Help Jim Fuller Rebuild
For those of you that know my uncle, Jim Fuller, on a personal level you know that there are no words that can begin to describe what a truly amazing person he is. But for those of you that don't I will try to give you an idea...
My uncle has been a resident of Monmouth Beach for 53 out of his 58 years. He has lived at 13 River Avenue for all of those 53 years. He attended Monmouth Beach Elementary School from which he gradutaed from in 1970, and attanded Shore Regional High School which he graduated from in 1974. Soon after he suffered a tragic accident on November 8, 1974 during his freshmen year at Rutgers University. He spent the next 3 months in NYU Hospital and the following 6 months in Rusk Rehab. Although he was a quadriplegic and would never walk again he taught himself how to drive again and in 1979 went to work for the Monmouth Beach Boro Hall where he would eventaully become the Tax Collector and CFO until his retirement in 2012. 33 years of serive.
What I forgot to mention is that while he was dealing with his own tradgedy and relearning things that were once so simple to him my sister Linda and I were born, she in 1979 and I in 1981. My mother and father moved back into my family home at 13 River Avenue and my uncle, who is more like a second father to us than an uncle, was kept very busy by the two of us. He would probably tell you that he's blessed to have us in his life but the truth is, there is no way I would be the person that I am today if it weren't for him. He has tought me so much, most importanly to never give up. What he has been through in his life is something I can't even begin to fathom but what is even more amazing is that through it all he has remaind possitive and put other people's needs before his own. He is without a doubt the smartest, most generous, kind hearted person I have ever met and I am truly blessed to cal him my uncle. He is irreplacable, my kindred spirit and my heart. He has given so much for others for so long which is why I am asking anyone that is reading this to help me give back to him for once.
He has no idea I am writing this and when he finds out he is going to be very upset with me. The last thing he wants is anyone to pitty him. But like I explained to him tonight, no one is ofering to help because they pitty him, they are doing it because they love him and genuinely want to help.
I can't begin to thank all of the friefighters, police, first aid and towns people that have made the last 24 hours somewhat bearable. Without all of you the events of this morning may have turned out very differently. Monmouth Beach is an amazingly close knit town and my family is truly grateful for all that everyone has already done.
My goal on this gofundme page is set at $1 because whether you donate money, clothes, your time and or services, a shoulder to cry on or simply an ear to listen, believe me it appreciated more than I can begin to explain. The sad fact is my uncle had no homeowners insurance and the house is a total loss. I would love for him to be able to rebuild his home but even if that's not in the cards I want you all to know that my family and especially my uncle will be forever grateful for everything that every one of you have done.