Friends, family, and strangers, please lend me your ears.

Due to a mild medical condition, a tight local job market, involvement with the U. S. Veteran's Administration, and issues with an unscrupulous storage company, I find myself in an unforeseen and time-sensitive situation. I urgently need $1,500 by March 27, or the company will auction off my belongings the following day.

These items include furniture, antiques, framed pictures, clothing, thousands of books, family heirlooms, old tintype and paper photographs, and decades of genealogy and historical research (including topics such as Texas Rangers, the Alamo, San Jacinto, Native American, Black, and Hispanic history, U.S. military history, firearms, artillery, and American architecture), and other research projects.

In mid-February, when I attempted to pay my outstanding balance, I discovered I was locked out of the company’s online system. When I tried to pay over the phone, I was told they would not accept my debit card. Now, the only way to stop this legal thievery is to appear in Austin, Texas, with cash before the 28th- or to bid on my own storage unit alongside others that day.

Asking for financial help is very difficult for me, which is why I am reaching out at such a late hour. I would sincerely repay any funds loaned to me or offer items from my storage unit in trade.

I would rather thoughtful generous people receive my beloved possessions than see them taken by a greedy company or opportunistic buyers.

Thank you in advance, dear friends.

Sloan