A fundraising effort is being done to prevent an elderly Ellijay man from becoming homeless after losing his camper and vehicle in a recent fire.
Kenneth Cameron, 73, had lived in the camper at the Coosawattee River Resort Campground until it was destroyed in a fire earlier this year. He was trying to work on a hot water heater when the fire started, said Deborah Beckom, a neighbor who’s started an online fundraiser for Cameron.
“I was here that day and heard the explosions. The neighbors ran down there and tried to help him,” said Beckom. “Now, I’m trying to get him some help so he can get some funds set up.”
The fire not only destroyed the camper, but also Cameron’s pick-up truck. He suffered burns over a large part of his body and was taken to Wellstar Hospital in Marietta, then had to undergo skin grafts followed by physical rehab. He will also have medical expenses to consider, noted Beckom.
“He’s got no home and no transportation. He’s 73 and has no family here. I’d hate to know I had to start over like this at 73,” she said.
Beckom said the fundraiser at angelink.com, a crowdfunding site similar to Go Fund Me, is to help Cameron purchase another camper. The development’s rules state that a camper can be no older than 2008, Beckom noted.
She said Cameron already owns the lot on which the previous camper burned, but is currently staying at a location that’s temporary. After that ends, he’ll be homeless.
Cameron, who used to work in vehicle emissions testing and has lived at the campground for almost 15 years, said he “doesn’t want a hand out, just a hand up” to help get a roof back over his head.
“I sure would appreciate any help. Every little bit helps,” he added.
The online fundraiser goal is $25,000. As of Tuesday, almost $1,000 had been raised. Beckom said Coosawattee cleared the lot of debris, but some burned trees also still need to be cut and cleared. Cameron’s power will also have to be turned back on and a power box replaced, she added.
“(This fundraiser is for) all that it will take to get his lot up and running again,” she noted.
For more details or to donate, visit angelink.com and search for Kenneth Cameron to be directed to his fundraising page.