Help ‘Mr Vinegar‘ battle Cancer

Hi, my name is Cindy and we are fundraising for Dan Johnson, our local craftsman/builder friend and neighbor.

To those of us who know this couple (Dan & Annelies) - perhaps a comparison like sugar and vinegar is most appropriate.

Dan “Mr. Vinegar” is one of the most talented self-employed builders that we have ever met.

When we moved to the Foothills, we were looking for a general contractor to do structural repairs to our home. Many neighbors offered up his name as a reference. Dan has lived most of his life in Yuba County. He worked for us without a contract. Trust and reliability would describe Dan’s work ethic.

His carpentry skills and craftsmanship are comparable to very few. He knows his woods and the best building practices of days gone by.

We still are not sure how he won over the heart of his wife Annelies. She is definitely his better half and helps keep him organized and focused. She has proven to have a Mother Theresa-like heart when it comes to putting up with all of his country boy shenanigans and tall tales.

However, Dan has another side to him. He is a very giving soul. On any given day, he would be the first to offer help with any construction needs. He worked day and night to help rebuild the area homes after the horrific Cascade fire. Of course that service has hindered him financially.

After years of trying to determine specific health issues and coming close to losing his life several times, Dan was finally diagnosed with both liver and colon cancer. And to make matters worse, Annelies left her career to be with Dan as his full-time caregiver. The latest surgery left Dan in the ICU and under hospital care for almost two weeks. The experts have given him hope that they will be able to ‘beat’ this monster with enough time and treatment. That said, neither Dan nor Annelies has any realistic means of continuing to financially cover the exorbitant costs of these ongoing surgeries and treatments.

They hope to not lose the home they built together from the ground up and survive the cost of day-to-day expenses as they start the chemo phase of his treatment.

It may be our time to return their kindness. Please consider giving back to a couple who taught us that people with great talent and skills are often right next door. They have made living in the Foothills a place where we are truly among caring friends.

Please consider donating anything you can to help this couple through a rough time.