Sandy Needs New Furnace Desperately

Hello. My name is Sandy Greer. I reach out to you for urgent financial help to replace an old wood electric furnace, after yet another creosote fire that came too close to destroying my home. In the video, I show the results of many years of leaking, dangerous creosote which, twice, has caused a fire en route to the chimney.

For ten years I have lived in a century-old farmhouse into which I invested all of my savings to do unexpected repairs, plus replacing the roof. Throughout this period I have witnessed, with concern, the steady deterioration of a furnace now declared totally unsafe by my trusted chimney sweep. Similar sentiments came from the entire local fire department who put out the fire in the pipe leading to the chimney just before reaching it - God bless them all.

Since then, while deciding how to raise money that I do not have for a new furnace, my physical health has suffered from insufficient heat. I stayed in my home for the important reason to keep my water taps running so that the pipes do not freeze. I have survived with a woodstove in the kitchen and a small electric heater in my bedroom. But, I also have broken out in a rash, much more severe lately, which requires medical attention, and probably caused by emotional stress, made worse by lack of sleep because of itching throughout the night.

I am self-supporting, no family, and rely on a poverty-level pension. This follows a longer period of not finding gainful employment - recall the 2008 economic downturn after which many (invisible) people lost employment - even though in 2012 I launched a website to exhibit a lifetime of experience and knowledge. Poverty, instead, has caused immense stress and, subsequently, chronic health problems even before this furnace crisis.

My life has been dedicated to helping humanity and planetary well-being, through both professional and volunteer activities. I wish to continue contributing to the wider world, once I get past this furnace crisis and my health is stronger again.

Given my present condition of limited physical energy at this time, I am not in a position to reciprocate through "awards." Instead, however, I invite you to browse through my website `Awakening to Possibility' and blog, for reflections that you may find helpful. For example, see http://www.awakeningtopossibility.ca/blog/?p=1588, on self-care, as a cautionary message about the pitfalls of overwork.

I cannot afford a laptop, nor any mobile technologies (with monthly payments), and rely upon my desktop computer in my home office. As well, I consciously chose a lifestyle of voluntary simplicity, through relocating from a large city to the countryside, to experience a slower, more balanced way of life surrounded by nature. Here, I have rediscovered joy, been introduced to inner peace, and limit digital technology's constant pressure.

Nevertheless, I am willing, and delighted, to communicate with donors through [email protected], and provide updates, as needed, on this page. Perhaps future opportunities will be presented in which I can offer a more individual way to be helpful. Meanwhile, I am morally committed to spiritual and environmental pursuits to protect what really matters during my time here on Earth. Thank you for caring.