Hello, I’m Mark Tipton, Breezy’s father. Since I was a teenager, I’ve always had a strong desire to help people in need but never focused that desire into a plan. That changed for me four years ago. About six years ago, a local Dominican named Raul started working for me two days a week. The other five days a week, he grew food on land that I let him use. At the time, he was 68 years old and the sole caregiver for his 114-year-old father. Two years later, his father became blind, incontinent, and bedridden. About six months after that, Raul approached me, not looking for help but just confiding in me as a friend to let me know he was struggling. Having to be a caretaker and cleaning up and bathing his father every day was a crushing burden. I told him to find a local woman with a kind heart to help, and that I would pay for it. We found someone for less than $100 a month to help out. Two years after this, his father died at the age of 118. One day, about six months later, he shared his profound gratitude with me and explained that I would never understand the impact my support had on his life. I was moved. I decided then and there to come up with a plan to help more people. I would try to find ten people financially comfortable enough to donate $100 a month to positively impact a deserving poor person. With this $100 a month sponsorship, I purchase the medicine, pay the electric bill and cable bill directly, and give the person in need any remaining balance for food. I would like to note that I understand some people may think that paying for cable is a little frivolous, but most of these people live alone in poor health with only plastic chairs to sit in all day. The reason I include the cost of cable (about $10 a month) is because it helps take the sting out of boredom and loneliness. 100% of the monthly donation goes directly to the person in need. Not one penny is spent on overhead. I use my own gas and time to pay the bills, make the purchases, and visit them monthly.

Breezy is currently sponsoring Raul, as her family knows him well and are quite fond of him.

The next person being sponsored is Soñia. This image shows where Soñia lives.

No sofa or soft chairs, just 2 plastic chairs. She is diabetic with heart problems and is battling breast cancer. I have come to care deeply about this lovely woman. In spite of dealing with harsh living conditions and health problems that would be unbearable to me, she regularly sends me messages of blessings and gratitude for myself and my entire family. She often brings me to tears with her prayers of gratitude and protection when I visit her. With this sponsorship, I was able to purchase Sonia's heart and diabetes medication, pay her electric bill, and get her cable reconnected and paid monthly.

The newest person being sponsored is Griselda. The below images of her and her home, speaks volumes.

Griselda lives in a 9 feet by 10 feet dwelling with no toilet, bath, sink, or running water. She lost one leg about a year ago. Then two months ago, she lost the other. She is currently healing from a recent infection, but due to the rainy season, she had to temporarily relocate to a slightly larger metal building two doors down from her house (See pictures below of current dwelling). The first time I met her, we hugged, cried, laughed, and joked, all within the first five minutes. She is witty, sweet, grateful, sensitive, and has a wonderful energy. She is a pure delight. I feel so fortunate to be sponsoring her. My dear friend, Patricia from the States, has also become a sponsor for Griselda because of the severity of the need here.

Patricia originally sponsored a retired schoolteacher named Yolanda who was mostly bedridden, taking care of a young child and her mute daughter suffering from severe mental illness with tendencies toward violence. When Yolanda died, her sister lovingly took over the responsibility of caring for the young child and mute daughter, and Patricia transferred her sponsorship to the family. The family has since become more financially stable, so now Patricia is able to sponsor Griselda. Upon receiving her first assistance, she was the personification of joy and gratitude. The original goal was to move her to a modest apartment, but she is afraid she will lose rights to her house if she leaves the area. The $200 a month she is receiving will help with her immediate needs, but the ultimate goal is to rebuild her home (larger) so she can move back into a safe and comfortable dwelling with a functioning toilet and kitchen sink with two windows and a real door. I am currently working with a local carpenter, Emilio, and negotiating discounted rates with multiple hardware stores to assist. I also would love assistance in starting a GoFundMe to raise the $5,000 needed to complete this project for those who wish to contribute.

The next opportunity is on a much lighter note. My good friend Emilio, someone I trust implicitly and the local carpenter I am working with on Griselda's rebuild, started this project last year. He gets a few people to donate a little time and money to paint poor people’s houses. I personally have just joined the project by setting aside $100 a month and pledging to donate time when the next group of houses are scheduled to paint. This will be an ongoing project open to contributions/donations as well.

The next photos are three people waiting for a sponsor: Martin, Julia, and Lorenzo, respectively. All three have suffered heart attacks. Martin is somewhat incapacitated from the heart attack, and Julia is blind and suffers from high blood pressure and circulation issues. One sponsor alone at $100 a month would cover the cost to buy medicine for all three of them.

These are just a few ways I, with the help of Breezy, Patricia, and Emilio, have been able to begin to support this community. I feel incredibly blessed to see how far a little amount can go to improve the quality of life for those direly struggling. I also know it's just the beginning and there are many more people who could use assistance. There is an endless opportunity to help. I am grateful to know that three people are currently being sponsored and I'm hoping to make my dream a reality by finding others who want to contribute $100 a month so we can sponsor at least 10 people. I will also find new projects and opportunities to contribute one-time donations for those who are able to financially give more or for those who want to help but can't commit to $100 a month.

I believe most Americans have a generous spirit, but not all completely trust charities. One can never be completely sure how much of their money actually goes for a good cause and how much goes for overhead expenses. It can feel a little impersonal also. Your donation of $100 a month is very personal. You can receive updates, photos, and can call the person or family you are sponsoring. You could even visit them if you vacationed in the Dominican Republic. $100 a month can greatly impact the quality of life here. Not having to stress about whether you will be able to pay for your medicine, your electric, or cable bill is a great blessing.

This is just a start and will be an evolving process, but my goal is simple; I want to connect people with the financial ability and desire to help with those that are in need of support. I am 100% transparent and am happy to connect and answer any questions you may have and look forward to providing updates in the future as people receive these contributions. You can reach me via email or directly by phone. Simply contact Breezy and she can get you in direct contact with me through WhatsApp.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Humbly,

Mark Tipton