Again FIRST off THANK YOU so much for the kindness you have shown this family . They cannot believe and really understand how so many strangers could reach out to complete strangers and give them so much . I also want to apologize for the lack of communication to all of you . I am up here in Northern Michigan , with my wife and 3 boys at our cottage , on vacation and working a lot of the time from here . I am also trying to keep these kids , 20, 18 and 16 busy as well ! So here is where we are at ......
We have raised over 17,000 dollars from the GoFundMe site . The town of Hillman had a couple of collection jars raise a few hundred dollars in cash , which was given to the family , put into their bank account and they immediately lost their food stamps , as I guess the Social Services , monitored their account and froze the food stamps until they spent the money ! I say this to you as I am new to all of this .
So my brother ( retired Wealth Broker from Merrill of 40 years who hired the Dad as I had mentioned ) his neighbor who has not only hired the Dad but helped the family a lot , another person who has hired the Dad a lot , The fathers Uncle and the Mom and Dad of the little boy , and myself are all meeting today to set up a plan for the family going forward . I would LIKE to say again your caring has surprised me , but it hasn't . I will leave it at that ......not to sound stupid but it makes one emotional , to just sit back and see what good, caring people do for others , and this place is incredible .
I do want to say , that folks have given 5,10 , 20 dollars saying they WISH they could give more . This is such an example of giving , and in addition , we have had clothes offered for the 5 year old girl , and the parents , and that too is such a help , along with a Fort member contact me to offer to rent a place for the family for SEVERAL months , and has contacted me a few times asking for an update !
So after todays meeting I will keep you updated , as we try to setup a place for them to stay , and sort out the best way for the funds to get to the family and avoid losing the little bit of assistance they now receive . I will update by the weeks end . IF any of you have questions , you can email me at :
tom.ofarrell@rbc.com
THANKS AND GO BLUE !
We have raised over 17,000 dollars from the GoFundMe site . The town of Hillman had a couple of collection jars raise a few hundred dollars in cash , which was given to the family , put into their bank account and they immediately lost their food stamps , as I guess the Social Services , monitored their account and froze the food stamps until they spent the money ! I say this to you as I am new to all of this .
So my brother ( retired Wealth Broker from Merrill of 40 years who hired the Dad as I had mentioned ) his neighbor who has not only hired the Dad but helped the family a lot , another person who has hired the Dad a lot , The fathers Uncle and the Mom and Dad of the little boy , and myself are all meeting today to set up a plan for the family going forward . I would LIKE to say again your caring has surprised me , but it hasn't . I will leave it at that ......not to sound stupid but it makes one emotional , to just sit back and see what good, caring people do for others , and this place is incredible .
I do want to say , that folks have given 5,10 , 20 dollars saying they WISH they could give more . This is such an example of giving , and in addition , we have had clothes offered for the 5 year old girl , and the parents , and that too is such a help , along with a Fort member contact me to offer to rent a place for the family for SEVERAL months , and has contacted me a few times asking for an update !
So after todays meeting I will keep you updated , as we try to setup a place for them to stay , and sort out the best way for the funds to get to the family and avoid losing the little bit of assistance they now receive . I will update by the weeks end . IF any of you have questions , you can email me at :
tom.ofarrell@rbc.com
THANKS AND GO BLUE !
