Community helping rebuild shop lost in fire

Noah Jinson, 8, left, stears clear as his dad, Scott, tosses a piece of scorched metal siding onto a pile while cleaning up after last week's fire at Don Jinson's shed/workshop on Big Horn Drive.
Noah Jinson, 8, left, stears clear as his dad, Scott, tosses a piece of scorched metal siding onto a pile while cleaning up after last week's fire at Don Jinson's shed/workshop on Big Horn Drive.

The Jefferson City community is stepping up to help a local man whose backyard shop recently caught on fire.

Don Jinson, of Jefferson City, lost his tools, furniture, a refrigerator and freezers in the blaze, which occurred while he was visiting his daughter in the hospital. Red cross volunteer Sierra Thomas learned of Jinson's misfortune and reached out to others able to help him.

Through social media, a collaborative formed to help Jinson. Volunteers cleaned up the shop debris on Monday.

When the Yellow Ribbon Fades: Missouri's Joining Forces, a veterans' advocacy nonprofit organization, is also assisting the Korean War veteran. A fund has been established to pay for construction materials, landscaping and tool replacement at Home Savings Bank, 130 E. McCarty St. The organization is seeking more volunteers to rebuild the shop.

Anyone interested in getting involved can call Pat Rowe Kerr at 573-462-9531 or Melissa Jinson at 573-821-5395.