Not your average Joe

Joe could use our help. His life has taken a few ugly turns in the past few years and it's sometimes hard to get back on a good course alone. I think we can help him. Joe is a cook in the cafe of our office building. He shows up to work every day, bright and early, with a smile on his face and ready to serve. He cooks us breakfast, makes us lunch, and he mixes in a lot of humor. He manages to keep the smile on his face, and put a smile on our face, while inside he knows he's in a daily grind where it is hard to get ahead.

I've come to know Joe over the past several years. Joe is recently divorced, and lost custody of his special needs daughter. He also made a bad decision along the way and lost his drivers license. With this combination, he rarely gets to see his daughter. He has since straightened out his path, and he is close to getting his license back. While struggling with this, his is also now facing the need to have some serious dental work done, all that is expensive, and all without any dental insurance.

To me, his situation is like being in quick sand. I can't imagine myself walking by and not putting a hand out to pull him to the edge. I think with some help from others, he could get his license back ($), get his dental work taken care of ($$), and start to see his daughter again. Beyond that, I think Joe could get some additional chef training ($$) and elevate himself to a better paying job that includes health benefits. This would get him out of the quick sand and climbing towards a better future.

For the record, Joe is also a veteran of the US Navy. He served our country from 1980 to 1984 as a Navy cook, and basically has been cooking and serving people ever since, all with a smile.

Please excuse the photo I took of him. He had no idea why I was aiming my phone at him. I think his look says it all!