Giving hearts, thankful heart
Wes Wilson is a Silver Valley resident who has been on the receiving end of the community's generosity for the last few weeks after finding out that his cancer treatments have not been working, and that his job was being eliminated.
Courtesy photo
Friendship and giving with a cheerful heart are at the center of a social media fundraising effort going on right now.
Last month, Wes Wilson, a 57-year-old Silver Valley native, found out recently that the chemotherapy that he had been going through to fight his cancer was no longer working. Then to top it off, he was told that his job was being eliminated the day after Thanksgiving due to the pandemic — which also happened to be his birthday.
Rick Coe, a close friend of Wilson’s, decided that he wasn’t going to sit idly by and let his friend walk through his situation alone, so he jumped into action.
“I’ve known Wes 45-plus years. His father, Carl Wilson, worked with my mother, Margie Coe, at Stein's IGA in Osburn. Carl was a fantastic person who was known and loved by many,” Coe said. “Wes is a fantastic person with a tragic story who needs help.”
Using the Facebook Fundraisers tool, Coe has been able to raise more than $8,000 in about three weeks and is looking to hit or even surpass the fundraiser’s $10,000 goal.
The money from the donations is going toward things like Wilson's living expenses, as well as hospital and clinic visits.
Coe, a Silver Valley native who recently came back into the area after living in Wisconsin for several years, is using his 2,000 strong, nationwide Facebook friends list to make this fundraiser a cross-country event.
“Wes Wilson really is a wonderful soul and in this time of uncertainty in his life’s journey, I’d love for him to know the whole country is behind him, not just Wallace residents or (fellow) graduates of WHS,” Coe said.
Wilson was humbled by the support that he’s received so far and went as far as posting his thanks online so the people donating had an opportunity to interact with the person that they were supporting.
“I am completely at a loss of words for the outpouring of love and support being made by everyone,” Wilson wrote. “This is by far the most touching thing that has ever happened to me. I am truly humbled and grateful for the support.”
The Facebook page fundraiser for Wes Wilson is set to be active for the next 28 days if anyone would like to donate. There are also plans for a silent auction to be held for Wilson after the new year.