Over the past four days, I've been called a scheister, a good dad, a shameless, spineless individual, an opportunist, and a bad example to my kids. While I have my 15 minutes of
fame, I will take the opportunity to tell everyone my story. We've been making emblems since the 1890's, back when Spaniards roamed the country, and up until last Saturday when a
huge fire consumed both our home and livelihood. I walked out of the blaze with nothing but the clothes on my back, and 2,000 pesos in my wallet. I lost my dog that night, my loyal
companion for 6 years.
.
.
For every 100 guys that are genuinely helpful, there will always be that one nay-sayer. "Scammer!" shouts one guy. Why help someone who collects sports cars, for crying out loud?
The truth is, I set aside some money for my kids early on. This I did before I splurged on my passion -- cars. Trust fund for my eldest, a nice condo unit along Macapagal, and some
money in the bank. I am financially informed, and I could, if I wanted to, just pack up and leave with what I have put aside for myself, and abandon the 120 guys that depend on us. But
no. I will not do that. My father will not do that. None of us will. I have a million pesos in donations, and a little more from my own stash. Proceeds from the sale of my cars will likewise go to the rebuild effort.
.
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I am already at 1/3 of my target, and with your help, can collect the full $50,000 needed to rehabilitate some of our machines and try to operate the company on limp mode. An opportunist, you
say? This is our opportunity to shut down a business that hasn't made us any real money in years. I'm 38 years old, able-bodied despite being blind in one eye, married to a wonderful
wife who's equally qualified to work, and have very little reason to pour my life's savings back into a company that has struggled to survive since before my time. It costs far less money
to shut a business down than to restart one. To close, I only hope that should a fate such as mine befall you, good guys like Angie Mead King, Marc Soong, and the Top Gear crew will
be there to help you out. I am now poor, but have never been richer in terms of friends
My story, should you care to find out more...
https://gogetfunding.com/mick-family-help-rebuild-an-honest-businessmans-livelihood/
My FB, if you care to add me up:
https://www.facebook.com/michael.santi.39
No matter how hard you have worked over the years and how much you think you have built up and achieved, it can all be gone in a heartbeat. The speed at which the fire spread and destroyed our livelihood in front of our eyes was terrifying, but we have no time to stand still in shock and must move forward fast to get back on our feet.
Having literally lost everything and with virtually no insurance in place to help, it has become clear very quickly that we won’t be able to do this on our own. Not only did the fire have a devastating effect on the livelihood of my family, but also on the over 100 people on our payroll, most of them skilled ring makers, engravers, artisans who learned their craft from their fathers, and their father's fathers. I am determined to rebuild the business as fast as I can, but I need your kind help for this.
Your donations will be used to try and salvage some of the machines and refurbish some of the equipment from the destroyed workshop. I am planning to put up a new, smaller workshop so we can get going again and minimize the impact this terrible event has had, not only on my wife and kids, but on my parents, my sister, and perhaps more importantly, our 120 or so employees whose families depend on our business. It's not gonna be as big as the old shop, but it's a start. I know I am asking much, but I am a 38 year old, 4th generation craftsman who knows no other trade, and rebuilding our livelihood is the biggest challenge I have ever faced in my life. I hope you can help us get back on our feet.
Lots of love...
The Santis
Apologies for the catchy text. That was my way of getting you to read this far.
