An online campaign is raising funds to replace the tools destroyed in the Winchester Marshall Chevrolet fire.
The rear portion of the Scott County dealership was totally engulfed when firefighters arrived at the scene last weekend. The only thing standing from the building was the oil change room.
Amongst the blaze was a large collection of tools belonging to six mechanics employed at Marshall Chevrolet.
Mechanic James Jesse estimates that up to $40-thousand in tools was lost in the fire. Jesse was devastated when the insurance company informed the dealership that personal tools destroyed in the fire would not be reimbursed.
“You are looking at $200-300 for a set of sockets or a ratchet at $180. All the air tools we use are anywhere from $200-400 per tool. We all have to have air impacts, air ratchets and grinders, because we never know what we are going to run into. It is the specialty tools that are really expensive.”
A GoFundMe account was created this week to provide some assistance for the Marshall Chevrolet mechanics.
Jesse says “he really felt part of the community” when money started coming into the GoFundMe account and tools were being donated to the dealership.
“You’re providing a service that people respect and they want to come help. It is kind of like they are giving back to us, after what we have given to them. I think there is over $3-thousand donated and it has only been up for 24 hours. It has just been fantastic getting help from different people and dealerships.”
There is no deadline for the fundraiser. To make a donation, click here.