I met Jake over 10 years ago when I started attending family events with my husband, Patrick. Jake is married to my husband's cousin, Jenni. Jake and Jenni are two of the kindest people you can meet, always seeing the best in people and both of them built careers centered on serving others. His laugh is infectious, and he has given back to others in so many different chapters of his life, including officiating our wedding and announcing that we were expecting our daughter to our extended family at our Thanksgiving meal. Jake prefers to be the one helping people instead of asking for help, but now it’s time for us to give back to him.

Jake Edwards started his own handyman services business three years ago, and it quickly became more than just a way to support his family—it became a way to give back to his community. From helping older customers with small tasks like programming their TV remotes, to installing new bedroom doors for a couple preparing for their first child, Jake has always gone above and beyond for those around him.

On Monday evening, the tools & equipment Jake relies on every day were stolen from his truck. Without these tools and supplies, he cannot complete his booked jobs or provide for his family. While many generous people have already offered tools for Jake to borrow, the reality is that he needs to replace his most essential items to get back to work. A police report has been filed and there is an ongoing investigation with promising leads, but the chances of recovering his stolen tools are unlikely. When accounting for jobs lost this week due to lack of tools, the cost to appropriately store and secure tools, and the retail value of what was stolen, the deficit of almost $10,000 is crippling for a small, one person business.

The funds raised will go directly toward replacing Jake’s most needed tools first. The next goal is be able to fix his work trailer and trailer plug on his truck so his materials can be stored securely moving forward. Any additional funds will go directly toward rebuilding and growing Make It Jake’s Handyman Services so he can continue meeting the needs of his customers. Any support you can offer will help Jake get back on his feet and keep making a difference in the lives of those around him.

As hard as it is for Jake to ask for help, he cannot recover these losses on his own. With your help, he can get Make It Jake's back on its feet and serving the Kansas City community with the reliable and trustworthy service it deserves. To begin the process of rebuilding, this is what he needs:

▪️ A basic set of M18 Milwaukee power tools (a drill driver, hammer drill, circular saw, multi tool, etc.).

▪️ A few M18 batteries/chargers to power the tools.

▪️ A set of hand tools (hammer, pry bar, speed square, screw drivers, chisels, etc.).

▪️ Improved security system to secure his tools like padlocks, security cables, and air tags on storage.

▪️ Repair to trailer plug on the truck side so he can transport and store tools in his work trailer.

The goal is to raise money to assist with tool and security needs. Each donation, no matter the amount, will help the recovery process. Together, we can rebuild Make It Jake's. Here is an idea of how each gift will help Jake rebuild his "tool box":

▪️$0: Any referrals or leads is a great way for his business to keep going! You can find contact info at his page: Make It Jake's Handyman Services.

▪️$0: If Jake has worked for you in the past and you'd like to leave a Google Review, that would be much appreciated.

▪️$0: Please share this fundraiser or reach out to Jake with any other questions.

▪️ $5-$20: Replace the supplies lost, like wood screws, nails, caulk, gloves, wood glue, painters tape, etc.

▪️ $25-$50: This amount will help with providing cables, locks, drill drivers, bits and the hand tools he needs.

▪️ $50-$100: A gift of this size will help replace the lost batteries and chargers.

▪️ $100-$200: Jake will be able to purchase new power tools like drills, a circular saw, multi tool, Sawzall, and more.

▪️ $200+: He can rebuild the more specialized tools that were lost in the theft, like a mitre saw and nailers. This generous donation would also allow Jake to address the electrical system on his work truck, so he can use his trailer for transportation and security of all business supplies.

Jake is so very grateful for your time and donations. This reminds him that we do not exist alone but in a community/connection with one another. You all have been a pleasant reminder of this reality. Thank you!