My name is Brenda and I own FLEURT, which is next door to Wilking Wine and Liquor on Sacramento Street. I am raising money for our dear neighbor Charlie who is unable to fully close his store or hire help while he goes through a medical treatment.

Charlie and his wife Katherine own Wilking Wine and Liquor (3273 Sacramento Street.) Many of you come by to buy snacks, wine, or beverages from their liquor store. You will find them hard at work 6-7 days per week, often not taking more than a half day off on Sundays. They work all holidays selling food items, household items, ice, alcohol, and he always has a smile ready for customers. Charlie watches out for my family andI and he always checks on me. I in turn noticed that they have had an increasing amount of days where they have been closed. Recently they closed for 4 days in a row. If you knew their worth ethic you would find this terribly worrisome. I text him and his son told me he was in the ICU at the hospital but that he was going to be okay. I was shocked to see him 4 days later moving very gingerly into the store. I was floored when he told me that he had half of his lung removed and that he was back at the shop because they had to make rent. He explained that he couldn’t really take time off. He didn’t want Katherine to be here by herself because they have had people steal goods from their store and they been broken into several times this past year. He told me he would rest on a cot in the back of the store so that he could keep her company and so that she can keep an eye on him.

Charlie and Katherine are such great people and they have been around for years at that little store. Charlie is admired and loved by many because he has a big heart, he always has a smile, he is always upbeat, and he does his best to be such a good merchant neighbor. I really think we as a community of merchants, friends, neighbors can help them this season.

He is so deserving of a bit of reprieve in his finances while he goes through treatment and works on his road to recovery. Any amount helps and would work towards him being able to close the store for a while so that he can recover comfortably at home. Thank you in advance and I wish you all good health this season!