As reported by The Bay Net last week, Phillip Barnes is in dire straights after being robbed, shot and left for dead in November last year by two unknown armed assailants. Physically, the young man is broken and attempting to heal without any insurance or financial assistance other than by the kindness of strangers and concerned friends. Financially, the man is devastated.
Since the story ran exclusively on The Bay Net, some things have started to happen for Barnes. At the suggestion of one of the readers and a commenter on the story, PNC Bank is actively working with Barnes to facilitate the donation process.
Additionally, at the suggestion of another reader, there is an effort now to contact Barnes’ dealership that sold him his truck to see if they will step in to help him out with his truck payment and to forestall the pending repossession. Barnes’ has not been able to earn a living for the past five months since the assault and robbery.
The scheduled parking lot yard sale at the Hampton Inn in Waldorf on May 3 from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. appears to be filling up fast. There has now been a rain date schedule for May 10 if the weather should be uncooperative.
According to Michelle Voight, Barnes friend and fundraising event organizer there will be more fundraising events in the future.
“I know he has enormous medical bills from all the surgery and treatments that he has had to date and that Phillip needs more surgery,” Voight said. “I tried to start a charity for Phillip, but I couldn’t afford to pay the fees all on my own.” Voight opened the savings account for Barnes at her bank using her own money.
For that and other reasons, Voight was named Working Woman of the Year, by the Charles County Chamber of Commerce on Thursday last week.
According to her co-worker, Michael Beale, “If you ask me, Michelle is Friend of the Year, Woman of the Year, she’s the best.”
Voight simply shrugs it off, although, she admits to being surprised when she won the award. “I didn’t even prepare a speech. I never thought I’d win.”
Tell that to Barnes and the many other people whose lives she has touched.