Hello gofundme community!  Let me start by telling you a little about myself.  My name is Evan Klein and I help run the day to day operations of my family's small business Chick's Frame & Wheel. We are a local automotive/truck repair shop.  

In October I was tasked with hiring a new technician and that's how I was introduced to Bernhardt.  Bernhardt's skill set was a perfect match for our shop so I was happy to bring him in for an interview.  I was ready to hire him on the spot, but he seemed hesitant and wanted to explain his situation.  Bernhardt had fallen on hard times.  His previous employer of over fifteen years had let him go at the start of the pandemic.  Bernhardt also had to sell off most of his possessions which left him homeless in the process.  He is currently living in a homeless shelter in downtown Fresno.  My father and I were sympathetic  to his situation and wanted to help as best we could.  I was able to get most of his tools back from the pawn shop and give him some "walking around" money.  Bernhardt has been a model employee since we hired him. I admire his work ethic and despite all the odds being against him, he doesn't make excuses and works extremely hard in hopes to save enough to get back on his feet for him and his family.

Fast forward to January, Bernhardt had saved enough money to get his own place.  We were so overjoyed for him, but this was short-lived.  Turns out the individual renting "their" house was a previous tenant who never returned the key's.  Bernhardt had become a victim of fraud for over three thousand dollars.  (First & last months rent + security deposit)  This became evident when the owner of the home and sheriffs department knocked on his door the next day.  We are looking to raise three thousand dollars to reimburse Bernhardt for the money stolen and help him get a home and out of the homeless shelter.

Any donation helps and is extremely appreciated. Let's help a hard working man turn his life around. Thank you!