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Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
August 13, 2020     Shelton Mason County Journal
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August 13, 2020
 
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Page A-28 — Shelton-Mason County Journal Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020 Compassionate mechanic Offers aid 33} Isabella Breda lsabe/la@masoncounty com The community has kept him in business for 23 years and now, Local Wrench owner Jeff Baker is taking care of those in need. “We are paying our bills and able to take care of other things in life,” Baker said, “we thought we should try to give a helping hand to people suffering in the best way we know, doing What we do best.” Local Wrench offered six free oil changes to com- munity members financially affected by the COV- ID-19 pandemic. ’ , Messages of need rolled into Baker’s inbox soon after the announcement on social media. “This person said, the last thing I need is my car quitting out on me,” Baker said, while reading mes- sages. “Another fella has been displaced from his job and is unable to service his vehicle. He said he has a job interview next week that will require com- muting if he gets the job. Someone else said they’d love to have an oil change — with an (outstanding) electricity bill and nothing left for food.” While many community members are in need, some are equally eager to help. _ One donor, who wanted to remain anonymous, paid for three more services, while another commu- nity member came in the shop to drop off enough for half of the cost of a service. If donations continue to come in, Local Wrench will continue to slot out time for drivers in need. “Without basically putting up a sign saying free, we are just going to see if there’s anyone else in need,” Baker said. “I don’t know how long the long- term effect is going to be and how much impact will remain on people over time but it’s definitely some- thing that we be keeping an eye on.” ' School district gia Local Wrench owner Jeff Baker, left, with employee Jason Rees, is offering free oil changes to people financially affected by COVlD-19. Hera/d photo by Gordon Weeks Baker said he understands what it’s like to be in a position where you can’t consider expenses be- yond putting food on the table and filling your car with enough gas to get to work. “I didn’t come from a wealthy family. I started this business with a very low budget I maxed out Ey’l’s’abella areda my credit cards and took all of the equity out of my house,” Baker said, “so I empathize with people in those situations Where sometimes you’re only fo- cusing on what’s in front of you, and other things tend to get neglected, other maintenance and up- keep on your car.” ' nt finds allies in battle that’s what’s keeping him going,” she said, isabe/Ia@masoncounty com North Mason School District’s warehouse. manager Vince Lee has touched the lives of hundreds of staff members, teachers and students over (the past 13 years. I “I’m just one of many who really care about him,” Student Data Coordinator San— dy Ruthruff said, “he’s such a good guy he’d do anything for anybody — with a little sarcasm which makes him fun to be around.” Lee was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, last September ,but many of his close friends and coworkers didn’t know until a GoFundMe for a golf cart appeared last week. “Well, I didn’t really put it out there just because, you know, Vince is a proud man,” his wife, Susan, admitted. ALS is a neurodegenerative disease in which a person’s brain loses connection with their muscles, causing extreme muscle weakness and eventually paralysis. “I never knew anybody with ALS-until now,” Ruthruff said, “it’s a horrible disease.” The $2,500 fundraiser to purchase a golf cart to help Lee maneuver around his yard Was completely funded just days after being posted. “Everyone loves him,” Susan Lee said, “they love his personality, his smartalec sense of humor and yeah.” Vince Lee has always loved working with his hands, starting at the Puget Sound Na- val Shipyard in Bremerton before going to Central Kitsap School District and finally North Mason. . In his free time he tends to a huge, beauti- fully manicured garden, Ruthruff said. “He loves his yard, loves the outdoors . asses tat ,, g: “it is just the joy.” Because Vince’s right leg is becoming too weak to operate the golf cart, the family is using the GoFundMe to retrofit the cart so he can drive with his hands. “Our yard is beautiful and he still works out there to the best of his abilities to this day,” Susan Lee said, “that’s his passion.” Susan Lee said she hopes that same com- munity support and energy that allowed the family to purchase a golf cart can be chan- neled toward contributing to the ALS Asso- ciation Evergreen Chapter, which has been a “huge help” to the Lee family. “They have support groups and access to medical things like wheelchairs, tablets to work on — whatever you need,” Susan Lee said, “they’ll work their hardest to get it for you and they do it quickly. So if anything, I’d ask people to donate to the ALS Evergreen Chapter.” Susan said Vince’s condition has been _worsening rapidly, he has lost his ability to speak and communicates with his family and friends using a tablet. ' “We’ve just been taking it day by day,” Susan Lee said, “we’ve been staying positive and hoping for the best.” Susan and their daughter, Alex, also work for the school district, as a bus driver and activity assistant, respectively. Though Susan and Alex Lee were laid off as a result of the districts’ remote start, the district has allowed Vince to work from home. , “People are being so supportive at the school district,” Susan Lee said, “it’s just hard to believe that so many people have him in their thoughts.” The ALS Evergreen Chapter can be found online at webwa.alsa.org. ‘ North Mason School District warehouse manager Vince Lee was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), com- monly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, in September. Courtesy photo Susan Lee, Vince Lee’s wife