FORT WALTON BEACH — What began as a plea to help save the holidays is now a family asking for help just to survive.
Kevin Litner created a gofundme.com account called “Please Save Christmas” in the hopes of fixing his only mode of transportation and bringing some holiday cheer to his family of seven.
“Whee it started out we just needed help,” Litner said. “Now, we have a $1,000 car payment due the first of the month and our rent due with me only working a part-time job.”
Litner cares for his wife, children, step-children and nephew on a part-time Apple advisor job. His wife’s two children are disabled, diagnosed with Cornelia de Lange syndrome, and his daughter is expecting a child soon and all range between 17 and 21.
The vehicle the Litner family heavily relies on was valued at $1,300 and repairs were estimated to cost $2,000.
“When the car broke down we went ahead and got a van because we honestly needed it,” Litner said. “But that took every scrap of money we had. We never ask for help, but we don’t want to wind up having to forfeit on our rent or car payment.
“This is a rough place to be in.”