My name is Lola, I’m a self-employed artist in Seattle, and I’m fundraising for my partner, Ember, whose business was recently stolen.

Two years ago, my partner of 13 years took a huge leap of faith and started his own landscaping/hardscaping business after his daughter graduated high school and moved out on her own.

He did so with no starting capital, living on a shoestring budget, and with an admirable amount of faith that he could get his business off the ground and support himself being self-employed.

Two years in, as he was just getting to a point where he was feeling financially stable, his work vehicle suffered a catastrophic failure.

Not wanting to leave clients hanging, or risk his already narrow income, he took out a loan to buy a used vehicle, putting himself into pretty serious debt for the first time.

Two weeks ago, this new truck was stolen from in front of his house, with all of his work tools, equipment, rain gear, etc. in it.

Knowing he was fully insured, and despite his frustration, he pulled himself together enough to tackle the paperwork involved in making an insurance claim.

Already in debt, and now out of work until this is all settled, his loved ones have pulled together to help as much as we’re able. But until he can get back to work, he’s struggling to stay afloat (rent, bills, etc).

The truck was eventually found, abandoned in a neighboring city - having been in a collision, steering column ruined, door handles torn off, crack pipes jammed in the seats, etc. And of course all of the tools, equipment, and personal property were gone. We are still waiting the hear from an insurance adjuster what can be done, but they are projecting that he will be given $2500 for repairs. He’s already spent $400 just to get it out of impound and towed to a shop for assessment, and the damages will surely take more than the remaining $2100. Not to mention the $10,000 he still owes on the truck.

Yesterday, he found out that his business insurance is refusing to cover the $5000 worth of tools and equipment, because it was parked at his house, not on “business property” and his renter’s insurance is refusing to help because it was work equipment.

All of this is to say, he’s in a really tight spot. He’s trying to be strong but the number of blows, in such rapid succession, is claiming all his hope, and he’s struggling to keep on.

He now has to wait out getting his truck fixed, which could take a couple of months, and quite a lot of money, and re-buy all of his equipment. He is out of work until this can be done and in the meantime, he has very little money to live on.

He is a wonderfully giving person who has been known to put himself out for the sake of others. One example that comes to mind is from a couple of years ago, when he bought a large number of socks and hand-warmers and made gift packages to hand out to people on the street who could use some help from a kind spirit.

I’m hoping this and his many other good deeds will be returned to him in his time of need.

Donations will be used to re-buy his lost equipment and possibly help with truck repairs.

Your help could get him back on his feet and working again sooner than later, and will be greatly appreciated!

Asking for help is never easy, so thanks for listening and I hope you all have a safe and sound holiday season!

Sincerely, Lola Ocian