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Roger's Family Relief Aid

This is about the great man that was a Father, a Husband and a genuinely kindhearted generous person.

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Roger's Family Relief Aid

Roger's Family Relief Aid

Roger's Family Relief Aid

Roger's Family Relief Aid

Roger's Family Relief Aid

This is about the great man that was a Father, a Husband and a genuinely kindhearted generous person.

This is about the great man that was a Father, a Husband and a genuinely kindhearted generous person.

This is about the great man that was a Father, a Husband and a genuinely kindhearted generous person.

This is about the great man that was a Father, a Husband and a genuinely kindhearted generous person.

Tom Fullenwider
Tom Fullenwider
Tom Fullenwider
Tom Fullenwider
1 Campaign |
Gulf Breeze, United States
$25 USD 3 backers
0% of $5,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal

My name is Tom and this is not something I would normally do and I still feel as if this may not be much, but I want to reach out and offer support for a family that I grew up with that basically adopted me in ways I could never forget by treating me like one of their own. Just recently the patriarch of the family has passed and due to my current situation with raising my own family I was unable to be very supportive or at least in ways I feel would be helpful as I live so far away now. This man by the name of Roger was more than just my best friend’s dad, he was my surrogate dad too and although my birth father is alive I feel as if I lost my one and only father in such a quick and unexpected way.

Roger recently passed away due to a severe brain trauma while assisting his eldest son with moving back in due to hard times. He was gone in a span of only 3 days after his accident. I will leave out the gritty details as this is not what this is about, but the legacy he has left behind with his kindness and self-sacrifice that he has offered my small single-mother only-child family and everyone he came into contact with.

When I was younger my mother made the difficult choice to pull away from my birth father and go it alone as she felt he was a poor influence on my life. This was a hard but valiant choice as it was certainly not an easy path. Until I was 8 or 9 I was usually at my babysitters during the day and became very independent so much that I was able to stay home after school and no longer needed a babysitter. During my 3rd year of school I befriended my now Best friend and subsequently his little brother who I also consider the very best friends in my entire life. We did things every young boys do by having sleepovers and playing video games for 3 days/nights straight without sleep etc(hopped up on soda and candy usually). During this time my mom worked night shift and did the best she could to get me into sports and after-school activities, but it was a struggle due to her crazy shift to support us with overtime. Roger took me in and brought me into a tradition that his father gave to him and one day I would like to pass on to my child(ren), Ice fishing. He was a carpenter by trade and with his spare time and materials would build things for his sons such as a stand-alone tree house that was nearly an apartment in the backyard and also what I would consider extravagant ice shacks that included insulation, multiple bunk beds, carpeting, and overall a "home" atmosphere away from home. Nearly every season we would go out on the lake and ice fish and this happened for 5+ years until I moved away when I was 15.

Over the years I have never lost contact with my 2 best friends, but our conversations did become less and less until this past year when I got married and my Mom flew them both down to be in the wedding as a surprise of which I was not even aware. This was the best wedding gift I could have received and it was such a happy time and things were looking good. We have been talking more and more ever since.

This family who I have come to be a part of has had a rough time over the past few years as Roger's wife has been struck with an illness of her eyes that has caused her to be legally blind and is still a problem after several surgeries. She has been a nurse for nearly two decades and when this occurred she simply could not work and Roger has supported her and picked up the slack. Now that he is gone that support has befallen on her sons who are doing everything they can to help her. It was somewhat convenient that the eldest son was moving back in anyway, but he has 2 children he also has to take care of.

I dream of winning the lottery and donating the majority of winnings to them because I know they have ridiculous medical bills and need support that I simply do not have with my living paycheck-to-paycheck to support my own family.

I know this may not go anywhere and could be lost on the internet, but on that one slight chance we could rally up and give them support I just have to take that chance and put myself out there for them.

I do not know where to even start with setting up something like a relief fund, but I figured I might as well get the story out and see where it goes because the love and kindness they showed me is something I would like to give back to their family because they are just ordinary people with extraordinarily large hearts.

It brings tears to my eyes as I write this and I had to get it off my chest somewhere that I feel would do some good rather than just getting "likes". I know plenty of people have a person in their life that they can relate this story to and even if nothing comes of this I know I attempted to do good by them beyond just telling them I am sorry for their loss as I know nothing can ever replace Roger.

They currently do not know I am doing this as I would like to be able to surprise them with it.

If anyone is able to make a donation of any sort I will be presenting them with a card with the list of people that also rallied for support and attempt to give them the card in person if possible. All proceeds will be going towards this amazing family.

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Thank you

$5 USD
If a name is given I will be listing all of those that have given support in a large card given to the family.
0 claimed

Thank you so much!

$50 USD
I will be listing your name(if provided) on the card given to the family with a short message(under 200 characters please).
0 claimed

You are ridiculously Amazing

$250 USD
I will be listing your name(if provided) on the card given to the family with unlimited text(within reason please) and a personal thank you card from myself.
0 claimed
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