Please Help the Sollars Family

Hello Everyone,

I’m writing this today not only as a member of the security community, but as a concerned friend and colleague of someone we know who really needs our help.

I’m sure that most of you know our friend Robert Sollars, otherwise known as the ‘Blind Security Professional.’  For those who don’t, Robert had been a member of the security community for many years before the onset of the terrible condition that eventually caused his blindness.  Afterward, and with the assistance of his loving wife Eileen, Robert continued to be a productive member of our profession – consulting, speaking, training, and writing books for our industry.  He also served on the ASIS Phoenix Chapter Board of Directors for many years, most recently as the Public Relations Chair.  Robert never let his condition hamper him from serving our profession, and many of you probably remember seeing both Robert and Eileen at ASIS luncheons and other events.

Unfortunately hard times have fallen upon them.  Over recent years Robert has had an understandable difficulty finding full-time employment in the Valley.  Eileen, a registered nurse and his provider and caretaker, has been out of work since May and has not been able to find employment.  Both of them have health issues, and medical costs have only added to the strain.

In short, Robert and Eileen have very little money and very little time.  They are selling almost all of their possessions, as they are forced to leave their home at the end of the month.  At this point the only place for them to go is their car or a shelter.  And with Robert’s disability and their medical issues, I can’t even imagine….

I know that Robert is like most of us in our profession – proud to serve alongside the many talented people who are dedicated to protecting the ones we love and those around us.  And I also know that when one of us falls, we must do everything we can to pick them up.

I hope that you will ask yourself how you can help.  For the long term, Robert and Eileen need a place to work.  They are experienced, trustworthy, capable and very willing to do so.  In the short term, they need ideas for a place to stay.  And in the meantime, I have established a GoFundMe account for donations to provide them with some much needed cash.

Frankly, it broke my heart to hear of their plight.  And I hope that you will join me in doing everything we can to help Robert and Eileen in their time of need.  So please consider donating through the GoFundMe account.  If you have any other ideas or suggestions, please feel free to contact either Robert or myself.  Robert can be reached at [email redacted].  I can be reached at jcote-[email redacted].

Thank you,

 
Jordan