Joe A's support (adding to $3120 raised June '22)

Hello, friends of Joe,

In July 2022 this GoFundMe page raised over $3,120 for Joe A, whom many of you know personally. Those funds, along with two separate generous offers that brought our total raised to $5,000) have been put to good use and Joe is immensely grateful for the support. In addition to financial contributions, many of you have supported him by visiting the camp, offering to drive him to doctor's appointments, coordinating medical appointments, repairing his hut, and sending messages of love. What a gift!

As of winter 2023-24, he's doing pretty well. He is still in the camp, welcoming visitors and generally managing his own care, which includes cooking some days and eating warm food that friends have cooked for him on other days. And yet, despite his resilience and positivity, his overall health has declined with age. At the moment, he is navigating specific medical challenges that threaten his ability to walk and feel his hands and feet, and for the next 2-3 months he'll be facing colder winter weather.

This note includes both a summary of how the 2022-23 campaign contributions were put to use, and a look forward to 2024, including a request for another round of support. [NOTE: As we begin round 2 of this fundraiser, the total raised is listed as $3,120. All of that came in summer 2022. In Jan., 2024 we are editing the goal to $7,000, in order to add approx. $4,000 to the original donations.]

2022-2023 summary:

Your generous contributions were essential for Joe's care team on the ground in ATL to provide medication, insulation and siding to keep his hut warm, a phone, food, wood/charcoal/propane for cooking and warmth, and to cover a number of other small costs such as parking when he's driven to doctor's appointments. With rents high, we have been unable to find him longterm housing; he also maintains a interested in staying at the camp as long as possible.

Approximately $600 remains in his account and during the coldest months of winter, with a hot summer to follow, we anticipate that he may need to move into an extended stay hotel for a week here and there. We're keeping a close eye on forecasts and we speak/text with him/see several times a week.

Below is the description of Joe we used for the GoFundMe page in 2022. Everything we wrote about this wonderful man then is true today, so most of the remaining words will look familiar :).

Thank you for your consideration!

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Most everyone would describe Joe A. as an eternally generous, joyful, and sage man who has taught us significant lessons about how much our experience in life depends on our perception of it. We can sometimes forget how lucky we are to have such a beautiful friend in our lives, and then we visit him, reconnect, and come away, shaking our heads at his fortitude and wisdom.

This page represents a fundraising effort to support Joe during the months ahead, as winter weather rolls in. Across the three decades we've known him, he has lived very humbly, growing much of his food and sheltering in a location with no running water, electricity, or HVAC. This year, he's facing questions about his ability to remain a resident of "the camp", given his declining health and age. The physical challenges of splitting wood, walking to the street for supplies, and cooking are at points overwhelming him, especially when it gets cold. Therefore, we are seeking to pool our resources to support him.

The total amount needed to get Joe through the next year is estimated at $4,000. Funds will be managed by Elizabeth and Tim. Those who bring Joe food regularly and cover his phone bill will continue to do so, although we also welcome volunteers to make trips to the camp.

We have three requests of Joe's supporters:

(1) Please consider donating, no matter the size. If for any reason, the funds we raise cannot be used for their intended purpose, we'll circle back around to each donor to reconsider their use.

(2) Let us know if you'd like to join the team of folks visiting him regularly to provide social support and supplies.

(3) If you know of an appropriate apartment/living space, please get in touch with Elizabeth at [email redacted]. His requests/needs are minimal: privacy within his own bedroom, a small kitchen area--hot plate and mini-fridge are adequate--, HVAC and electricity, easy access to the outdoors without requiring the use of stairs, and a bathroom.

When Joe's needs dictate a move indoors, you'll surely hear from us again as we seek funds for such, as well as donations of furnishings and kitchen equipment.

Thanks, friends!

-The Herbert-Roberts family, Eisen Family, & Hearn-Harrison family