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A 66-year-old Navy veteran attempted to sell all his belongings at garage sales to raise funds for his own funeral. Sam Berman of Veuer has all the history.
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Willie Davis, a US Navy veteran who dies of cancer, is sitting in his garage among many of his belongings, as he tries to sell to help pay for his funeral on Wednesday 26th. September 2018 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.(Photo: John Rucosky / Tribune-Democrat via AP)
For months, a man in Pennsylvania who was diagnosed with terminal cancer regularly organized garage sales to pay for his own end-of-life expenses. Now, these costs are no longer a concern thanks to the kindness of strangers.
David Dunkleberger is one of the organizers of a fundraiser that raised tens of thousands of dollars. He told USA TODAY that he had met the man in need – Willie Davis, 66 – in early August.
Dunkleberger and a friend attended one of Davis' garage sales, not knowing that the man was suffering from a terminal diagnosis. On leaving, Davis told Dunkleberger that the sale was intended to raise funds for funerals.
"Who are the funerals?" Recalls Dunkleberger.
"Mine," Davis replied.
Dunkleberger, 27, from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, said he was haunted by the man's comments. He quickly decided to launch a crowdfunding campaign.
After attracting the attention of local and national media this week, the Dunkleberger campaign raised more than $ 30,000, which will be used to meet Davis' last wishes. The campaign has repeatedly raised its target as donations continue to arrive.
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Davis, a veteran of the Navy according to the local TV channel WTAJ and The Tribune-Democrate Johnstown spoke to the media about his reaction to the relief effort.
"I will miss life because there are people like that," Davis told WTAJ in reference to the Dunkleberger campaign.
When The Tribune-Democrate visited Davis, he had a number of property pending sale. Among them: old newspapers, stacks of vinyl albums and an old toy truck.
"I never imagined doing anything like this. But I felt desperate, "said Davis The Tribune-Democrate. "Many of these things are special to me … but I do not want to be a financial burden to the people I leave behind. I prefer to do something about it.
The crowdfunding page states that after Davis' death, "a check will be distributed to the funeral home for 100% of donations for his funeral expenses.If we still have money, the rest will be used to help another veteran in need. "
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