By Michael Parrish DuDell on July 17, 2009

Chuck Pappas: Farm Sanctuary Hero

A couple months ago I wrote my first piece for Crazy Sexy Life, offering you “A Polite Introduction” into the many hopes and dreams that make up my world. But enough about me! Today, I want to share with you a tale of a kind-hearted hero who needs our help.

Chuck Pappas began working at Farm Sanctuary in 2005 as Fulfillment Coordinator at the Watkins Glen location. Described by his friends as a man with “amazing talents, a huge heart, astounding strength and incredible compassion,” Chuck’s dedication was quickly recognized around the farm.

If something needed to be installed, repaired, built or remodeled, he made sure it got done – often by doing it himself. Plumbing, electrical work, carpentry, fencing, landscaping, and even dredging the duck pond were all in a day’s work for Chuck.

Last summer major flooding overwhelmed the banks in Iowa, Illinois and Missouri. Pig production is popular in this part of the country and many farmers abandoned their animals. For 21 days, Chuck and others braved toxic-sludge-laden flood waters, scorching sun and poison ivy as they fought to save as many pigs as they could. In the end, 69 pigs were brought back to Farm Sanctuary, thanks to the efforts of Chuck and the team.

In March of this year, Chuck Pappas was diagnosed with Grade IV Glioblastoma Multiforme – or in English, a rather aggressive form of Brain Cancer.

So far, Chuck has spent over two weeks in the hospital, had more than a dozen MRIs, gone through two major operations, given six prescriptions, and was fitted with his very own shiny pair of titanium plates, which will remain in his skull for the rest of his life. Chuck has responded well to his treatment so far, but he still faces a very serious uphill battle for survival, and doctors are unsure when, if ever, he will be able to return to work.

To help raise some much needed funds, Chuck’s friends will be walking and biking from the Taking Action For Animals Conference in DC to the Farm Sanctuary Hoe Down in Watkins Glen, NY. Visit www.giveforward.org/walkforchuck to find out how you can help. AND, for the next seven days only, one of Chuck’s Farm Sanctuary co-workers, Erin Howard, has agreed to match the first $300 in donations from readers of this blog.

To help the fundraiser identify donations from Crazy Sexy Life readers – and to give Chuck a nice boost of morale – please write “Crazy Sexy Chuck!” in the comment section. You can learn more about Chuck Pappas and this awesome fundraiser at www.Chuck300.com.

 

 

   
 

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