Roger - Home is where the heart is
Donation protected
Lifelong West Seattlite, Roger Baker, or "Mr. Baker" as he's known to students at Denny Middle School, recently lost his house and most of his belongings to an electrical fire. The home had been in the Baker family for about 40 years and, updated from initial reports (single wall damage ), is essentially a total loss due to internal damage and the prohibitively expensive cost to rebuild.
This is the same home Roger returned to 20 years ago to help care for his ailing parents. In 2009 he obtained his current position as custodian at Denny MS. In the intervening years, while also working full time, Roger helped provide elder care for his parents -- driving them to and from appointments, family events, and taking care of the home. His mother passed away several years ago, followed by his father more recently.
The Baker family, tribal members of the Turtle Mountain band of Chippewa, has deep, longstanding roots in West Seattle. Multi-generational graduates of West Seattle schools, the Bakers are a strong and close-knit family...which makes Roger's loss all the more upsetting as he no longer has a place to live.
Over the past week, Roger and his family have fended off companies bent on capitalizing on tragedy while also salvaging what memories they can from the home. Several boxes of family heirlooms were lost in the fire, an antique Turtle Mountain tribal lamp was completely destroyed, as was most of his home furnishings. Smoke severely damaged what few items the fire failed to consume.
This GoFundMe is set up to help Roger get back up on his feet. West Seattle is where Roger's heart is. Despite rising rental costs, it is our sincerest hope that we can find a modest place for him in West Seattle or Burien so he may remain a neighbor and member of our community.
As he and his family navigate the next steps for the home and property, we are hoping to raise enough funds to cover up to 9 months of rent in the area and to replace his clothing and home furnishings. Full calculations are below if you are interested.
If you are interested in donating household items, furnishings, or have leads on one bedroom units, please let us know! (In regard to housing, he is a non-drinker, non-smoker, and has no pets.)
NOTE about campaign arranger and funding: I am a West Seattle neighbor of Roger Baker's brother. I've known the Bakers for nearly 10 years and we are like family. Payout for this campaign will go directly to Roger Baker -- not through me. Fees associated with this campaign will be withdrawn by GoFundMe prior to payout and will be deducted from final amount raised (no fees paid by donors).
Calculations - $17,500 (max target)
Avg Rent (WS or Burien) - $9,900 (~$1,100 per month)
Deposit / Moving Expenses - $1,000
Furnishings / Home Goods - $5,000
Clothing - $600
Misc (utilities set up, fees, unexpected expenses, etc.) - $1000
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CAMPAIGN GOAL NOTE: Though the goal is $17,500, it is by no means 'required'. GoFundMe allows campaigns to keep whatever funds are raised. My objective is to raise as much as I can to help Roger get set for a bit. On behalf of the Bakers, I want everyone to know how much we appreciate everyone's contributions! (MW - 07/27)
This is the same home Roger returned to 20 years ago to help care for his ailing parents. In 2009 he obtained his current position as custodian at Denny MS. In the intervening years, while also working full time, Roger helped provide elder care for his parents -- driving them to and from appointments, family events, and taking care of the home. His mother passed away several years ago, followed by his father more recently.
The Baker family, tribal members of the Turtle Mountain band of Chippewa, has deep, longstanding roots in West Seattle. Multi-generational graduates of West Seattle schools, the Bakers are a strong and close-knit family...which makes Roger's loss all the more upsetting as he no longer has a place to live.
Over the past week, Roger and his family have fended off companies bent on capitalizing on tragedy while also salvaging what memories they can from the home. Several boxes of family heirlooms were lost in the fire, an antique Turtle Mountain tribal lamp was completely destroyed, as was most of his home furnishings. Smoke severely damaged what few items the fire failed to consume.
This GoFundMe is set up to help Roger get back up on his feet. West Seattle is where Roger's heart is. Despite rising rental costs, it is our sincerest hope that we can find a modest place for him in West Seattle or Burien so he may remain a neighbor and member of our community.
As he and his family navigate the next steps for the home and property, we are hoping to raise enough funds to cover up to 9 months of rent in the area and to replace his clothing and home furnishings. Full calculations are below if you are interested.
If you are interested in donating household items, furnishings, or have leads on one bedroom units, please let us know! (In regard to housing, he is a non-drinker, non-smoker, and has no pets.)
NOTE about campaign arranger and funding: I am a West Seattle neighbor of Roger Baker's brother. I've known the Bakers for nearly 10 years and we are like family. Payout for this campaign will go directly to Roger Baker -- not through me. Fees associated with this campaign will be withdrawn by GoFundMe prior to payout and will be deducted from final amount raised (no fees paid by donors).
Calculations - $17,500 (max target)
Avg Rent (WS or Burien) - $9,900 (~$1,100 per month)
Deposit / Moving Expenses - $1,000
Furnishings / Home Goods - $5,000
Clothing - $600
Misc (utilities set up, fees, unexpected expenses, etc.) - $1000
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
CAMPAIGN GOAL NOTE: Though the goal is $17,500, it is by no means 'required'. GoFundMe allows campaigns to keep whatever funds are raised. My objective is to raise as much as I can to help Roger get set for a bit. On behalf of the Bakers, I want everyone to know how much we appreciate everyone's contributions! (MW - 07/27)
Organizer and beneficiary
Michelle Whelan
Organizer
Seattle, WA
Benita Baker
Beneficiary