Handyman pleaded for job on Kentucky street. Social media led to a wish fulfilled

Out of work due to the coronavirus pandemic, Robert Simpson went to a busy Louisville street corner asking for help.

Instead of asking for money, the longtime handyman asked for something else while standing near an exit off Interstate 64 for a week, according to WDRB.

“Handyman, 25 years exp., Need work,” read a sign Simpson held up, according to a Facebook post by Christy Clauser. The post by Clauser has received more than 6,000 shares from people trying to help Simpson land a job.

Kyle Kark, owner of Louisville’s Green Star Home Remodeling, was among the people who saw that post. He took action by offering Simpson some work, he wrote.

“I among all people know we go through tough times every now and then,” Kark wrote on his business’ Facebook page. “It’s important to remember where you came from and where you’ve been. And just knowing sometimes it take one act of kindness to change someone’s life.”

Simpson lost his full-time job during the pandemic, which forced him to move out of his apartment, WAVE 3 reported. Since then, he’s been living in a hotel with his girlfriend and her young son, according to the TV station.

He told WLKY it was “a real blessing” when Kark offered him a job. He’s now working on a tear down and remodel of an office building, WAVE 3 reported.

“I’ve finally found somebody who has given me a job,” Simpson told WAVE 3. ”I just didn’t understand it. I’ve seen it on TV for everyone else, but never would think it would happen to me.”

Green Star Home Remodeling has chronicled Simpson’s first few days on the job. Kark wrote earlier this week he picked up Simpson from his hotel and has gotten to know the handyman.

One person even stopped by and paid for a week’s stay in the hotel Simpson is living, according to Kark.

Generosity has came from hundreds of people throughout the country. A GoFundMe page set up by the remodeling company to further support Simpson and his family has raised more than $19,000 as of Thursday morning.

“Rob is a humble man and has not once asked for a dime he has not earned, but he and his family are without essential needs, such as a vehicle and a permanent place to stay, so it is Green Star’s hope that you will join us in supporting our neighbor Rob and his family by providing the funds needed to get him back on his feet,” the GoFundMe states.

When learning of how much money had been raised as of Wednesday, Simpson was in disbelief, Kark wrote,

“I want to make sure I am worthy of it,” Simpson said, according to a post by the company. “I don’t want to let anybody down that has reached out. It’s a big responsibility for me.”

This story was originally published July 23, 2020 at 12:09 PM.