Totaled my vehicle, have kids, school, etc.

Hello, I'm Robert. I'm a single dad to 3 amazing kiddos, in the marine reserves, and a (former) student with aspirations to become a public school teacher. About a month ago, it snowed heavily, and a friend needed a ride to work, as you can guess from the picture below, he did not make it to work on time. We thankfully came out without a scratch, but a small patch of slush on a curve caused us to slide into a ditch and into a tree, completely totaling my very first car.

I'm not one to usually ask for help, but as a single dad splitting custody, and intent on going back to school in the fall, not having a vehicle has really taken its toll on me. I'm unemployed as well as my mental health hasn't really been the best adjusting to this new lifestyle of being a single dad, which is the same reason I'm currently not in school. Though I just got taxes back, practically all but what I needed for subsistence went to overdue racked up bills. So I have no money to spare, no transportation to any job I would hope to get, no way to get my kids and take them to school and whatnot throughout the week, no way to get to therapy, which in turn affects my mental health making getting a job or going back to school even harder.

Personally, I try to do as much for others as I can, being a marine, wanting to be a teacher, having donated 4+ gallons of blood, volunteering for the board of elections, etc. I do all of that due to a deep-rooted belief that those with the power and capability also have a moral responsibility to help where they can. I don't do it with an expectation of anything in return, but as others have felt before, it does feel nice regardless when karma seemingly gives back.

I tried setting a reasonable amount for something to just get me and my family by.

I appreciate you even taking the time to read this.