America’s oldest living World War II veteran is getting a little help from his friends.
Richard Overton, a 110-year-old U.S. Army veteran who served in the colored unit of the 1887th Engineer Aviation Battalion during World War II, has lived in an Austin, Texas home he built with his own hands for over 60 years.
But an in-home caregiver that looked after him now needs her own medical assistance, and Overton’s few remaining relatives are reaching out to come up with the estimated $480 per day for a new caregiver to help keep him in his home, CNBC reports.
“We all know that moving him out of his house will put him in the grave,” Overton’s third cousin, Volma Overton, told the news site. “That house has so much to do with his happiness, his joy and his love for humanity and everything else.”
Volma Overton and her daughter contacted the department of Veterans Affairs for help, but the agency would only provide a nurse for three hours per day, or assistance moving into an assisted living facility.
“When you’re at the point where 24/7 care is needed… what’s best for the veteran might not be the home,” Patrick Hutchison, public affairs specialist for Central Texas Veterans Affairs Health Care System, told KXAN. “The caregiver is taxed at that point too.”
Volma Overton and another friend stop by daily to check on him, as do others from church and the neighborhood, but she believes a professional caregiver would be more appropriate. The group eventually turned to the crowdfunding site GoFundMe to raise money for Overton’s care, and the response has been overwhelming.
“Richard has out lived all of his closest relatives and is in need of 24/7 home care. We are asking for donations to keep him living in his home instead of a nursing home,” the GoFundMe page read.
The page featured numerous highlights of the cigar and whiskey-loving veteran in recent years, including Overton’s 2013 visit with President Obama during a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, a 2015 documentary on his life, and a feature the same year in Cigar Aficionado.
Overton credits his long life to “cigars and God,” and often enjoys his Tampa Sweet cigars with those who stop by to chat on his front porch.
Volma Overton told CNBC the veteran also drinks “one (shot of whiskey) to wake him up and get him going and one to put him asleep.”
Martin Wilford told the news site his long-time friend makes the most of life through jokes and stories with friends on the porch, and wants to see him continue that tradition as long as possible.
“He will say some things man, that will make you fall out of your chair,” Wilford said. “I don’t care what color or what religion, he loves people.”
People love him, too.
In the first two days after the GoFundMe site went up in late December, it reached an initial goal of $50,000. The goal has since been increased to $100,000, and then $150,000 as donations poured in.
As of Monday, 2,286 people have donated a total of $110,940 to help keep him in his home.
“I’d hate to see him not have a smile on his face because he’s smiling when we come over here. [Going to a nursing home] would take that smile away,” Volma Overton told KXAN. “This smile is America’s treasure.”
Aside from the money, many folks who commented on the GoFundMe page also offered to volunteer their time, food, and other essentials to honor a man who fought for their freedoms.
“Our Cub Scout Pack had a meeting with Mr. Overton on the front lawn a few years ago. We would like to know if there are any home maintenance items that need attention around the house, anything from lawn mowing to clearing the roof of leaves, trimming trees, etc,” Mark P. Schram wrote. “I am a roofing contractor & have all the tools for handling any of these items & more.”
“I’m an Executive Chef and will be traveling through Texas this week. It would be an honor to cook for Mr. Overton while I am in Texas. Please feel free to email me,” Apple-Elgatha Ethel posted.
“Please have him call our office at Meals On wheels. We can help Mr. Overton with his Home health care needs,” Adrenne Mendoza added. “I am the veterans services case manager for Meals on Wheels.”
“I am a nurse and would be honored to care for Mr. Oliver, free of charge for a few hours a day, any day of the week, if needed. Please email me if help is needed. God Bless this wonderful man. :)” Susan Morrison Sattler wrote.
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