Moving Toward What I am Meant to Do

Thanks for taking the time to read and consider this request.

I was born and raised in the city of New Albany, Indiana, and other than four years I honorably served in the United States Marine Corps, I have lived in or near this city all of my life.

I worked construction for a little over 18 years after getting out of the Marine Corps, but dropped it all when I decided to go to college in an attempt to better my life and that of my family. I graduated in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts in history from Indiana University Southeast, and began looking for work in my field.

Unfortunately, I quickly discovered there is not much work available in this area with such a degree, and so I began substitute teaching, thinking it would only be for a short time. That short time became almost 15 years.

The stress associated with that job became too much for me, especially after having suffered three heart attacks, and I quit in December of 2014. I have worked a couple of jobs since then, but they only paid $10 an hour, meaning my wife and I have pretty much lived pay check to pay check with the wolves constantly at the door despite the fact we both have degrees, degrees that came with a high price tag.
 
I have been offered a job in Savannah, Georgia that has full benefits, great wages, and, best of all, is a job that will allow me to utilize my talents to their fullest while earning a decent living.

In 2009, I began hosting my own haunted history tours in New Albany, and they have been well received. I have been featured several times in local newspapers and on television, and the tours have always been popular.

Here's a link to the FB page I created about my "Nefarious New Albany Haunted History" tours.

https://www.facebook.com/WickedNewAlbany/

Many of you have been on my tours, and while some of you have attended only the free ones, many of you have been on both the free ones and the paid ones. Some of you have been on all my tours, and of those who have some of you have done so more than once.

You know I am good at this stuff. I love entertaining people. I have heard you remark that I had “found my calling”, and I think you’re right. Heck, I love it so much I hosted those free tours, two of which had more than 100 guests in attendance, simply for the enjoyment I received.

Unfortunately, despite requests throughout the year by individuals curious as to when I would host another tour, I can’t do these tours year round as there is simply not enough tourism to support such an effort. I know. I’ve tried.

Monday, I was offered a job as a tour guide in Savannah, Georgia. I will host both historic and haunted tours, as well as receive full benefits, while doing something for a living that I love to do. Most importantly, my age isn’t an issue in this job.

I made the trip there and back for the interview, 1,600 miles in three hectic days on a shoestring budget. I even camped out in the primitive part of a campground where my tent was not far from a swamp, surrounded by almost jungle-like growth while some major thunder storms passed throughout the night.

That’s how important this opportunity is to me. This job will allow me to contribute to my family’s financial well-being. While I understand most Go Fund Me campaigns are for illnesses, deaths, or other life altering events, this campaign could well be included in the category of life altering events because this  truly is a life changing opportunity for me.

The major obstacle we face is the cost of moving there. Not only will there be the costs of physically moving our belongings from here to there, (and though we intend to sell much of our stuff, there will still be some things we must have), there will also be deposits on everything from utility services and on any home or apartment we would need to rent. Buying isn’t an option. As I stated, we have been living pay check to pay check.

But this move could change that someday down the road… IF we can get down there.

I have a guaranteed job, one that will allow me to earn more than four times what I earn now.

You may be thinking, “If this is so important, why don’t you just work and save until you have enough?”

First, the job opening isn’t going to last forever, but probably most importantly the job I currently work will end in October, and we won’t be able to save enough to make the move if this is my only income until that time. Like I said, we stay one check ahead of the wolves despite the fact we both work full time jobs. We’re doing good to keep our noses just above the water, but that will change IF we can make the move.

Every dollar will help me attain my goal, and your contributions can be made anonymously. If all you can or are willing to send is a dollar, please know we will appreciate your generosity.

In closing, let me thank you for getting this far without clicking off. I’d also like to take this opportunity in advance to thank those of you who help us make this major change in bettering our life.

Rest assured, your kindness and generosity will be paid forward at every opportunity. That’s a philosophy I have always followed when and where I could, and one I will continue to follow when and where I can…no matter how this turns out.