I'm writing to you on behalf of Richard and Ritchie Sheeler. They are father and son, lifelong members of the Ojai community and they have fallen on some hard times lately. Richard began developing diabetes several years ago and as the disease has progressed it has impacted his ability to work. Things got a lot harder this year when he needed heart valve replacement surgery and that left him facing a long recovery period during which he was completely unable to work. More recently, his blood sugar levels have been increasingly difficult to manage, resulting in multiple, prolonged hospitalizations.

His son, Ritchie, has been living with and helping his dad for several years, contributing financially and offering family support. This is what children are supposed to do for their parents, but the financial need has grown beyond what he can manage alone. Bills have piled up and now they are facing possible foreclosure on the family home. We can't let this happen. Our elders need housing stability, especially when they are facing health challenges.

The family has a plan in place to get caught up with the loan and from there to remain current, but they need your help to meet unexpected medical bills and past due home loan payments. This is why I am coming to you with this plea. Please help keep this father and son duo together in their family home and help them navigate this difficult time.

Ritchie is doing everything he can to help make and raise money to help his dad. He is a skilled metal and glass artist and has produced many beautiful creations for residents of Ojai. You can find his work adorning some of the finest houses in the Valley. He is also a skilled tradesman who can do pretty much anything on a house or car. He's an honest, hardworking man who is doing his best to support his dad through really tough times.

If you are able to make a donation, know that 100% of what you donate goes to the family, through this platform. If you can't donate, please consider hiring Ritchie to help you. If you can't do either of those things, please just share this fundraiser with a little statement about why you care about this family. Every little bit counts. We have until December 18th to help this family.