Erickson Hardware Closing!

Hi, my name is Mike. My father, Carl, ran a hardware store in Grafton, Mass. for over 60 years, but he passed away in May of this year at the age of 90 (God bless his soul). Since I am his only child, and my Mom passed away many years ago, the business was left for me to take care of, but I do not have the expertise to keep running the business for him. So sadly, I'm left with no choice but to dismantle the store, clean it out, and potentially sell off whatever valuables he had. It breaks my heart to do this, because it was his pride and joy.

The reason for this fundraiser is I have to cover expenses still left to pay - rent while the building is still occupied with the paint and hardware he has, remaining utility costs, and the money it will cost to have junk taken away to the dump and tools and products that need to be stored for potential sale at a much later date. You can just IMAGINE the stuff he's accumulated in over 60 years! And I have my doubts about selling anything he had. His work was his passion, but it's over my head, ro be honest. I was an accountant for a non-profit, not a social butterfly like he was in business!

My Dad was everything to me. I took care of him when he got sick from lung cancer - taking him to doctors and hospitals as he dealt with raidation treatments. The last 6-8 months were spent caring for him 24/7, by myself. But I'm not looking for sympathy, and I'm not looking to pay for any medical costs or his burial (the money he set aside covered that). But I am asking for a little help financially to cover these costs I never really planned for or thought about. I am on a fixed income (Social Security as I'm retired) so I don't have much wiggle room. Thus this small fundraiser.

My goal is low. I'll probably need more money than I've asked for, but I feel I should pay my part, whatever that is. I hope the legacy my Dad had in the community is remembered with fondness. I know he always did his best to serve the town well. He was a veteran of the Korean War, and was an active member of the Board of Appeals and of the American Legion. I loved him so much. Any assistance you can give is greatly appreciated. Thank you!