Help me give my veteran a vacation!

Melissa Rachell Start Date: Feb 1, 2024 - End Date: May 31, 2024
  • Gulf Shores, AL, United States of America
  • New Orleans, LA, United States of America
  • Huntington Beach, CA, United States of America

My Travel Story

by: Melissa Rachell Start Date: Feb 1, 2024 - End Date: May 31, 2024
Hello everyone. My name is Melissa, and I am new to crowdfunding, but I've found myself at a point in my life where I feel nothing is going smoothly enough for me to rely solely on myself or my job to make enough to do anything other than survive! 
My husband and I have been married 14 years. He is an Army Combat Veteran (OIF), and he is the absolute best person I've ever met. He's a wonderful father, and my best friend. Because of what he endured, he struggles greatly with PTSD and other mental illnesses that prevent him from having a normal life. 
He attempted to return to the work force at the same hospital I work at, and it ended terribly, which sent him on a downward spiral. My goal is to be able to afford to take him on vacation. We make enough to pay our bills and be safe, but we do not make enough to fund a vacation for our family of four, and I think he deserves it. 
My husband struggles greatly with suicidal tendencies and survivors guilt, and he is in the process of waiting to be approved for treatment at the UCLA center for veterans. 
I'd like to take him to an ocean, since I believe it's a healing place. We currently live in southern Illinois. 

Last year, we had a close call and scare of him trying to succumb to the hidden injuries. Like many veterans, he doesn't "burden" me with his stories, even though I beg to let me help him. After this scare, he sought help, and found God. He was baptized Catholic on Easter Vigil and he did find some solace in that, however, it can only help so much when he spirals. 

He has asked for help from many sources only to be shut down essentially, and there's little veterans in our area that are his age range. He's the most deserving person I know, and any bit of money donated will be treasured and saved toward giving him a vacation and break from this place. 

I appreciate taking the time to read and I could go on for hours talking about him. Thank you for reading. 

Blessings, 
Melissa
  • Gulf Shores, AL, United States of America
  • New Orleans, LA, United States of America
  • Huntington Beach, CA, United States of America

Adventure Registry

  • Travel pillow

    $ 15

  • Beach Tent

    $ 40

  • Sand cleaning brush

    $ 10

  • Beach Mesh Shovel for shells

    $ 10