I met Carl through the Meals on Wheels program, of which I am a Site Manager. Many of our clients are living in unfavorable conditions, but Carl's situation stands out and has made a profound impact on me. I am determined to change his immediate living situation as quickly as possible but need your help to accomplish this goal.

Carl is mostly confined to a wheelchair, his feet are swollen due to diabetes, he needs hip replacement surgery, and he also needs to see a dentist and eye doctor. He does not have access to laundry services. I recently bought him new clothes and took him to see his social worker today. With help, it took him about 2 hours to bathe, get dressed, and to my car on crutches.

Carl's current landlord is a slumlord. His apartment is unacceptable and he doesn't even have a ramp so he can leave his apartment, or rails installed to safely take a shower. He has a cockroach infestation that will never be resolved because there are holes in the walls of his kitchen. There are many code violations at his apartment and he is exhausted from having to deal with unresponsive property management. His landlord has the audacity to charge him over $1,000 per month, and doesn't even cover utilities. All of his disability checks go to the slumlord and his bills. The list of issues that would send any one of us into a state of depression is too long to go into. Despite his situation, he still manages to make me laugh, he takes the time to listen, and he is always sincerely grateful. His granddaughter keeps him motivated and optimistic about life. This man deserves better living conditions - and he deserves that now!

I'm asking each of you to donate whatever you can to reach a goal of $5,000.

APS has found a much more suitable place for Carl to live. All he needs is $1,300 for a deposit, moving costs, and basic household items which we all take for granted to help him live a normal life in his new apartment.

If everyone who receives my email donates $10 we will reach our goal. Some will not be able to afford to donate anything, so if you can afford more - I encourage you to do so. 100 percent of all money raised will go directly to Carl's moving costs and essential needs. I will personally be following through to make sure everything is handled appropriately for Carl, and will provide updates.

Carl is a prideful, intelligent, and warm human being with a big heart. He deserves to live the rest of his years with dignity. I believe there is strength in numbers, but the numbers don't add up unless you as an individual - contribute. Give the gift of happiness this holiday season, and make a difference one person at a time!

Please share this page on Facebook, Twitter, or through your social media of choice - spreading the good word is welcomed.

Thank you kindly,

Josh McCue