This is a unique post on my blog. A few days ago I met Sherri. Sherri is homeless in Sarasota. She has a story like we all do. I found her sitting alone in the corner of the downtown post office, next to my PO Box. She was cuddling up with a sleeping bag and talked about trying to stay warm on the unusually cold Florida night. She didn’t ask for help or a handout, I offered to lend a hand in some way. I was on my way to Whole Foods so I asked her if I could get her something. She seemed to not know how to answer this question and dumbfounded that I asked. She replied, “um, a carbohydrate?” I told her to stay put and I would return with some food for her. We exchanged phone numbers just in case we missed each other. She does have a cell phone. I came back and she was waiting in her truck, the only large thing she owned and slept in. All she owned was in her vehicle, which is a few clothing items and three large street lights. Sherri does have a drivers license and her vehicle tags are up to date. She was very thankful for the bag of groceries and I told her to drive to the nearest gas station and I would fill up her gas tank. After doing so, I told her “Merry Christmas and God bless.” I also told her I had some extra warm clothes and boots that she might like, and she could call me tomorrow and we could meet up. After making a post on Facebook, I received more clothing and shoe items for her. I delivered those items to her today, as she called and told me her whereabouts. Sherri parks her truck in an open field on a farm and sleeps there when she can. Today she found a wounded horse (back left leg, not visible in the photo below) and was attempting to take care of it. I called Animal Services and the horse was taken care of as the Sheriff reported to me later this afternoon.
To wrap up this story, Sherri is asking if YOU would be interested in purchasing one or all three of her traffic lights (or stage lights, that were given to her by a church)? I’m not sure they work or not, but look cool. She would like cash to be able to get a hotel room and clean up a little. I noticed her teeth are yellowed and finger and toe nails black with dirt. In my opinion, Sherri is not on drugs or alcohol, and is genuine in her request. She did tell me she had been in a domestic violent relationship and her four sons were removed from her quite some time ago, and she went into a depression as she couldn’t bear to live without her children. *I could make sure her cash was used for a hotel room if a buyer is out there. Please email (j@johnnabrynn.com) or call/text me at 843-457-3331 if you are interested in helping out Sherri. Again, I can make sure the funds go to a hotel for her. For the record, I was a social worker for over 6 years about seven years ago and have never felt the urge to help a homeless person the way I feel to help Sherri.
Today Sherri asked me to take the following photos in hopes she can sell her three traffic lights, and she would like to be able to clean herself up so she can be in a position to give back and help others.
