Hi, I am asking you to help my friend Bill who is in great need. His car is a safety hazard, he may lose his business, his home, and his family's belongings, and needs help. I was doing all I can, but it is no longer enough. I have asked him to tell his story, below:

 

"I never thought I would have to resort to a fundraiser like this, but my circumstances are dire and I feel that I have few other options. I am 81 years old and my overall health is not great.

 

My small mail-order business has been declining since 2015 when I was forced to neglect it while I helped to provide full-time care to my ex-wife in the final years of her life. During that time, I was stricken with a serious case of pneumonia. To add to it all, my daughter died of suicide one week after her husband died.

 

Following the death of my ex-wife, I came down with a bad case of shingles, complicated by a staph infection that put me hours away from sepsis, for which I was hospitalized. Shortly after, my landlord passed away suddenly from pancreatic cancer! I have never fully regained my strength since that hospitalization. Moving from the home and office where I had lived for 30 years was a nightmare and very expensive.

 

My mail-order business was moved to an office which cost me more than the business was bringing in. Then before I could get back on my feet, starting in 2020, there has been COVID, supply chain problems, product shortages, and most recently the cost of everything has risen sharply, including food, gasoline, and almost everything else. Shipping costs have risen considerably, which has been a deterrent for many customers. As a very small business, I cannot easily provide free shipping as Amazon can.

 

Add to all this that my 17-year-old vehicle has needed several thousands of dollars of work for the last two years, which I haven’t been able to repair, and I have reached a point where I am forced to ask for help.

 

As it stands, I owe two of my closest friends over $10,000 for loans they had given me.

 

I am hoping to raise enough money to pay for vehicle repairs or vehicle replacement with a reliable used car. I also hope to pay my back rent and other accounts that are in arrears. And finally, to begin repaying those outstanding loans.

 

I am deeply grateful and humbled by any help I receive and appreciate any sharing of this fundraiser."