Outdoors With Erik

Creating a Youth Hangout in Tekonsha I grew up in Tekonsha, Michigan, and it’s a town that will always mean a lot to me. Like many small towns, it’s full of great people and strong community pride. Over the years I’ve always hoped I’d find a meaningful way to give back to the community that helped shape who I am. Recently I met a guy named Kevin who shared a vision that immediately stood out to me. Kevin purchased a run-down property near the school with the goal of turning it into a place where teens and young adults in the community can gather after school — somewhere they can hang out, build friendships, and have a positive place to spend time. Right now the property needs a lot of work, but we believe it has the potential to become something really special for the next generation in this town. My part in the project is helping clean up the outside of the property and bring new life back to the space. Funds from this GoFundMe are being used for dumpster rentals and tearing down unsafe structures on the property. This is step one in making this space safe and usable again for the community. We appreciate every single person who helps make that happen. — Erik

❤️ Help Lori Save Her Home After Betrayal, Illness, and Financial Loss Lori never imagined she would be fighting to keep her home while battling her health at the same time. Over the past few years, Lori has endured more than most people face in a lifetime. She was extremely ill and alone when she received money following the heartbreaking loss of her mother to Mesothelioma. During that vulnerable time, people she trusted took advantage of her situation. One was a lifelong friend of nearly 49 years who stole approximately $12,000 from her, and another individual took nearly $8,000 more. That money was meant to provide stability and security — instead, it disappeared during a period when Lori was physically and mentally unable to defend herself. Since then, life has continued to compound the hardship. Lori is disabled and living on limited income. The financial loss created a ripple effect she has not been able to recover from. Property taxes fell behind. Home maintenance became overwhelming. Her lawn and exterior upkeep — things she once took pride in — became impossible to manage while dealing with her health challenges. Now the situation has escalated. The city has issued 18 violations against her property and is pursuing court action. Some of the required repairs include landscaping corrections, exterior structural items like soffits, and other costly property fixes that are far beyond Lori’s physical ability and financial means. She is not someone who chose to neglect her home — she is someone who simply could not keep up after devastating financial betrayal and declining health. Without help, Lori risks losing the place she calls home. Why We Are Raising Funds Donations will help Lori: Catch up on property-related expenses and urgent compliance items Address city violations to prevent further legal action Cover essential home repairs and exterior cleanup Stabilize her living situation while she focuses on her health Every contribution — no matter the size — will make a meaningful difference. How You Can Help If you’re unable to donate, sharing this fundraiser is just as important. The more people who see Lori’s story, the better chance we have of helping her through this difficult time. Thank you for taking the time to read and for caring.

A few nights ago, during extreme cold temperatures, John’s life changed in a matter of minutes. His well pump had frozen, and he was using a heater to try to thaw the lines in his well pit. He stepped outside briefly — and when he turned around, the side of his trailer was already on fire. By the time emergency crews arrived, much of his home was gone. John is disabled and had no insurance. He lost everything. His home. His clothes. His personal belongings. Even the coat he’s wearing right now had to be borrowed — and it doesn’t even fit. Most heartbreaking of all, he lost his beloved pets in the fire. He tried to go back in for them, but the smoke was too thick. Right now, John is starting from zero. Our goal is to help him: • Clear and prepare the lot for a replacement trailer • Replace essential clothing and daily necessities • Help with temporary housing and living expenses • Put him in a position to secure a safe, new (to him) home Every dollar raised will go directly toward helping John rebuild his life and regain stability. If you’re unable to give, sharing this page means just as much. Let’s show him he’s not alone.

Hi everyone, this is Erik from Outdoors with Erik. Many of you know my good friend Mark from Leaving a Mark Outdoors. He’s been right beside me helping transform yards and serving the community. But right now, Mark is facing one of the toughest seasons of his life. He’s going through a divorce and had to leave his home. He’s starting completely over, trying to find a place to live and make sure his amazing kids are still cared for and supported. I normally never ask for this kind of help, but Mark is family to me—and I know this community is strong. I’ve set up this GoFundMe to help him with a security deposit and basic essentials so he can get back on his feet and provide stability for his children. Even the smallest donation will make a huge difference. And if you can’t give, leaving a kind comment of encouragement means the world. Thank you for helping my friend Mark rebuild. Together, we can show him he’s not alone. —Erik (Outdoors with Erik)

Help Us Repair a 78-Year-Old Woman’s Porch While cleaning up an elderly woman’s overgrown yard, we discovered something heartbreaking: her back porch — the one place she should be able to sit and enjoy her home — is collapsing. This woman is 78 years old, not very mobile, and lives alone. Her front yard looked fine, but when we walked around back, it was like stepping into another world — trees, brush, and decay everywhere. We cleared her yard, but when I saw that porch, I knew this wasn’t something we could fix on our own. That’s where YOU come in. ❤️ Our goal is to raise enough to repair her porch so she can safely sit outside, breathe fresh air, and enjoy the home she’s worked her whole life for. Every dollar counts — whether it’s $5 or $50, your gift will go directly to giving her back something most of us take for granted: a safe space to sit and smile. We’ve seen this community come together before, and I know we can do it again. Let’s show her she’s not forgotten, and that people still care. Please consider donating or sharing this campaign with friends and family. Together, we can make a difference in her life. Thank you, Erik (Outdoors with Erik)