Arson Fire Victims: Help rebuild Harvard Shoe Repair, Oregon

[My father has decided to not continue with the business. We are trying to find someone who wants to continue the shoe repair business.] My name is Joseph Lee. I am from Roseburg, Oregon, and I am raising funds for my parents who just had their livelihood, a shoe repair shop, burned in what seems to be an act of arson. This is the last shoe repair store still in existence in Roseburg.

For over 32 years, my hardworking parents and I have operated this humble shoe repair shop. My parents made it possible for me and my sister to attend college by repairing over 100,000 shoes for this community.

Today, at 3am, our store was burned down, following threatening text messages from a local. I am committed to helping restore our building and seek justice, but I'm not sure how much we will need to cover in terms of legal fees. We've lost over $40,000 in rare old shoe repair machines, computers, cameras, and several hundred pounds of leather goods. Insurance will only recoup $2,200 in personal items and $2,500 in others' personal property.

I'm not asking for any handouts, but humbly invite anyone who wishes to help. My parents are aged 69 and 72 years old, and they're still working hard to this day. I'd like to help them rebuild and move on with their lives. Thank you for considering helping my parents cope with this unimaginable setback. Your support means everything to me.

These funds will be used to repair the store and replace equipment.