If you are a business owner, or know of one, that would like to help government furloughed employees, Email YourStories@kfmb.com.
NATIONAL CITY (NEWS 8) – A family out of National City on Tuesday were overjoyed that Chris Lee, a small business owner in Carlsbad, stepped in to help them during the partial government shutdown.
The National City family asked to remain anonymous because of the father’s federal job. They have now had their $2,250 a month rent covered by Chris Lee – a Carlsbad small business owner.
Last week, Lee told News 8 he was making a commitment to help those affected by the shutdown. “We are going to get through this together,” he said at the time.
Lee was inspired by his former FBI working father. Lee put out the call Friday and with the government shutdown now in its 25th day, the response was great.
The National City family told News 8 they reached out to Chris after News 8 aired his story last week.
Brian Vincik of Securematics also helped another family in La Mesa impacted by the partial government shutdown.
Their letter said: “This gesture of kindness that my family received from a local business owner eases the stress. Their unselfishness to openly offer and pay our mortgage has been the best.”
“We have the capability as local business leaders to do something,” said Vincik.
Lee has challenged other local businesses to help furloughed workers. He said more than a dozen federal workers have contacted him – way more than he can help.
Another San Diego business has stepped up by paying three federal workers’ grocery bills and the owner of the Calypso Café, located at 505 Grande Caribe Causeway in Coronado says they will provide free breakfasts to furloughed federal employees.
The world famous Harlem Globetrotters announced Wednesday that the team is offering complimentary game tickets to any U.S. government employee currently on furlough to the 2019 Fan Powered North American tour. The Globetrotters have games throughout Southern California in February, including:
Friday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. – Walter Pyramid at Long Beach State University
Saturday, Feb. 16 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario
Sunday, Feb. 17 at 2 p.m. – STAPLES Center in Los Angeles
Friday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. – Pechanga Arena San Diego
Saturday, Feb. 23 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Honda Center in Anaheim
Sunday, Feb. 24 at 2 p.m. – Pechanga Arena San Diego
“As the Ambassadors of Goodwill, we want to show our support to all those government workers whose paychecks, and by extension their families, are directly impacted,” said Globetrotter President Howard Smith.
Any U.S. government employee currently on furlough can show their valid government ID at their local box office and receive two complimentary tickets to a Harlem Globetrotter game in North America while supplies last. The offer is only valid during the current government shutdown and is not valid on previously purchased tickets.
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