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30 years of Santa, bend oregon h

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Hi, many people know me from being Santa in bend oregon. Many from my artist in residency in schools. And many know me from selling my puppets at festivals. My real name is William Walther. I've had an unbelievable great life touching so many families in so many ways. It is hard to walk down the street without seeing those smiles when they see me. So why am I asking for help. A set of circumstances and opportunities. At the age of 77 years. Yes. My real age. I again started to be Santa in Redmond. Not to be. On December 3rd I got covid pneumonia. I'm sure from my little friends. It was not a good thing. Not able to sell my puppets at festivals or be Santa for two years hurt my funds. Still I was OK. Then my pneumonia came. For 4 months I could not get out of my chair. Except when nessasary. I tried once to go get my mail. Almost wasn't able to make it back into my house. Had the 911 ambulance ride. Was on oxygen until end of April. Showed no sign of improvement until end of March. Being Santa I was and am too heavy. Came with my job. So here I was way out in burns oregon. Weak, no income, no person who would help care for me. My bills piling up. And I took a long hard look at my options. I know that with my little $750 a month ss. I could not make it financially here anymore. I could when I was well and a little younger. I can hardly set my booth up now. In the past I had sponsored a few families in the Philippines. Fixing teeth, leaking roofs. So my many friends their offered to have me come and they would look out for me. Problem was I needed a place there. So I bought a house. Put $5,000 down on it, total is, was, only $35,000. In a gated community. Put my house up for sale, a buyer signed papers. I had an estate sale, sold my complete booth and My truck. So now I only owed about $8,000. Then while I'm sitting here in my home, with one easy chair that I was in for 4 months, and a Costco cot I sleep on and two pots, a can opener, and two each of knife. Fork and spoons. My realtor said the buyer backed out. So now I am like 20 days from losing my new home because it's due September 1st, and my home here will only give me the essentials of what I needed to have to travel to my new home. Now after paying bills and what's left on the mortgage here, I am really up a creek. I'll lose it and not have enough for another place there. And really unable to now at my age to make a living. So anyone out there that remembers the times I spent with your family. I ask for your help. And I am saddened that I need to. But if I can retire there on my ss. I will be able to continue to be blessed. Thank you for listening to me.
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Donations 

  • Lisa Jordan
    • $100
    • 2 yrs
  • Ken Brown
    • $20
    • 2 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $20
    • 2 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $10
    • 2 yrs
  • SUSAN PUDDY
    • $100
    • 2 yrs
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Organizer

William Walther
Organizer
Burns, OR

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