Bring Bud Home

***UPDATE***

This past weekend, Bud experienced the immense loss of losing his daughter suddenly. He was unable to be in touch with her before she passed, and now he’s grieving her death while incarcerated. He wants to see his grandchildren and family and be with them in this difficult time. He’s working on being granted leave from the institution he’s in, but it will cost $1,500 or more (because prisons ask prisoners to cover the cost of guard accompaniment, etc.). We’re now raising money to allow him to be at his daughter’s funeral and wake. Please contribute what you can to support Bud in this difficult time. Thank you so much.

My friend Bud is a kind, thoughtful, sweet, and faithful man who loves to make people smile. He’s a father, a grandfather, and a friend to many. He’s been in the Chicago community for decades and can name friends he’s got in every neighborhood, who he’s known for years and shared so many memories with and continues to stay in touch with even while incarcerated. Bud is a firm believer in God, and has taught me so much about keeping one’s faith in difficult situations and trusting where the world takes you. He always reminds me and his friends inside that even if this world can feel depressing, there is so much beauty in it and that we have to remember all the natural goodness in it. When I was finishing up my last semester at college, Bud was by my side supporting me and encouraging me to stick with my studies. We share art, recipes, stories, jokes, books, spirituality, and a lot of love that he calls our ‘kindredship’. He deserves all that kindness in return, but he is not receiving the support and care he deserves while incarcerated- he had back surgery several years ago and continues to have back issues that are incredibly difficult to deal with while in a cell. He has the chance to come home from prison 25 years earlier than expected if he’s able to hire an attorney for his post conviction, and all that’s standing between him and the chance to come home is the legal fees. We need $15,000 for the half deposit for the attorney, and will continue to raise past that for a payment plan to cover the other half. Bud deserves to be back with his family doing what he loves the most– cooking, gardening, playing with his grandchildren, and bringing his shining light to those around him. Imagine what 25 years of freedom means to you, and please consider contributing to his fund to come home and sharing it as much as you can.