Please help support Coach Snipes

Hi, my name is Ethan, I'm a high school senior and I want you to meet Coach Snipes. He’s one of my favorite guys on the planet and if you stay with me and read to the end, I know you'll see why. The way he lives out his life makes him more than a mentor and coach, but an inspiration to anyone lucky enough to know him. He’s the guy that walks the walk, backs up the talk and thinks of, considers, and gives to everyone before himself.

Coach enlisted in the Marines at 19 years old and spent years fighting for his country during the Iraq war. He was among the first boots on the ground as a young man not much older than myself. His time with the Marines left him with brothers for life, the wildest stories, a love for country, a deep sense of honor, integrity and a deep sense of sacrifice; as well as a broken body and many emotional struggles and scars. Through ALL of it, Coach Snipes looks to, leans on and gives all Glory to God. You will never hear him complain, but you will hear him say, “embrace the suck” and he means it because he lives it. He has dedicated his life after the military to his family first – he’s an awesome Dad and his wife is so cool he’s got to be a great husband too; and to coaching and mentoring young athletes second. He helps us develop not only our athletic skills but also fosters a strong sense of character and the values he models. At our high school, he’s a football coach, a wrestling coach and a track coach. He’s legendary, everyone knows him and everyone loves him.

Coach Snipes recently (2 months ago) underwent knee replacement surgery, it was his 9th knee surgery and after years of pleading with the VA, he finally found a doctor that agreed to do the full replacement. He was given a 60% chance the surgery would go well with no complications. Unfortunately, he’s found himself on the wrong side of that 60% as nothing has gone as smoothly as hoped. He has been facing numerous complications during his recovery, including an open wound that will not close, infection, severe pain, skin atrophy, lack of proper care and doctors and surgeons who have refused to work with him because he is with the VA. The pictures are too graphic to post here but if you go to his Facebook or Twitter page, you’ll see it all.

Despite the challenges he has faced, Coach Snipes has remained positive and determined to get back on his feet. He has always been a selfless and generous man, giving everything he has to help others without ever expecting anything in return.

Now I want to help show him the same kindness, love, generosity and support that he has shown to hundreds of kids and family's over the years. Coach Snipes first and foremost needs our prayers – that is the only thing he would ever ask for, but I am asking for financial assistance to help relieve the burden and to support him and his family as well. This medical journey has been long already, years in fact, and if he ends up going outside of the VA to get proper care (which all things are pointing that way) the medical expenses will be too overwhelming. I’m asking for $10,000 but would love to ask for $100,000 because I know Coach Snipes and his family would put every penny to good use and would absolutely find many, many others to bless in the process.

Please consider helping me help him ensure he gets the medical care he deserves. Any amount you can contribute will make a significant difference and show Coach just how much he means to his community. And, if your support comes in the form of prayer, sharing this page, resources or some kind of connection or information regarding his medical care, THANK YOU! God bless you and thank you for considering my GoFundMe request.