Evan's Blog. Meh.

yellowonesdontstop:

A valued member of the Tumblr community is in need of our help.

Despair. Hopelessness. None of us are strangers to these feelings. We’ve all felt them at some point for many different reasons, each one incredibly valid to each of us.

This week, my good friend Ralph Helm and his family have experienced these emotions because they found out their primary family vehicle (a minivan that’s logged its share of miles) needs a new transmission to the tune of approximately $2000 (to repair) to $3000 (to replace). You can see Ralph’s explanation here.

This family of five has three young daughters, the youngest who only recently celebrated her five month birthday. Ralph’s wife, Stacie, works long, challenging hours as a nurse, and Ralph works from home doing media production via his own business, which has seen its share of the type of problems that come with owning your own business in today’s volatile economic climate.

But despite having to stretch their dollars like so many of us Americans these days, Ralph is always the first person to radiate a positive attitude, extend a hand to others or just offer whatever’s in his heart to whoever needs it.

Which is exactly why, when I saw how frustrated he has gotten over their run of luck in the past week, I knew he felt what we’ve ALL felt: despair and hopelessness.

Imagine not being able to take your family to get what it needs. Imagine not being able to (in Stacie’s case) get to work or (in Ralph’s case) get to client meetings. Add to this mess the fact that their other car (a small sedan that can’t safely fit all of them) seems to also be headed down the rabbit hole of automotive repairs, and it’s an incredibly frightening prospect to be a family with three very young children and no means of transportation.

We met Ralph through Tumblr, a microblogging site that is quick to say its difference lies in being more than just a dump box for our ramblings; we say it’s a community, and for many of us, a second family. Through Tumblr we have met some of the most caring and passionate people, and so it would be amazing if we could put our money where our avatars are and help one of our own.

Think about how easily their nightmare could be any of ours. In this economy, any unexpected cost could without question derail our lives. In this situation in particular, not having a working vehicle is detrimental to this family’s ability to both make a living and to live.

To many, especially Ralph and his family, two thousand dollars is a lot. But to a community of millions, two thousand dollars goes from being an insurmountable goal for one family to being an incredibly feasible one for a small percentage of us.

It’s so easy to read about someone’s plight on your dashboard, and say, “I wish I could do something.” Well, this is your chance. There is no doubt in my mind that together we can do this. I know that Ralph and his family will greatly appreciate any help they can get, so please, just give whatever you’re able to. In the end, any little amount will help make such a big difference.

If you’d like to donate, please click through or go here.

If you’re unable to donate, please reblog to help us spread the word.

Let’s get this family back on the road people.