WOODINVILLE, Wash. - When thieves stole a trailer full of tools, they took more than what was inside. They stole a man's livehood. But his friends and neighbors are determined to help get him back on his feet and back to work.
These are tough times in the construction industry. Work has all but dried up for Karlos Schmiedeskamp.
"Ends weren't meeting, phone wasn't ringing, bills were still calling," he said.
But today this career carpenter is working on a covered walkway at a Bothell senior housing complex. He's working, but with a lot less these days.
Last Thursday, Karlos was working a job at this northeast Seattle apartment building. He had parked his trailer and secured it with a lock that's supposed to keep thieves from towing it away.
Apparently, it wasn't enough because now he's out a trailer and $12,000 dollars worth of tools.
"It's my livelihood. Those tools are what allowed me to have a house like this, to be able to support three kids," he said.
Karlos didn't have insurance on the trailer. He says he couldn't afford it. But his friends and neighbors want to help.
"Neighbors have been coming together and dropping off stuff," he said.
They're planning a garage sale to help Karlos replace some of what he's lost. To Karlos, that means more than anything.
"It's very heartfelt knowing people are willing to donate stuff to help you out," he said.
The garage sale will be held February 27 at Schmiedeskamp's home on NE 147th Place in Woodinville.
