My name is Erin and for those of you who don't know, I am the youngest of Alex Merch's three (step) daughters. Alex was married to my dad until AIDS took him from us in 1995. My sisters and I watched as Alex cared for our father so gently and lovingly in his final years - never a complaint, never a harsh word. And during that time, and every day since, he has also been a rock for my sisters and me. He's been supportive, strong, loving and consistent. He's been our handyman and a source of the unconditional love my father could no longer give us. And for his four grandkids, he has been a tireless and infinitely patient playmate. He changed their diapers, cleaned their spit-up, taught them how to fish and how to make a slingshot, let them play with his toys, bandaged their booboos, played silly games, laughed with them until they cried, and cried with them until the hurt was gone. For my entire family, he has been a papa.

And that role extends far past our little family. There are hundreds of you folks out there who have been touched by Alex's generous spirit and good nature. He has been there for all of us in our time of need, whether we needed help with a running toilet or some loving encouragement, and always with a smile. He's been "papa" to all of us in some way.

Now we have the chance to pay him back at least some of the love he has given us. On Monday, March 6, Alex will be having quadruple bypass surgery on that big heart of his. He will be in the hospital for a week and then will go home to finish his recovery for the next twelve. His short-term disability coverage will only pay about 50% of his salary, and that's just not enough to cover his expenses. We don't want anxiety about his finances to hinder his healing in any way. That gives us all the opportunity to help him for a change! We know money is tight for everyone right now but if you have a few bucks to spare, we humbly ask if you could see it in your heart to help him out. We are his village, and he needs us. No amount is too small.

If you can't donate, we would appreciate your prayers for a speedy and comfortable recovery.

Thank you all for reading and for giving your time, energy, heart, and wallet to help a very deserving papa.

His daughters,

Mikell, Holly, and Erin

And his grandkids,

Jacob, Jordan, Ashton, and Sydney