Water heater replacement

Hello everyone,

I'm forced to start this funding campaign to finance the purchase and installation of a new water heater in my house. Unfortunately, the one we have is reaching it's end of service date and during the last month has been shutting off on its own multiple times. At night, when the kids and myself take showers, the basement smells like gas. Not to scare me off too much but this is not normal and I'd like to get rid of it asap.
I have recently lost my job and, to support the family, I had to do whatever I could find as a job, ultimately being hired by a company but at a lower salary, so other than cancelling vacations, dentist and selling off my tools (I don't need them any more, unfortunately) I really don't know what else I can do. Right now I am still managing to maintain the same routine for the kids, I don't want them to think about the money daddy doesn't have, they are 7 and 5, way too early for that.

I am asking for help, because I had to swallow my pride and realize I really need someone to help me this time. I have the money for the installation of the new unit (some piping and gas-fitting is requireD) which was quoted at 600$. I could do it myself but there is gas fuel involved so, for the sake of safety, I'll leave it to the experts).

I want to tank anyone who will kindly support my needs in this hard moment of my life.

I'll get back on track, it's just that all of this couldn't happen in a worst period.

Thank you all