My grandpa Gary is 86 years old, a U.S. veteran, and one of the kindest people you’ll ever meet.

In October 2024 we lost my grandmother. They had built a life together and after she passed, everything changed for him. Living on Social Security alone, he hasn’t been able to afford to stay in their home, and since then he’s been doing his best to get by, quietly moving between family members’ homes and never once asking for help.

That’s just who my grandpa is. He’s independent, humble, and has always taken pride in taking care of himself and the people around him.

But now those temporary living situations are no longer an option, and he needs to find a place of his own.

The difficult part is that he really needs to stay close to the Jacksonville Beach area. His doctors are here, his church community is here, and he has a routine that keeps him active, social, and healthy. He’s no longer able to drive on the highway, so being within 10–15 minutes of everything he relies on is incredibly important for his independence and well-being.

Unfortunately, rent in this area is simply more than he can afford on his fixed income.

He would never feel comfortable asking for help himself. In fact, he doesn’t even know I’m doing this (so if you know him personally, you better not tell him!) But he deserves to feel safe, stable, and at home during this stage of his life.

This fundraiser is to help cover housing costs and give him the ability to stay in the community he knows, maintain his routine, and continue living with dignity and independence.

I’m currently in nursing school and working toward being able to support him myself in the near future. Right now, I’m covering my education on my own, so I’m doing what I can to bridge this gap and make sure he’s okay in the meantime.

If you’re able to give or even just share this, it truly means more than I can say. Thank you for taking the time to read his story and for supporting someone who has spent his life caring for others.