Community Support For Pringle House Project!

What began as a typical day turned into a nightmare that left a senior citizen without his home. The senior citizen is 76-year-old Jacob Pringle, or “JP” as he is known to nearly everyone. The nightmare was a devastating house fire which began in the electrical wiring in the ceiling of his nearly 100-year-old wood frame home. JP had been outside working on his truck, but when he noticed smoke, he did all that he could to try to stop the blaze. Within minutes fire engulfed the bedroom, and soon it had spread throughout. The Fire Department was called and arrived quickly to battle the flames. However, what remains of JP’s home cannot be lived in.

Jacob “JP” Pringle is Known throughout the Harrisonburg/ Rockingham community as a kind, respectful, giving person, who lives a simple life and will give a helping hand to anyone in need….and never expects anything in return. A businessman in the community described him this way, “J.P. is the guy who will stop if your car is broke down on the side of the road. He’ll help anyone at any time, and always greets you with a smile.” One woman in the community had this to say, “I can always count on J.P. to help me bring in my groceries, or fix any little thing I need repaired, and he won’t look for payment…he just says we’re neighbors.” Members of First Baptist Church, where Mr. Pringle attends, state that “JP kept the lawn cut for 2 years at no charge. And JP quietly repairs things at the neighborhood playground just so that kids can have safe place to play.”

Thankfully, no one was physically injured in the fire, but the home was destroyed. And due to the age of the house there was no fire insurance. Unless people come together to help this good neighbor, Jacob Pringle will have no home. He has lost nearly everything he worked most of his life to acquire. Yet, we can take action as a

‘caring community’ to help a local senior man at a very difficult time. JP is a person who has very little but has given to many. At age 76, JP is still going strong and works daily, but this is a bigger task than one man can tackle. Imagine how it feels to watch your home burn down.

Soon after the fire, a group of concerned friends, community leaders, church members, and business people formed a committee (Team Pringle) to help organize efforts to clear J.P.’s lot, to arrange for temporary housing, to access non-profit services to help JP, and to talk with contractors about helping to rebuild his home. Now JP needs help from all of us. It will require about $150,000 to build him a two-bedroom house in Harrisonburg, VA. Will you step forward to help contribute funds for this worthy cause? Please donate whatever you can to get this done for JP.