FAITH — Johnny Love and his wife, Beth, are people folks in Faith think of as the salt of the earth, caretakers who help anyone and everyone in need.

So when the auto repair shop that Johnny runs after inheriting it from his father burned last week, the community didn’t take long to rally behind the couple to help with recovery.

The shop and the couple’s home on Cemetery Road were damaged by a fire that happened Christmas Eve when sparks from a fire pit in the yard got away from them.

The damage to the house caused water and power to be shut off, and the utilities can’t be restored until repairs are made, but the shop is where the major damage occurred. According to Johnny, the shop was “gutted and all equipment burnt,” and insurance won’t pay.

The shop has been a central place in the community for decades and Johnny and his family a fixture, so the people of Faith and surrounding communities decided they needed to lend a helping hand.

Rowan County Sheriff Travis Allen said for years, Johnny was a deputy in the department and was paid to service all the department’s fleet of vehicles in his shop.

“The best thing about going to his shop was it was like the local barber shop,” said Allen. “You had to be prepared for anything, because you never knew what he would say. He teased, laughed, joked, but you couldn’t find a better person. He would do anything for anyone.”

Allen said he vividly remembers one day being in the shop when an elderly woman came in needing a part for her car. Johnny figured out what she needed, but she told him she didn’t have any money.

“Johnny looked at her and just said ‘don’t worry about it. That’s what neighbors do. Maybe one day you’ll help me,'” Allen said. “And he did that over and over again. I worked the west side, so I didn’t get to go east to his shop very often, but when I did, it was always a treat. Always a pleasure.”

And Johnny’s dad was the same way, said Allen.

Dale Peeler, mayor pro tem of Faith, concurred.

“There was nothing either of them would not do to help you if you needed it,” Peeler said.

He and Mayor Randall Barger and several others in the community started talking about how they could help the family the same day the fire happened. They decided they would host a barbecue chicken dinner fundraiser at the fairgrounds, with a drive thru pickup, and all the proceeds will go to the Loves.

“Junior Goodman will head up the cooking of the barbecue chicken,” Peeler said, “and the rest of us will help with cooking, serving, planning, preparing.”

He noted that Faith is a small community where “everybody knows everybody. Johnny and Beth have been involved in Jaycees for ages, and so is Goodman.”

Peeler added that there are connections “everywhere.”

In addition to being a deputy and working for the sheriff’s office, Johnny also served as a Faith firefighter and EMS. Everywhere one turns, there is a connection back to Johnny, said Peeler, which is “how it is in a small town.”

Peeler and Barger have been joined by Duane Richardson, Butch Lewis and Chris Gardner in the planning of the fundraiser, but “all we did was provide a little guidance. Since the word has gone out, I can’t tell you the number of people who have offered to help.”

He said they created sponsorship levels to help cover the cost of the supplies for the event so that every penny can go to the family. Levels start at $500 which comes with 10 tickets, $250 which includes five tickets, $100 with two tickets or anyone can purchase an individual plate for $15. Tickets will be available starting Friday, Jan. 3, at the Faith town hall, at A&L Mini Mart, at the Rockwell Cafe or buy contacting Barger or Richardson.

The Faith Fire Department immediately got on board to help support the event, said Peeler, “but I’m telling you, this is just what we do, what we are supposed to do.”

Meals can be picked up between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and will include chicken, baked beans, slaw and a dessert.

Peeler said Johnny is the kind of man who would not ask for anything, “so I didn’t ask him if we could do this, I just told him we were doing it.” He said the gratitude was palpable.

And the chicken dinner is not the only help generated for the couple. Pamela Barber, a close friend of the couple has created a GoFundMe that has raised nearly $4,500 to date.

“Johnny and Beth have given so much of their time and money to the community through the years with their service to the Jaycees, Rowan County Fair Board and the Boy Scouts among others. They wouldn’t ask for anything from anyone. Friends and family are doing this to help then cover the losses not covered by insurance. Any help at all would be greatly appreciated and will help ease the pain they are experiencing in this situation.”

Anyone interested in donating to the GoFundMe can do so here.