Several acts of kindness have helped repair damage at a Jefferson City business that occurred after rallies for racial justice in June - and some of the help came from the rallies' organizers.
On June 1, three businesses in the 600 block of East High Street - Click2Sell4U/Kay's Collectibles, Norm's Barber Shop and Downtown Realty - had windows knocked out, which police believe happened as some rallygoers returned to the Missouri State Capitol after the organized events ended.
"They smashed our two front windows, and we found out it wasn't going to be a cheap repair because they were the original windows when the building was built in 1912," Click2Sell4U owner Donna Deetz said. "Luckily, nothing was stolen from the store."
This past week, new windows were installed at Deetz's business. She said the money to pay for the work came from various people who said they wanted help after they heard what had happened.
"About three days after the rallies, a gentleman by the name of James Robnett, from Columbia, came into the shop and said he was with the protesters and was kind of in charge of making sure nothing dramatic happened," Deetz said. "He apologized and said he was going to try to get donations to help pay the deductibles or full damage on all of the shop windows for the three businesses affected."
Deetz said she and the other business owners told Robnett he didn't have to do that, but he insisted.
"About four weeks later, he brought in a check for $500 into my shop to help pay the deductible," Deetz said. "The other shops didn't give him any information, so he just brought the check to us. Then about two weeks ago, he came back in with Jefferson City Police Department Capt. Bob Clark, who brought in a check for $100 from the Police Relief Fund. Since I'd already received the $500, I took the relief fund money to Norm's Barbershop to help pay for the new signs in their windows. They told me they already had some of their customers give over $100 to help pay their window costs."
JCPD officials said they continue to investigate to determine who caused the damage to the businesses.
Deetz said it was nice to have so many in the community check in to make sure they were fine and that their business was OK.
"We've lived in Jefferson City for over 25 years," Deetz said. "It was a choice we made to move here, and we made the right choice because people really care - and what these folks did shows that they care."