Dear Friends,

I have a close friend of 20+ years who needs help. I’ve wracked my brain to find a way to be of assistance, and this is the only thing I can think of. He is a very private person – never asks for help. He’s a very old-fashioned person – not on social media. He’s a very generous person – will literally give you anything he has if it will help you. I am amazed at what he sacrifices for others. He lives over 1,000 miles from me here in Washington, so I can’t help him in person. He began his career in law enforcement in the late 1970’s as a sheriff deputy, then a police officer, then head of dispatch, then a long time crime scene investigator. He even worked on one of the most famous crime scenes of modern history – Columbine. His career spanned over 35 years, and now he works with me in the private sector. I will call him Brad to protect his privacy.

His wife of 45 years is in the late stages of Alzheimer’s and he can no longer care for her as well as his adult special-needs son by himself. It is more than a 1-person 24/7 job, and it is taking its toll on him and his family. I will spare the details, but it is heartbreaking. He is going through the unimaginable – doctors, therapists, insurance, social services, lawyers…trying to figure out how he can get help without losing everything he owns. He has been able to hold down a full-time job working remotely for the last 10+ years since his wife’s diagnosis, but it’s now reached the point of not being able to meet his obligations at work.

The only thing I can think of is to start a Go Fund Me account that may help ease the burden of the expenses he is faced with during this difficult time. My challenge is to those who know me – those know someone who has been impacted by Alzheimer’s’ – those of you in law enforcement – or just anyone who has the means to help. My challenge is to you! Please contribute what you can. Every little bit helps. I will ensure every penny goes directly to him and his family. Please help ME help HIM renew his faith in mankind. Complete strangers can help someone in need with no strings attached. He is a brother whose family is in need, who is in a personal crisis, and has a very small support group.

Let’s see how much we can raise to help him. Much love and thanks to you all.

Shannon