Carl Waterman. Photo courtesy of the Exchange Club of Ocean City
The Ocean City Exchange Club is organizing a fundraising effort to help the family of one of its members, Carl Waterman, a decorated veteran familiar to just about anybody who's attended a parade in Ocean City.
Waterman recently suffered a stroke that left him paralyzed and unable to speak. Facing staggering medical bills, Waterman's wife, Pat, is unable to pay rent, utilities or even buy food.
Forty donors have contributed $6,250 since the Exchange Club launched a GoFundMe page on Wednesday, but the family's needs are much greater, according to Bill Culp, club president.
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If you can help the Watermans, visit http://www.gofundme.com/k5wr5g
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"He's just a fabulous guy," Culp said. "Nobody doesn’t like Carl Waterman."
Waterman is a retired Marine and a key member of the U.S. Marine Corps League Color Guard, marching in local parades (2014 Miss America and many others) and posting the nation's colors at city and county events.
Waterman, an Ocean City resident who worked in the construction trades for decades, is an active member and former board member of the Exchange Club and the Riverboat Club. His wife had been ill for about a year and had recently recovered, Culp said.
"Please be as generous to Carl as he has been to our great country," the Exchange Club writes on its GoFundMe page. "He is an American Hero and exemplifies the best that America has to offer."
