Mortal Storm - Charity Drive

(This story will be updated on a daily basis as it progresses through November 2008.)

There is a scourge ravaging the United States and the blind eyes of its wealthy citizens has compelled me to write this entry in the hope that we can stave off yet another disaster.  With each passing day, it grows worse and the following story is but one example of what happens when greed and complacency, political malfeasance, and an “it’s all about number one” attitude permeates the world.  It is a story that many people will be able to relate to, which makes the story all the more tragic.  The names have been changed to protect the innocent.

Living in a city like Rapid City, South Dakota is akin to living in any other mid-western city with a population of approximately 100,000 people.  Men, women, and children awake in the morning and prepare for their day; each with great expectations of events to come.  They leave their homes, travel to their schools and jobs, and live their lives.  Yet, so many are unable to complain about the daily grind.  The reason?  They are either homeless or nearing homelessness.

The Past

Take, for example, the Johnson family.  Growing up, the family was relatively average; a husband, a wife, and two sons.  The husband was a hard-working law enforcement officer.  The mother had previously worked for the Federal Government and was now caring for the family’s children.  They never denied charity to any person or cause, even going so far as to take money out of their own wallets to do so.  Sadly, the good Samaritanism of this family would not be reciprocated in the future and would lead to a present-day crisis.

Disaster Strikes

One day in the 1980s, disaster struck this family.  The husband was injured and would require a spinal operation.  Things worsened as a few years later, the husband was forced to have a second spinal operation.  With the husband in a handicapped state, the wife and mother was forced to take any job that came along.  They kept their head above the rolling tide of poverty for years in this fashion; never living beyond their means, always trying to save as much as possible.

Today

Unexpected expenses had left the family with no money.  The checking accounts had been wiped out and savings accounts no longer existed.  The son, who had relocated with his parents to help them financially, could no longer perform that function.  The economy had soured to the point that he could no longer receive even the simplest of consulting contracts.  They called his brother on November 1, 2008 and asked for the one thing that could help them through the Month of November, $600 for the rent.  Although they would only be able to subsist on food this month, and the approaching December would be just as difficult, they would have a roof over their heads.  Sadly, the brother, although far better off than they were, was unable to grant their request.  Now, they face being forced onto the street; what few belongings they have, tossed into a dumpster.

Call For Help : Project Mortal Storm - A Charity Drive

How can we allow this to happen?  This family of kind souls, faced with a dire consequence, needs a small amount to stay afloat.  Today, I send this urgent request out into to the world.  I ask, from the deepest part of my heart, that you rally to the charge and help this family with me.  By providing a donation via the PayPal donation button on the left hand side of this page, we can stop this atrocity from happening to one family that we should embrace and cherish.  This is Operation Mortal Storm.  Expect to see this project popping up across the Web.