Stand with Paul: A Veteran's Plea for Help

UPDATE: We are almost halfway to our goal. We appreciate all the donors and pray they are all blessed 100 times over. Every little bit helps so if you find it in your heart to help us along, it would be greatly appreciated.

Hello. My name is Paul and I am a 76 year old veteran who served 8 years in the Navy during the Viet Nam era. I have been retired for 9 years and living on Social Security and 10% disability from the VA. That, in itself, can typically support me but with little left over for any expenses beyond monthly bills.

My best friend for over 35 years who is like a brother to me, shares a home with me. He started a resale business ten years ago but due to declining sales in the small town where his business was located, he had to close the business in February. Most of the proceeds from the sale of his remaining stock was used to pay off debts incurred over the past couple of years in business. When his business was thriving he contributed his income to afford us a comfortable life. And when we could, we helped others who were in need by paying for someone's meal, or groceries, or getting a sandwich for someone begging on the streets.

But now it is difficult for either of us to find employment. I'm 76 with COPD and he's 60 with health problems that he cannot afford to get medical help for. He creates floral arrangements and we are attempting to sell these online as well as flea markets and craft fairs, etc. However, he needs to have money to restock to continue building an inventory.

We need to get our vehicles registered in NC after moving from SC. We also need to get our 2 year old dog (which has been a Godsend to us) to his checkup as soon as possible because mosquito season is arriving and he must be tested for heart worms and get preventative meds.

Presently we can barely afford to put food on our table and are selling many of our personal and household items to get by. But those resources are limited.

I'm appealing for assistance to get us through these trying times -- at least until one or both of us can find some means of earning some income. Any contributions will be greatly appreciated which, hopefully, we will be able to pay forward to others in the future.

May God bless you all.