SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — A homeless veteran in Sanford now has a place to live thanks to the kindness of a Seminole County deputy.
Deputy Carl Tipton raised $2,000 to help cover rental fees, and helped him find a place to move in.
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Tipton found out that Richard Pajaula, who he met last week sitting on his walker, bible in hand and his suitcase at his side, had been homeless for two years. Pajaula said he had been sleeping on a park bench every night, and although he receives a monthly check from Veterans Affairs, he didn't have enough for a security deposit and other fees to rent a place.
Tipton loaded Pajaula’s suitcase and belongings into the back of his truck and drove him to his new home.
Due to the overwhelming response to the Sheriff’s Office Facebook post about their story, the fundraiser link to support Pajaula has been reopened. Click here to donate.
Deputy Carl Tipton met a homeless veteran the other day near downtown Sanford sitting on his walker, bible in hand, suitcase at his side. The veteran told Deputy Tipton he had been homeless since the beginning of the year and slept on a park bench every night. Although he receives a monthly VA check, the veteran didn’t have enough savings for a security deposit and other fees required to rent a place. Deputy Tipton knew he had to do something to help. So, he set up a fundraiser, and in addition to raising $2,000 to cover rental fees, Deputy Tipton also found an affordable place for the veteran to stay. On Saturday morning, Deputy Tipton sought out the veteran and gave him the good news, and a ride to his new home. Please join us in thanking Deputy Tipton for his incredible kindness and thoughtfulness! #WeAreSCSO ***UPDATE: due to the overwhelming response from our amazing followers, Dep. Tipton has reopened the fundraiser link for those interesting in helping with the effort to assist the veteran: https://www.facebook.com/donate/772990733241632/?fundraiser_source=external_url
Posted by Seminole County Sheriff's Office on Monday, July 27, 2020
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