For Stew...

Help is needed for one of our own. (S&H) Stigr, aka Stew.

As most of you know, our brother {S&H} Stigr553 aka Stew has fallen on very hard times. For those of you who don't know Stew, he is a VERY good friend of -L2- and Steelhed, and I had the pleasure of meeting him when I was in [B1]. These hard times have befallen our brother and he is in very dire straight's. Just so you know Stew is a 58 yr. old Army Veteran who has lost his wife to lung disease awhile back. Since then, he himself has battled with cancer, survived a heart attack, suffered a stroke, has over 15 compression fracture's in his spine and is now dealing with arthritis in his hands. I got a phone call from our brother Stew the other day to find out now he is living in his car because he cannot find work. His age and current health condition has lead to not only being homeless but dealing with severe depression and pyschological issues. We've learned that he has applied for SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) but to no avail is getting the run around by the same gov't he admirably served several years ago. When I brought this to the table at the community meeting I was surpeised at the number of people wanting to help. I know now why I am proud to say that I belong to {S&H} and I thank you all for coming forward to volunteer donations to our brother so this fine man will have some money for food and whatever his needs are right now. We also disscussed getting him a pre-paid cell phone or something to that effect. If it's ok with you all, I have a brand new phone from boost mobile (sprint/nextel) that my wife and I would like to charge with a month of service and fresh battery to send him. We will set it up over the internet so he will have a Washington phone number. All other donations will put on a rechargeable debit card.

I really want to thank you all for being the outstanding group of guys and gals you are by showing this man that you really care. When I spoke with Stew today and told him what we are doing for him because he is part of this {S&H} family and we take care of our own, he was speechless. He wants you all to know that he thanks you from the bottom of his heart for lifting his spirits.

With all that being said the final details are being worked out. We will have an email address and a phone number for you in the near future with a link to send your donations. Again thank you all for being who you are and alway's remember.... Rangers Lead the Way!

My heart and prayers go out to Stew. It's hurts to see a good man down. One who has already been thru so much pain. He informed me he can no longer afford his prescribed meds. I am very concerned about his wellness, especially as we approach winter weather. As soon we have the debit card setup for Stew, we will post the info with a link to volunteer your donations. Thank you all for caring so much. Together, we can make a difference in his life and provide some much needed encouragement.

-L2-

I spoke with Stew today before he had his phone shut off. He closed his bank account today and used it to purchase a Green Dot debit card with $20 on it. I helped him get it setup and we now have a Paypal Donate link setup in the left column of our website under Stats Verse titled "{S&H} Stigr/Stew Fundraiser". Deposits to his debit card will be used for his medication, fuel as needed, and an occasional warm meal. He is currently out of touch in Federal Way, WA. and will be contacting me again this weekend. He wants me to extend his appreciation to all of you for being so kind. 3rdbat and I will keep everyone informed as we help one of our own back on his feet. I ask of our community to keep him in your prayers and continue to provide encouragement by donating whatever, and whenever you can.

Im glad to see we finally got something up on the site to help out

Thanks for getting that set up L-2, I will be mailing out his phone to him this week and will let him know that with his permission let you guys have the number to call him and wish him well but again it will have to be with his permission, will keep you all posted.

Im a little concerned about him sleeping in his car this winter... Now that we know what city he is in, there's allot of resources we can lookup and pass along his way simply by internet search... Thank you guys for setting this up.. Stew is truly one of our brothers in arms..

I am tracking all donations so I can let Stew know who is donating and that we all care about him. We must encourage him to keep making a little progress each day. Some of Stew's conversations have been pretty grimm, so it's important that he knows there are people who care about him. This debit card will provide that much needed encouragement and help him get back on his heart medication or any other meds he's had to do without. Bad weather is approaching and his health is not the greatest as we've explained in 3rdbat's post. Stew now has a limited {S&H} Green Dot debit card and should be getting a cell phone this weekend from 3rdbat. I'll keep the community posted on his progress. If anyone has connections in Washington state to resources that could help provide much needed assistance, please send me a private message thru our forum or on facebook with the contact info. He has been issued some food stamps, but still waiting to hear from SSDI. To those who are donating to the {S&H} Stigr/Stew Fundraiser (link on our site), I admire your charactor and appreciate your generosity. We're all he's got right now.

A big THANK YOU from a disabled Veteran and a good friend, Stew.

L2, ...out.

Update on Stew's phone is that today it was activated and the first month has been paid for and was dropped in the mail to him and I'm expecting it to be to him by tuesday of next week, 8 NOV 11, as I mentioned before I will have to check with him on who gets the phone number because Stew is a very private person and doesn't really like his personnal info handed out but I'm sure as long as we ask he won't have a problem with his friends from S&H having the number so that we might be able to check on him and let him know we are thinking of him.

PS - I just got off the phone with my wife who was the one who dropped the phone in the mail and she advised me that on the way to the post office she began to pray and told me that she felt the Lord put it on her heart to spend the lil bit extra she had saved for herself to make sure Stew got his phone by tomorrow , I'm here to say that it has been overnighted to him and he will have it by noon.

Just to bring another update Cowboy contacted me last night and advised me that he gave $100.00 towards the funds for Stew, and said he would add more today so for that Cowboy I say thank you and offer up this prayer for you and your family in Jesus name...

“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26

Again Thank You Cowboy and all of you who are helping our brother through these tough times even if it's just a phone call to let him know that he is loved and cared for by someone.

I just posted $20 towards it. Wishing I could do more; however, my finances have been a mess this past month with the unexpected cost of medical for myself. I'll see what I can do in two weeks on my next paycheck... hoping to be back to my normal budget by then.

No matter where we are, God is as close as a prayer. He is our support and strength. He will help us make our way up again from whatever depths we fall imto. He will answer our prayers in His own way and He will not let us down in our hour of need. We know if we bring our requests to Him, He will give us strength thru difficult times.

L2 can you keep us updated on total donations ?

4pm, 07NOV2011.

I just spoke with Stew on the phone and we have good news. He is now living with a retired couple in Orting, WA. Last Friday night he took refuge in his car at the Auburn Celebration Church parking lot after seeking approval from the church pastor. On Sunday, the pastor was going to offer him shelter in the basement of the church. Instead, the pastor introduced him to a retired Police Officer and his wife who have offered him a room in their home until he can get back on his feet. So far $370 has been applied to Stew's card via Paypal donations and currently has a $224 balance. He has purchased fuel for his car, medication, one night in a hotel, and warm meals with his Green Dot card. He is currently seeking a doctor to help him get assistance from DSHS (Dept.Social Health Services) and plans to buy a few new flannel shirts. Quote from Stew; "I am so thankful for the compassion shown by my friends at Strength & Honor. ...I will be back." We had a good conversation and he sounded much better than before. I too, am so very proud of our community!

"Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another; love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous." - 1 Peter 3:8.

Thanks for the update L2. Great news

Thats awesome news! God will provide when there is need and he did it through you guys. Its so inspiring! GOD IS GOOD!

"Those who know your name trust in you,
for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.
Sing the praises of the LORD, enthroned in Zion;
proclaim among the nations what he has done.
For he who avenges blood remembers;
he does not ignore the cries of the afflicted."

Psalm 9:10-12

Any word from Stew? Anyone get in touch with him today?

Yes, he is doing better now that he has a place to stay temporarily until he gets his feet planted. He will be seeing a Dr. for a psychological evaluation next week and is still trying to get assistance from DSHS. He seems to be in good spirits, considering his situation. Thanks for your concern Wakko.

How was he doing with available funds?

Well as I understood, he's a fellow Vet I always do what I can to take care of people as is; however that to me, warrants extra attention, specially today

His current card balance is $129.05 at 4:30 pm this Veteran's Day, 11/11/11. He had to pay extra money to close his old phone contract early and now has the phone that 3rdbat provided him with a new number. He will be calling those who have called him with the new number. If you would like to provide encouragement via phone, you can contact 3rdbat or myself by private message and we will give you his number.

Took part of my tithe and sent it on to Stew.

Hey guys lets remember our brother on this up coming holiday even if it's just a phone call to wish him a Happy Thanksgiving it would really mean alot to him, because the last time I spoke with him he said he will be spending it in his car alone so if you could guys please I beseech you to call him and keep him encouraged that this is going to work,I will provide the number for you guys just get ahold of me.

Hey I just want to say a BIG THANKS to you guys for what you have done for me. I would have been on foot without money for gas for my car.

Right now I am living with a retired couple that I know from bible study in my church. I have known them for three years. I live there, they cook for me and do my laundry. Won't let me do anything for them.

I will be moving back into my car about the first of January. The guy is going to have surgery done on his right knee. Last time on his left side he had complications and now has an artificial leg. I was told today that they may be living with family through this time period of his surgery and rehab.

Again thanks for your support and donations.

Stew

Stew is apparently back living in his car.

I pray that you are taking steps to get your life on a better track. Connect with professionals and services near you that specialize in helping Veterans. Reaching out for support can help to overcome isolation and increase enjoyment of life.
http://maketheconnection.net/

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11