Community lights up home of beloved Nanaimo, B.C. family battling cancer When White heard his story, he said he knew he had to do something.He and his wife set up a GoFundMe for Larsen, hoping to raise a few thousand dollars and convert a van for him to live in.But the campaign has taken off, raising more than $30,000 at the time of publication.White said the local legion has chipped in and they have contacted Veterans Affairs for help.Along with another military veteran, Corey Smith, they now have more than enough money to help Larsen find a new living space.“It’s hard to see an 81-year-old human being, let alone a veteran, being in that situation,” Smith said.Larsen’s new home will be a van with a bed, stove, sink, running water, lights, solar system, storage and a local company has offered to do the electrical work and heating work for the van, he added. ‘Hold onto me’: B.C.
Mountie reflects on rescuing couple from car submerged in swimming pool But the story won’t end there.Smith said now they are setting their sights on the bigger picture, hoping to start an organization along the lines of Vans for Veterans to “keep helping more people.”Apparently, that was Larsen’s idea.White said Larsen is so humble and wants to help others more than himself.“He’s thinking his needs are met, how can he help someone else, how can he keep this thing going?’Now with their sights set on building this into a bigger project, White said they are being inundated with offers to help.“We’re going to make a list of needs once we realize what those needs are,” he added.