Wayne and Cheryl Harper

A few years ago, we moved into a new neighborhood and were welcomed by a sweet old man, Wayne Harper.  As time went on, and we continued to work on our property, anytime we were outside working, Wayne would swing by in his John Deer Gator and offer his assistance, tools, and knowledge. Over 2 years later, we now see Wayne and his wife Cheryl as family.

 

They married later in life, and have no children. Cheryl is a retired, 30-year post office worker. She likes to sew, garden, and cook. She enjoys our kids coming to help plant flowers and garden. She is always looking for sewing and quilting projects she can make and give as gifts. Wayne is an old cowboy and likes to help anyone in anyway he can, and share cold beer and wisdom. He is always excited to share their tomatoes and broccoli from their garden. He has even surprised us by mowing our lawn if we get behind on it.

 

In the summer of 2021, they finally went on a much-deserved vacation to Florida for a family wedding. While at the beach, Cheryl’s femur unexpectedly broke, leaving them in the hospital, and away from home for weeks. After further testing, she was diagnosed with an incredibly rare form of bone cancer, which they have been fighting tirelessly for the past year. Wayne has been taking care of Cheryl, the house, and the land solo for the past year, doing his best to keep their spirits up.  He is by her side 24/7, helping with everyday tasks because the cancer has and threatens to break other bones if she tries to do too much. Being retired and on a fixed income, the added cost of doctors visits and treatments is slowly eating away at their savings.

 

On top of all this, a few weeks ago a monsoon storm hit and uprooted a large tree, smashing it into her greenhouse, garden and his tool shed.

 

The tree has since been cleaned up, and the mangled greenhouse removed. All that is left is an old, rusted, smashed in shed, as a symbol of how challenging the past year has gone. Wayne has always dreamed of upgrading the old rusty shed with a new Tuff Shed to protect his gardening equipment. Unfortunately their 30-year farm insurance plan does not cover these structures. This fundraiser is intended to revive the joy of their shared retirement by surprising them with a gift card to Tuff Shed. $5k will give him his dream shed, and anything more will help them repair their garden area and greenhouse.   More than this, it sends a message that there are people out there who are as kind-hearted and willing to help as they are.

Any amount of giving and positive, encouraging words and comments that we can share with them would be greatly appreciated.