Tom’s current medical, funeral & ongoing expenses

Tom Tompkins turned 80 years old this year, but he will not make 81.

My friend Tom was passionate about classic rock and roll. He was a survivor of the million people concert
 Woodstock. He could tell you anything about any song or band from the ‘60s or ‘70s.  He was very well read and
knowledgeable about politics, foreign affairs and current affairs. He could shoot the gab with anybody, and he did,

Tom  was diagnosed with lung cancer a few months back. Last week while in the hospital, the doctors informed
Tom and his wife Barbara that he has anywhere between two weeks and two months remaining. Tom is home as of this date under hospice care with Barbara trying her best to make his last days comfortable.

Tom was best known as the cheese guy. For over 20 years, Tom was a staple merchant in several of Alexandria
Virginia farmers markets. Tom‘s inventory was unique. You see Tom and Barbara have lived in a mobile trailer on
the side of a hill (borrowed property), in the heart of Pennsylvania Duch (Amish) country,  Lancaster County PA for 30 years.  When they first settled in their little trailer, It didn’t take Tom long to become close friends with his
Amish neighbors. One of them raises chickens and sells fresh free Range farm eggs. Another raises cows, and from the milk produces an extraordinary yogurt. And with Tom‘s expert cheese making advice, a third Amish neighbor
produces an elegant line of cheeses. Tom being an entrepreneur came up with the idea of combining these Amish
delicacies and bringing them to northern VA markets. Tom’s Amish Cheese, as it is called, was an instant hit. In the beginning Tom would pack up his van with Amish goods and travel to Alexandria 3 times a week, leaving Lancaster at 2am not to return home until 8pm, load up more inventory and repeat. Just when he was thinking about slowing down in 2003, his wife Barbara was involved in a serious head on collision severely injuring both legs and her back.
Barbara never worked again. She has very limited mobility. She uses a cane for short distances and a wheelchair
when necessary. Tom had no choice but to keep up the grueling work. He was now the only income source they had

As time went on, Tom was forced to slow down because of his age. I met Tom about seven years ago. I was his
neighbor vendor, selling handmade soap. After a couple weeks of watching people flock to Tom‘s tent,  I could not
help but admire this man’s talent with his customer base. We quickly became friends. Every chance I had, I would watch to see what his magic sales gimmicks were. I did not see him do anything special, so I asked him one day. He
said he doesn’t sell, he doesn’t try to talk anyone into buying anything. When a customer comes into his tent, He
just talks about world events, or the weather. He asked them how they are doing. He feeds their dog a snack!
what a gimmick. It works and people love him because he cares about them.  Unfortunately, Tom was so busy
taking care of customers, he forgot to plan and take care of himself. As his health grew worse,  I began assisting
Tom with the heavy stuff.  Meeting him at 4:30 am to set up his tents, tables and coolers, and again in the afternoon to load it back on the truck. Before long, I was setting up and selling. Now I am doing all that PLUS driving to PA to pick up the merchandise. Why? Because a friend needs help and I am able to help.

My friends that is the whole meaning of this. Your friend Tom and his wife Barbara need help. If you can make any
donation, I beg that you do! I believe that all that we give is returned to us in some way if we open our eyes.
Remember, this is more about a widow who cannot provide for herself. Tom used to always tell me Barbara was the best thing that ever happened to him and he wished he had made provisions for her.

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