Hi, my name is Alex. I work and live in Collierville,TN. A few months ago I met a man named Jacob. I had seen him every morning and every evening and did not realize he was homeless. He has never once approached us or asked for anything. He wakes up and works all day cleaning windows for nearby businesses and goes back to his camp to eat his meal. He does not use his money to drink nor smoke. He has never bothered me nor any of my co workers. He’s always met us with a smile. Well someone in our shopping center did not see him the way we do and has been reporting him to CPD. Tonight we saw him on the curb of Poplar crying into his hands because police told him he had to leave this area, and he had nowhere to go. All of our hearts just broke. We had to help him. An incredible soul who wishes to remain anonymous donated a week stay at hotel nearby. When I approached him and told him this, his face just lit up. He said he was not used to people being kind to him and he was nothing but grateful. My husband and I loaded up his few belongings and drove him to his king suite for the next week. His face when he walked in and saw his room just made our holiday. We talked and got to know Jacob. Jacob James was born in Chicago. He had an upbringing that no child should have and he had no family to depend on. I asked why he came to Memphis and he said the lord told him to come here. He likes his freedom and to not depend on anyone but he hopes for the day he can find a good job and settle down with no worries.

I told him I want to help him and I am going to fundraise to get him what he needs. I asked him what he needed the most. In my head I’m thinking a car or a phone. And his response was a hearing aid. Jacob has learned speech pretty well but it is challenging for him to read your lips unless you are very close to him. He said he has dreamed of being able to hear better and it will help him find a good job. I know it’s Christmas and everyone has spent so much at this time. But this man should make you realize all that you have. I know I have been truly humbled to meet Jacob. And I am truly blessed for what I have. That being said. I want to do everything I can to help him but I do need help. I am raising funds to get him a hearing aid, a phone so he can apply for jobs, a car and to help get him out of the street and in a warm bed. A week stay at his hotel costs $600.

Every single dime of this fundraiser Will go to helping my friend Jacob. If you cannot donate, I ask you to please share. Thank you for taking the time to read this and God Bless.