Help a Veteran Dad Get Back on the Road — and Back to Work
Sometimes a family doesn't need someone to solve all of their problems.
They just need one obstacle removed so they can start solving them themselves.
That's why I'm asking our community to help this young family get a reliable vehicle.
Chris is a United States Marine Corps veteran, husband, and father with more than 25 years of experience in residential and commercial construction and carpentry. He grew up around his family's construction business, spent years as a foreman, and at one point was a top carpenter for a large commercial construction company.
But about five years ago, Chris had major shoulder surgery requiring four pins. The physical demands of full-time construction became much harder, so he did what hardworking people do when life changes course:
He found another way to provide for his family.
Chris began working delivery jobs through Shipt, Uber and Amazon Flex. And he didn't just dabble in it.
He completed more than 5,000 Shipt orders, maintained an excellent customer rating, and was earning approximately $50,000 a year doing delivery work.
Then transportation problems brought everything to a halt.
One bad break after another
After their previous vehicle reached the point where it wasn't worth putting more money into, the family used their tax refund to purchase a used hybrid vehicle, believing they had solved their transportation problem.
The car lasted one week.
They learned it needed an approximately $14,000 hybrid battery—far more than they could possibly afford. Ultimately, they had to scrap that vehicle too.
Now Chris has access to work through Shipt, Uber and Amazon Flex—but no vehicle to do it with.
That's the heartbreaking part.
The work is there.
The experience is there.
The willingness to work is absolutely there.
The vehicle isn't.
There's another important part of this family's story
Chris and his wife are raising their children, including their young daughter Haley, who is nonverbal autistic and has additional support needs.
Because Haley needs a parent with her when she isn't in school, the family's ability to have both parents working full-time is limited.
Reliable transportation isn't simply a convenience for this family. It means Chris can work, the children can get where they need to go, and the family can regain some stability and independence.
They currently have an e-bike, but as you can imagine, that severely limits how far Chris can travel and doesn't make delivery work—or transporting a family—realistically possible.
They have also received temporary assistance with rent and electricity through a local organization working with veterans, but that assistance will not last indefinitely.
This is their opportunity to get ahead before that help runs out.
That's why I'm asking our community for a hand up.
The goal of this fundraiser is simple:
Help this family purchase a safe, dependable used vehicle so Chris can get back to work.
We're not looking for anything fancy.
We're looking for something reliable enough to get him back on the road earning an income and helping support his family.
Funds raised will go toward:
- Purchasing a dependable used vehicle
- Registration, title and associated costs
- Insurance/start-up expenses
- Any immediate repairs or maintenance necessary to make the vehicle safe and reliable
If we raise more than is needed for the vehicle itself, the remaining funds will be used to help the family with transportation-related expenses and essential household needs while Chris gets back to earning a steady income.
This isn't a handout. It's a hand up.
I've spoken with this family and what struck me most is that they're not asking someone else to support them indefinitely.
Chris wants to work.
He has the experience.
He has a proven work history.
He has delivery opportunities waiting for him.
He simply needs the wheels to do it.
Imagine what could happen if enough of us gave just $10, $20 or $25.
One reliable used vehicle could change the trajectory of this entire family.
And if you're unable to donate, please share this fundraiser. The person who sees your share might be the person who knows someone with an affordable vehicle—or who can contribute enough to put us over the finish line.
It really does take a village sometimes.
Let's be that village. ❤️
Thank you for reading, donating, sharing, praying, or simply helping us get the word out.
Every little bit gets Chris one mile closer to getting back to work—and this family one step closer to standing on their own again.
