My son, AJ, was in an unavoidable car accident in Los Angeles on his way to work. No injuries, thankfully, but his nearly 20-year-old car was totaled, and his auto insurance is not covering any of the estimated $7,500 in damages. To complicate matters, he had just spent all his savings on major repairs to that car several months ago, hoping he could keep driving it for a few more years. What seemed like a good investment at the time is now hard-earned money down the drain.

I was able to help him get a rental car for a month so he can continue getting to and from work, but I am unable to help him buy a reliable replacement used car (estimated at $8,000 to $10,000) without jeopardizing my own emergency funds. I am retired now with a fixed income supplemented with part-time editing work when it’s available.

I started this GoFundMe for him in hopes that between my friends, his friends and colleagues, and some sympathetic strangers, we can help him secure transportation for a few years until he is able to take out a loan for a new car. His work often requires him to drive as far as 50 miles one way, so public transportation or Lyft/Uber rides are not feasible. Any donation you can afford is greatly appreciated. GoFundMe offers various methods of payment to make it easy. Thank you so much for caring!

In AJ's Own Words

Rideshare costs to my current job can exceed $100 per day, making the need for a new (used) car urgent, considering I am still actively working between four and six days a week. In my primary line of work, immersive themed entertainment and live event production, I frequently witness the power of community. I kindly ask for your help as a community today; please spread the word and consider giving what you can, so I may continue helping create your favorite events and showing up in places where joy is needed as soon as possible.

Given the fact that most local lower-end used vehicles run just above the approximate cost of the 2006 Toyota’s recent damage, my goal is to purchase a used vehicle by the end of November. Paying for temporary fixes is no longer sustainable, and will simply not be possible December onward. I have already started saving what I can to help pay for a new used vehicle; given the urgency of the situation, however, I am unable to foot the entire total myself. Your contribution will be paired with the portion I can raise myself this month to get me back out on the road, with all associated costs settled, as soon as possible. Thank you so much for your help.