Stand by a Son: Car Fund in Time of Need

Most of you know me as someone who really never asks for help. However, this past month of April 2025 lve had a number of challenges and misfortunes. Most of you do not know that in addition to my over 100 hours a month of volunteerism in the community that I've had done for the past 16 years I also became a Doordash driver July 2022. Through all kinds of weather rain, sun, snow. All the seasons, spring, summer, fall and winter, I've driven all over the county to all the various food establishments where they all know me well. Then off to a customers house to make a delivery. Doing this is my livelihood. Yes my main source of income is SSDI month to month, but my livelihood is NOT sitting on my butt. After a knee replacement Jan. 9, 2025 I have had a slower than usual recovery still lots of pain that I know in my heart with effort on my part and some good physicians I will prevail over this as well. I downplay this but honestly I walk with a cane and walker at times. And yes, I still have the same monthly volunteer hours and sporadic Doordashes. Hoping to resume more with longer daylight hours. And also, I manage quite well as this keeps ones mind active.

With that said, Fri. April 4, 2025 during a Doordash my Chevy Cruze "bit the bullet" as they say and the engine became no more. Since Mon. April 7 I have rented a car at a daily rate of $47/day that's $350/week that has quite depleted me. Add to this a car to get back and forth to non medical appts and medical appts, visiting my mom and of course Rusty loving the rides and you cannot Doordash without a vehicle. If it wasn't for all of this, I would be homebound and this would especially drastic with all playing out at present.

Saving any sob story, all of this smack dab in the middle of my 100 year old plus mother who has suddenly taken a turn for the worse this past Sunday and is expected to pass in the few days. I am her health care power of attorney, her only son, the one and only closest family member and the one she always said to me, "You're all I got left" To think she is close to leaving me physically here in a few days is hitting home and unfathomable.

Instead of seeing my mom every few days which could've been with the shape she is in now I see her twice a day thanks to the rental car which the stress each day where time has been ticking in many avenues for me, keeping balanced on the search for a new car while now at the same time the emotional heartache of watching your mother die. Mom ALWAYS helped me all of my life financially in many ways. Her money has been depleted. Exhausted in the name of love when I moved her to Dover to be near me as she needed 24/7 skilled nursing care and a mother after so many years I reconnected to in more ways than anyone could ever imagine. I'm sure it's evident in my past FB posts of these past two years.

I found a car for $6000. Something I can't afford. Loans have been unsuccessful. Credit issues and not making enough income. I have managed through some very generous friends to raise half the money. I need help in raising the other half. I am setting the amount at $5000. I will leave you with the fact that any loan I have gotten approved for is at a high interest of 25% for 48 months. That's 4 years. So the math, after all is said and done, I will be paying 3 times the amount of this car, yes, $15,000 that is $9,000 more than the original price and additional $2,250 per year for four years, an extra $187.50 a month for four years.

I appreciate any help anyone can give. I'm quite grateful and thank everyone of you for what you can give.