What about Bob? When the helper needs helping...
I have often remarked to others about the generosity of Greene County people. I have seen, time and time again, the people of this county rally together to help one of our own, regardless of the situation. Today, I call upon that generosity to help Bob.
Bob Turner, whom I wrote about almost exactly a year ago in Senior Connections, is an 80-something-year-old with the biggest heart and the kindest soul a person could ever hope to meet, and I feel lucky that I did.
Bob, in his retirement years, works with the Bloomfield-Eastern Greene County Public Library as an Outreach Coordinator, spending his days driving literally from one end of Greene County to another, delivering books, magazines, DVD’s and other library materials to homebound Greene Countians, picking up the materials they have finished with as he goes. Bob also works with the Greene County Literacy Coalition, visiting Head Start locations with Beth Burcham and reading stories to the kids there. Sometimes a kid from Head Start will recognize Bob in public, and that’s one of his favorite things.
Bob ALSO maintains the county’s Little Libraries, visiting each one to deliver fresh titles, check customer counts and maintain the repair and cleanliness of each one. Simply put, Bob Turner puts in more hours than any 85-year-old person I know, and I greatly respect what he does and why he does it.
Now, for the tough part where I ask you to join me to help Bob. Recently, Bob’s previously-trusty little Ford gave up the ghost. The car was vital to Bob’s activities in Greene County due to the very mobile nature of his work. Without a car, Bob simply can’t work.
Most of what Bob does for the library is voluntary. He loves people, has a strong faith in God and says that faith is what put his cancer in remission. Faith could not, however, put his medical bills in remission, and so Bob lives on very little and has no money to buy a car.
Bloomfield-Eastern Greene County Public Library Director Austin Stroud (Bob’s boss), reached out to me to fill me in on the situation and to see if I had any ideas that could help Bob.
I told Austin I will do anything I can to help, and you’re reading the result right now.
I have contacted Hand Picked Cars, which is where I bought my car in May (Five stars, most recommended!), and owner Pat Hand said she too will help in any way she can. Oddly enough, Pat had sold Bob’s daughter a used car and remembered her as well as Bob.
Pat is on the lookout for something priced from $1,000-$2,000 that will put Bob back in the driver’s seat, and Austin Stroud has created a GoFundMe account for the car’s purchase (https://www.gofundme.com/help-bob-get-back-on-the-road).
I am asking my readers to give what they can, even a $5 drop will fill that bucket if enough of you drips donate (see what I did there?).
In the name of Greene County generosity, love of reading, the Little Library program, big-hearted old guys who give so much, the remission of cancer, in whatever way you can relate to the plight of this humble and pure-hearted man, can you spare a buck to help?
Plenty of you, I know, would love to but don’t have the means. To you, I ask for good wishes, prayers and that you wish us luck as we try to help Bob. To those who are able to donate, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
If you visit the GoFundMe page, Austin has added links to the story I wrote about Bob a year ago. If you have time, check it out. It has more info about this sweet man and will go a long way in explaining why I feel so strongly about helping him.
Thanks for reading, donating, praying and wishing us luck. I will keep you all posted :-)
Patti
- -- Posted by weewire on Sat, Jul 21, 2018, at 2:35 PM
- -- Posted by pattidanner on Sat, Jul 21, 2018, at 2:45 PM
- -- Posted by weewire on Sat, Jul 21, 2018, at 2:46 PM
- -- Posted by Bloomfield Library on Sat, Jul 21, 2018, at 7:05 PM
- -- Posted by weewire on Mon, Jul 23, 2018, at 11:57 PM
- -- Posted by just sayin'... on Tue, Jul 31, 2018, at 2:30 PM
- -- Posted by Bloomfield Library on Fri, Aug 3, 2018, at 9:53 PM
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