Joe was my dental patient at Legacy Dental Temecula for years. He's a kind, gentle British man in his mid-60s with long hair, little round glasses (at the time) and one of the best smiles in my practice. He came in for his cleanings like clockwork.

A while back, a medical condition started making him fall asleep at his desk job without warning. He fought it as hard as he could, but he lost the job. Then he lost his apartment and his phone. At his last cleaning, he told me he'd probably end up homeless. He has no family in this area or in this country.

I thought about Joe a lot over the next few months. Then one day, at a gas station in Murrieta, I saw a man who looked like him. I rolled down my window and called out, "Hey Joe!" He turned around and said, "I'm Joe!"

He's living in a homeless shelter in Murrieta now. The day before I saw him, someone at the shelter had beaten him up for no reason. His face was bruised and his lip was cut. But he smiled big and said, "My teeth are still great, though!"

Joe is drug-free and alcohol-free, and he's a genuinely good man who ran out of luck. He can't feel his left foot, so even getting around on a bike is hard.

Life's not fair, but we can be a little kinder than it has to be. I'm starting this fund and giving first. Any amount helps. Every dollar goes to Joe, and he can decide what he needs most, whether that's a room, food, transportation, medical care, or a fresh start.

If a lot of people gave five or 10 bucks even, I think it would go a long way share this with whoever you like.

Thank you for helping Joe. All funds will go to Joe to help him eat better and take care his medical needs. His dental needs are taken care of by me so no funds will go towards that.

Dr. Andy Tibbitts

Legacy Dental Temecula