Grocery Worker's Car Crushed by Ancient Oak

ORIGINAL $5000 GOAL REACHED (and updated) !!! Within 3 days!!!Thank you. Read UPDATES below. Here is the original verbiage:


My buddy Tom woke up to find his 1988 Lincoln Gran Marquis had been destroyed in the tornado-like winds which hit New Kensington around 1:30 am Wednesday April 8, 2020.  Tom is a grocery store worker who has one of the strongest work ethics of anyone I know.  Tom lives 7 miles from the Shop and Save he works at in Russelton, PA.  In the past when Tom has not had enough money for a car, he has walked the 7 miles (one way) to work in the most inclement of weather (as in: Dead of Winter).  And I'm not talking about for a few days... for months.  I and others would drive him as schedules allowed, but often we were not available.


Tom is a vintage 70's high school graduate (Yes, that puts him in or close to the at-risk group).  Yet, Tom continues to show up and unload pallets of the grocery store items we all get to buy.  Yesterday, he unloaded and stocked 300 (!) cases.


If you are able to spare a sawbuck or two to help Tom get a replacement car, please lend a hand.  Tom, his Shop and Save customers, I, and the universe would be ever so grateful.


Thank you!


Paul


ADDENDUM 1: When the original $5000 goal was reached, I reflected on the three decades Tom has worked in grocery service. I thought of the times Tom had to haul hundreds of gallons of water from the Milligantown spring when he could not afford his water bill, of the many days over the years without electricity, hot water, or gas. Even in the middle of travails, Tom has always worked hard and been cheerful and kind to others. Tom buys food on sale all year to host an annual Christmas party, at which every female is given a rose. That’s the kind of guy Tom is: nice.


In my reflection, I thought how nice it would be if Tom could emerge from this (crappy) C-19 thing on an even playing field... not behind the 8-ball.


The original $5,000 was solicited to provide a replacement vehicle for Tom. It will be used for that and I will post pics when he has a new car/van/truck. Any donations beyond $5,000 will be used for debts, ignored medical conditions, perhaps a down payment on a house where his rent budget could be going to building equity in his own home. I am a neophyte at social media and request that if this story touches you, could you please share / repost it? God bless you. God bless America