replaced, and I am thankful that he is safe and his home is okay.

The old barn has been my father's safe-haven since the loss of my mother just a few months ago, and now he feels as if he has nothing. It is a tough thing to see your hero weep and look so lost. Many photos of my parents together from the early 70s are amongst the things that can never be replaced. Insurance is helping with the structure of course, but not supplying nearly half as much as it would cost to even rebuild the barn itself due to the increased price of lumber and materials.

The car is a total loss as well, but as he is in his late 70s- it is more the memories of us working together on it for 30 years that bothers him, and so there is no need for another vehicle. However I would like to buy him some of his tool sets and engine materials for him again so that he can continue to tinker and fix the cars of his friends. He has been a go-to mechanic for many people over the years, and as he has been struggling emotionally with the loss of my mother, being in his old barn gave him a sense of purpose and a much needed distraction. I am working on rebuilding something there for him to be proud of and to work in, but I cannot do it alone.

I hate to ask for assistance; and if you know me you know that is truer than true, but he means more to me than my pride. Anything you can comfortably contribute without causing any hardship to yourself is greatly appreciated- and if you cannot contribute financially, thoughts and prayers for him are also of great value to me and my family. Thank you for your time and thoughtfulness. - Dustin