Ron Ballard; dad, grandpa, uncle and friend

Family and friends,

Our father / grandfather / uncle / friend Ronald Ballard has recently been given notice to vacate his current residence as the landlord is selling the property. At the same time that this major event is happening, his Jeep threw its timing chain.

Ron turned 80 this year and his physical condition with stage 4 COPD, and his bad knees and back make it difficult to walk, so his condition is such that he requires frequent check-ins (wellness, food, laundry, etc.) which Mark and Rae (son and daughter-in-law) have taken responsibility for over the last 6 years. Mark and Rae have spent the last 6 weeks trying to find housing for Ron near enough to them for these required check-ins and affordable enough to be covered by Ron’s Social Security. If you have looked at the cost of rents lately, you know this has NOT been an easy task on a low-income senior budget. As well as the housing that Ron will be moving into is needing some pretty major renovations - fully draining all of them of their financial resources as well as time. The property is almost ready but at this point requires professional assistance for the last few details.

(The 55+ property is located in Northeast Alabama just a few miles over the Northwest Georgia line with a cute little front sitting porch 30ft from Lake Weiss at only $500/month plus utilities! It really is a beautiful and peaceful surroundings)

The status of Ron’s Jeep being repairable is currently unknown. As you may know, when the timing chain goes sometimes it takes the whole engine with it. (We’re all hopeful that’s not the case!) He will be 50 miles from his closest family so, at worst, in the case of an emergency or at best for his health with daily activity like going to the grocery store - a vehicle is non-negotiable.

Please consider donating whatever amount you are comfortable with so that we can finalize this move for Ron. He’s a tough, hardheaded, big-hearted son-of-a-gun who doesn’t require much but at the very least deserves a sense of peace in his golden years which we are doing our best to help provide.

Thank you for your consideration of our family and for the care of a quite frail elderly person. I hope someone, like you, does the same for all of us when we reach the same point in our lives.

- NB

100% of any and all proceeds collected will go directly to Ron and will be used to get him set-up at his new “lake house”, towards repairs on his Jeep, groceries needed, etc...