Fundraiser for Jack Carnes Sr.

Hosted by:

Linda Carnes

Randy Reichelderfer

“The helper” needs our help.

Jack Carnes Sr. is in need of some help.

Hello, I’m Linda Carnes, Jack Carnes' daughter-in-law, wife of Jack's son “Chinker” of 28+ years. I couldn’t ask for better In-laws. They have always been there for me. Now it’s our turn to take care of them. I would like to reach out to as many friends and fellow boating community, as possible, to ask for your help. Jack Carnes has lived on the river in California, Ohio, his whole life.

For 53 years, he and his wife Bess have been in their home on Berte St.

Jack has made it through every flood, over the many years, but this last flood has taken most everything from him. Jack is now 85 years old. He is physically disabled, and financially drained dealing with the health issues that have affected he and Bess. What needs to be replaced cannot be, without our help! Jack is now dependent on a walker due to multiple back surgeries. He lives in his semi-finished basement because he can't manage the steps in the back of the house or the long walk from the front door to his garage.

A handful of people tried to prepare Jack's living space for the flood but it just wasn't enough.

Refrigerator, cabinets, washer, dryer, HVAC, TV, water heater, drywall, furniture, mattresses, dresser and all his clothes were lost. Not just river water, but for some reason the sewer systems backed up and really created a problem.

Through the ups and downs of living on the river, Jack has been there for his community, the local neighborhood of California OH. Everyone knew they could come to Jack for help. He literally was the "Jack of All Trades."

Hi, my name is Randy. I've known Jack Carnes for 36 years. He helped get my boat repair business started in 1989. For decades I watched Jack hold the boating community together. If you had a houseboat in Cincinnati, you knew Jack Carnes. You knew there wasn't anyone with any more knowledge or any more fair than Jack.

Jack had a full time business of working on boats. Pretty much 7 days a week. I've never known him to take a vacation. His neighborhood and customers always came first. You could always stop by and get whatever was broken and Jack would fix it.

Jack also always had his mind on the weather. Which, as we all know, is tied to the river. He followed the rain and river forecasts to make sure the neighborhood and his customers were prepared. As the water began to flood the low lying areas, Jack gladly took extra boats and campers to safety. And on the worst of high water he could be found at my marina, California Yacht Club, keeping it safe.

I have witnessed Jack take care of 100s and 100s of people over the years. If not fixing something or saving someone, he could be found feeding local people who just needed a hand. Nothing stopped him from always doing the right thing. Even stray animals found shelter with Jack.

Please, if you would consider helping, it would be greatly appreciated!

Sincerely,

Linda Carnes

Randy Reichelderfer