My name is John Hollis. I am a resident of Winter Haven, Florida. I am not a family member or known friend to the family below. God and my heart chose me to assist a family in need. I am a Director of Manufacturing for Simmetry Manufacturing, Owned by Innovation Cabinetry in Tampa Florida.

I work in Tampa. I frequent a Wendy's for my work lunch. I saw a family of 5 sitting in the back parking lot on Monday 12/9, Mom, dad and 3 little boys with their belongings. I thought maybe they were waiting on a ride or bus. When I returned on Wednesday 12/11 to purchase my lunch, this family of 5 was sitting in the same place now with a shopping cart holding their belongings. This really bothered me.

I exited my car to investigate and see if there was something I could do to help. I met the Buck family, Father Tim, the wife and mother and a 4,8, and 9 year old boys. They are living day by day post hurricane as the home they lived in owned or rented by friends was rendered uninhabitable.

Tim was the only income for the family, he recently lost his job because he had to decide between an Uber ride to work or another night in the hotel to keep his family safe, dry and warm.

I immediately took him back to the hotel to purchase additional nights to get these boys off the streets and honestly give myself time to think. I need to figure out how I could help a family in such a condition of need.

The next day I started reaching out to ministries, Salvation Army and others alike. I was passed from number to number. I left voice mails and to date not even a return call.

I talked to the family to find out they have been working with the Metropolitan Ministries of Tampa for several months. To date they have not received assistance. Some ministries they have talked with have suggested placing the boys in foster care. Heartbreaking to even think about. The mother said clearly this is not an option.

This family is so far down on their luck, they need so much assistance and have no time. The system is failing them because it is over taxed due to the shear numbers of homeless, holidays and post hurricane destruction.

They have no car, no home and are losing hope. They have no family to assist due to other family member addictions to drugs and alcohol. No friends to help because the people they consider friends are facing the same problems the Buck family faces. Truth is the system cannot work fast enough to help them. They will fail themselves. It is just to much burden.

I am trying to assist to find them jobs and raise money to put a consistent roof over their head and a car to drive so they can see a light at the end of a tunnel and know it is not a train ready to run them over.

I have bee able to raise $2000 through friendships to buy additional time in the hotel. The hotel is not sustainable due to the costs and it has no facilities for the parents to store and prepare food.

I am not giving them cash, I am managing all funds to ensure maximum value is given to the family and I have been entrusted by those who have donated to ensure the money is used wisely.

100% of the funds raised will be invested into this family by me for food, housing, transportation, counseling and training. This is my promise to those who donate.