Don Stevens Fire (Total Loss)

My name is Ken Stevens, and I am starting this fundraiser to help my neighbor Don Stevens (no relation). Don may not be a relative, but he is like family. Last night Don had a total loss fire in his shop. He has lost everything, including his livelihood. In the blink of an eye, everything he had worked so hard for over a lifetime is gone. His insurance company refused to insure his shop because he had a wood stove. Don spent 99% of his time in his shop when home and only went to his house for supper and bedtime. He would spend every ounce of energy every day in his shop working and "playing". For those who know Don, you probably know him as a no-nonsense, hard-working man who tells it like it is. You probably know him as a cabinet maker, a builder, a sign maker, a furniture builder, or maybe just a gruff man that speaks his mind. Which is all pretty accurate, I think. If you don't know Don... he is the edlerly gentleman in the photo, on the roof with a garden hose trying to put out a 5 alarm fire!

We moved next door to Don about 14 years ago, and I can't imagine having a better neighbor. I have always been very private and tend not to speak to my neighbors much, and I think Don could sense this because he would mysteriously plow my driveway in the winter before I even woke up. I eventually caught him in the act and was finally able to thank him. Then, I started watching him and realized he wasn't just doing that for me; he was going down the road and plowing everybody's driveway! Over the years, he continued his constant acts of kindness without asking for anything in return. It seems that nearly once a week, after a hard day's work, this man would find one of his neighbors needing help and spend his evening helping them in any way he could. Don has never asked for a thing in return, and I have always thought I would love to be able to show him how much his neighbors do appreciate his kindness. Well, today is the day! I am asking for help from his neighbors, friends, family, community and beyond to step up and help Don when he needs it. Please give whatever you can in hopes of assisting in allowing him to rebuild his shop. I know the goal here is $20,000, but he needs more than that to replace what he lost. Let's show him what a community can do when we pull together! I don't care if it is $5 or $5,000! Please give what you can.