Charity request - got a friend in need of transportation

Vipergrün · 09-18-2010, 07:25 PM

Hello Pelicans.

I normally would not make a public request like this, but I really need to help my buddy. I know times are tough for a lot of folks.

He is a divorced, unemployed father of four, renting a room in a house and is having back trouble and cannot find work. He is on his last stint of unemployment. He is barely getting by, but is paying his child support and sacrificing his own needs. His Volvo wagon blew a head gasket several months ago and he decided to donate it because he could not afford to fix it. He currently has to bicycle everywhere and has to count on his ex to shuttle the kids.

This is really a sad story. They were the family who had everything, sold it all to do missions work in Tonga (set up a school), came back states-side and their life fell apart.

So, I thought I'd reach out to our Pelican community to see if any of you in, or near Surprise, AZ, have an extra car, a car you were planning on donating, a scooter, or anything which could help him get around, short or long term. He would freak if he knew I was posting this. He is a very skilled flooring installer and would probably barter too.

If any of you can do anything to help, please contact me offline via PM. At this point even prayers and positive thoughts are a great help.

Thanks for listening!!

cheers
-Brad

LeeH · 09-18-2010, 08:00 PM

What's his background? I don't have any extra cars handy, but as a member of my local Chamber of Commerce and small business consultant I do have numerous contacts in the Phoenix area.

Oh Haha · 09-18-2010, 08:40 PM

I can't help but I can bump the post. I hope your buddy gets a hand and can get going again.

Vipergrün · 09-18-2010, 10:59 PM

Thanks guys. I know this is a stretch.

He had been a professional flooring installer, owned his own business. Laminate, wood, linolium, etc. It's been years since he has done it, though, and with his back problems I don't know that he could do it. He loved doing missions work and has been doing lots of volunteer stuff. His desire is to get hired on with a church doing some sort of couple/kids ministry or something.

thanks for the bump

Joeaksa · 09-19-2010, 06:06 AM

Anything new on this? I do not have an extra car but....

He lives in Surprise?

Vipergrün · 09-19-2010, 08:42 AM

Hey Joe, yeah, he live in Surprise.

LeeH · 09-19-2010, 09:35 AM

That's going to be a tough one alright... building industry's not the best place to be right now, but if he's injured then that's probably not even an option.

I do know the pastor of a small church in Litchfield Park - 8-10 miles from Surprise. I think most mission/ministry work is on a volunteer basis.

I did find this on the church's web site:
https://www.angelfoodministries.com/
Sounds like they might be able to help him feed his family on the cheap.

Zeke · 09-19-2010, 09:42 AM

Well, if he had a car, he could sell flooring. Tough market, but that's why the best and experienced should be doing the selling.

I see he is close to the metro area which is good. You know, if he could get hooked up with a flooring company, they might pay the rent on a compact against his salary. With likely no insurance, this might be a good way to go for the time being. No repairs. Shoot, you can lease a number of cars for 200/mo.

I say if he's got a clean shirt and a tie (who wears ties and that's exactly the point), he could find work right away. I think I'd look over the local church's members for a flooring guy to start.

Vipergrün · 09-19-2010, 05:00 PM

Thanks for the recommendations guys. I'll pass this along.