Help ECCD Rebuild After Fire
Donation protected
2020 certainly was a challenging year for all. With a global pandemic impacting every human interaction, the entire world was looking to the close of this "unprecedented" year with hope of reopening, rebuilding, healing. For far too many, 2020 included loss, pain, and struggle. Sadly, on the evening of December 29th, Travis Fletcher and Jaime Marcum, were dealt a devastating final blow from 2020. They got a call and learned that Travis's business was engulfed in flames.
After receiving that call, they arrived at the shop, in time only to helplessly watch as East Carolina Coating and Designs,
Everyone reading this who knows Travis and Jaime, knows that they are truly genuinely KIND and GOOD people who are natural born helpers who have helped more people (and animals) than can be counted! Much of the kindness and generosity they have shown to so many over the years is only known to those they've shown it to, as they go about helping others quietly. Their kindness has been displayed countless times, showing up as an unexpected gift sent to someone in need, dropping everything on a dime to lend assistance, Travis routinely undercharging customers, or Jaime's enormous passion for helping helpless animals. These things are just what they do and who they are.
One of their acts of kindness, which is unknown to many, makes this situation even more tragic. Several years ago, Travis met a man who was living on the streets. The man was struggling with addiction, had no support system and nowhere to go, but craved an opportunity to change his circumstances. Travis built a friendship with him, took him in, provided him with a full-time job, and eventually built him an apartment within the shop at his own expense so he could have a home, rent free. Travis and Jaime became his support system, getting him the help he needed and providing him ongoing support and accountability to get clean and sober. Their friend has now been employed with ECCD for 3 years and most importantly, has led a clean lifestyle as a result of Travis seeing this man's true value. Travis and Jaime not only have lost their business, but their friend has lost his home.
Another thing we all know about Travis and Jaime, is that they are both fiercely independent and extremely hard working- which makes it nearly impossible for them to accept help, much less ask for it. Travis grew his business from what was once a small side job, starting with just a couple thousand dollars. He honed his skill and artistry, ultimately developing a one-of- a kind method and producing award winning work. Long hours are usual, as he works often into the wee hours, until the job is done and he is sure of his customer's satisfaction. After starting in a small shop, his business grew and he was able to lease the large shop. He continually reinvested his earnings with repairs and improvements for the shop to make it into the thriving business it had become.
With Travis' skill and the business following he has, they know that they can rebuild, but without help there is no starting point. There was nothing left to start over with but a few hand tools that were able to be retrieved from the rubble. The challenge of starting from scratch is difficult but, perhaps even more difficult for them, is asking for or receiving help. So, we are honored, on behalf of the many who know and love Jaime and Travis and have benefited from their kindness (and great humor) to ask for help for them. We are happy that we can, together, do something tangible to give them the hand they need now. Please consider a contribution to this fund, which will be used to replace tools, equipment, and develop a path forward for the business and their friend. If you prefer, you could provide gift cards to Lowe's or Harbor Freight, or a direct donation through Paypal ([email redacted]) or or Cash App ($TravisECCD).
Every contribution helps-we cannot thank you enough.
For more pictures of his work before and after the fire, see East Carolina Coating and Designs.
After receiving that call, they arrived at the shop, in time only to helplessly watch as East Carolina Coating and Designs,
which he had built over the last decade from virtually nothing more than hard work, grit and perseverance, literally burned to the ground. The cause of the fire has not been determined. Though the "shop cat" was saved and no person was harmed, the emotional toll of watching everything Travis had tirelessly worked for- his entire livelihood- disappear in mere moments is enormous. Beyond that, is the severity of the financial loss. Nothing was salvageable. They lost over $150,000 worth of equipment, tools, supplies and items in the shop, along with the ability to go back to work on Monday and earn a living. The situation is even more dire because they understand that insurance is unlikely to replace any of the contents, even if the leased building is rebuilt.
Everyone reading this who knows Travis and Jaime, knows that they are truly genuinely KIND and GOOD people who are natural born helpers who have helped more people (and animals) than can be counted! Much of the kindness and generosity they have shown to so many over the years is only known to those they've shown it to, as they go about helping others quietly. Their kindness has been displayed countless times, showing up as an unexpected gift sent to someone in need, dropping everything on a dime to lend assistance, Travis routinely undercharging customers, or Jaime's enormous passion for helping helpless animals. These things are just what they do and who they are.
One of their acts of kindness, which is unknown to many, makes this situation even more tragic. Several years ago, Travis met a man who was living on the streets. The man was struggling with addiction, had no support system and nowhere to go, but craved an opportunity to change his circumstances. Travis built a friendship with him, took him in, provided him with a full-time job, and eventually built him an apartment within the shop at his own expense so he could have a home, rent free. Travis and Jaime became his support system, getting him the help he needed and providing him ongoing support and accountability to get clean and sober. Their friend has now been employed with ECCD for 3 years and most importantly, has led a clean lifestyle as a result of Travis seeing this man's true value. Travis and Jaime not only have lost their business, but their friend has lost his home.
Another thing we all know about Travis and Jaime, is that they are both fiercely independent and extremely hard working- which makes it nearly impossible for them to accept help, much less ask for it. Travis grew his business from what was once a small side job, starting with just a couple thousand dollars. He honed his skill and artistry, ultimately developing a one-of- a kind method and producing award winning work. Long hours are usual, as he works often into the wee hours, until the job is done and he is sure of his customer's satisfaction. After starting in a small shop, his business grew and he was able to lease the large shop. He continually reinvested his earnings with repairs and improvements for the shop to make it into the thriving business it had become.
With Travis' skill and the business following he has, they know that they can rebuild, but without help there is no starting point. There was nothing left to start over with but a few hand tools that were able to be retrieved from the rubble. The challenge of starting from scratch is difficult but, perhaps even more difficult for them, is asking for or receiving help. So, we are honored, on behalf of the many who know and love Jaime and Travis and have benefited from their kindness (and great humor) to ask for help for them. We are happy that we can, together, do something tangible to give them the hand they need now. Please consider a contribution to this fund, which will be used to replace tools, equipment, and develop a path forward for the business and their friend. If you prefer, you could provide gift cards to Lowe's or Harbor Freight, or a direct donation through Paypal ([email redacted]) or or Cash App ($TravisECCD).
Every contribution helps-we cannot thank you enough.
For more pictures of his work before and after the fire, see East Carolina Coating and Designs.
Fundraising team (2)
Kari Johnston
Organizer
Clayton, NC
Travis Fletcher
Beneficiary
Jaime Marcum
Team member
