Man Donates RVs For Homeless People in Oklahoma
Renovated RVs for homeless Oklahomans are putting roofs over people’s heads, thanks to one Oklahoma man who donates his time to help them.
According to Oklahoma City’s 2019 Point-In-Time Count report, almost 1,300 people were without a home. Many factors are responsible for this increase. Oklahoma housing cost increases are one of the biggest.
Ryan Laughlin, a resident of Del City, aims to help many of these individuals, especially the working homeless population. He provides them with a place of their own to sleep, shower, and eat.
Ryan explains, “Aside from being presentable which will help them keep their jobs, they will feel better about themselves.”
Inspiration for RV renovations
One day Ryan helped out a friend who was living in his car. Then he became inspired to renovate more RVs for homeless people. First, he restored an old RV that was sitting on his property. Then he gifted it to his friend so he would have a home in the interim of saving money and securing a job.
His friend’s life was completely transformed from Ryan’s act of kindness as he is now living in an apartment. The improvement in his friend’s life inspired Ryan to help others in similar situations.
Progressing to a non-profit organization
From donated RVs for veterans to families in need, Ryan is busy refurbishing old but usable RVs for other project candidates. He uses a portion of his income, outside monetary contributions, and donated RV parts and appliances to get the job done.
The hours are long and the multiple make over tasks are tedious. Using his background experience, Ryan troubleshoots plumbing and electrical issues. He fixes framing problems, updates carbon monoxide detectors, performs propane safety checks, and ensures escape windows function properly. RV units include bathrooms and showers.
Ryan is working with lawyers to establish a nonprofit entity and address legal concerns involving the safety and livability of each renovated RV.
How to Give RVs to Homeless People in Oklahoma
You can help Ryan give more RVs to homeless people in Oklahoma. For more information on monetary contributions and supply donations, visit “Ryan’s Campers for the Homeless” Facebook page or GoFundMe page. He is hoping to raise $8000 towards future RV renovations but is equally open to receiving material donations like wood or any parts and appliances that can be used in an RV.
its more of acry help i dont have time to tell it all but ill startby saying we lost our place due to a hose fire bad one luckly we had purchased a rv to restore so when my husband retired anyway we had no other place to live bt the rv whlie it was parke they stole the radiator and now it needs brakes tires and i relly couldnt say i all right now but thats just the cake wait we had no place to park it so we towed it to a homelesscamp nearby by th railroad tracks in okc ok now thecity ofokc has given us a citation for thee rv not having tagsand not being on apaved area thats all we have left i just told my husband so that was 2 days gone this is the fourth day they will tow it awaywith evrything we got left!!!we need help my husband has a job but its to much for himwe have had hard the stress is killing me dont know what to do any ideas oranyhelp we can get or point me in the right direction
I would like to help you build them for the homeless, once I get there this month. I have built several myself to help some homeless out in Colorado during the pandemic when I lived there 2 years. I’m in kansas city now, but leaving to move back to okc this month in my own rv I renovated.
Hello Mr. Miles,
I have been scouring the internet to find help in getting an RV for a homeless person we have been helping. He lived on the streets for five years, and we got him off the streets, medical attention, and now he’s on disability. He’s been staying in the spare room of a friend of ours, but now has to move because they need the space. My husband and I are willing to put the RV on our property for him to live in, and we can also pay approximately 1500 dollars. He can also pay up to 300 dollars per month to pay off the RV. However, that’s all we can afford at this time. Do you know of any resources that may be able to help? We live in a suburb of Kansas city, Mo. Thank you for any information.
Hi. This is a very beautiful story I just read about your heart. I was doing this in Colorado for a few homeless people until my money ran out after my motorcycle hit & run accident in November of ’21.
Been in kansas city healing, and now that is over, I’m driving my rv I renovated, to Oklahoma city where I was living about 7 years ago.
So to make a long story short. I’m a multi highly skilled craftsman that many know there as well when I lived there 5 1/2 years. U.S. Marine veteran.
And I would like to help you achieve your goals of helping to build any camper or rv you have I our spare time for the homeless. Together we can do more, at a faster pace as needed.
Will you let a homeless person make payments to you for an rv? Any help will be most appreciated. I’m looking for anything reasonable. Thank you so much.
I have a niece who has been homeless for a couple of years. She was living in the hill country in Texas in an unsafe situation.
Her son and his wife need to get her into an rv to go around following them wherever the air force sends her daughter-in-law. They have 2 children.