KENNEWICK Dan and Karen Christesen may have become homeless Thursday, but by Friday the couple who were ordered by a city official to stop sleeping in their rental storage unit were assured that help was on the way.
Three dozen people contacted the Tri-City Herald on Friday after reading about the couple's plight. Most callers wanted to offer cash, and several said they were willing to make room for them in their homes, RVs or a hotel stay.
For people who want to help the couple financially, an account has been set up through Yakima Federal Savings and Loan. Donations can be made through any branch office to the Christesens' account number 02-00308548.
"I haven't really grasped all of this," Dan told the Herald on Friday.
With so many offers of help, he said it appears he and Karen are off to a good start.
A couple from Pasco, Chip and Vicky Watson, took the homeless couple in Thursday night to provide beds and showers.
"I got my shower so I'm clean now," Dan said.
The Christesens plan to look into one offer of housing in Finley with the possibility of employment today, Dan said.
Mitch Brownsworth, owner of Classic Mini Storage on Clearwater Avenue where the Christesens had been huddling at night in a 10-by-12-foot uninsulated metal storage unit, said he was pleased at the public outpouring of help.
"We've had dozens and dozens of calls and e-mails. I think what we wanted to do we accomplished," he said.
Brownsworth knew the couple were breaking city and state laws by living in one of his units, but couldn't bring himself to kick them out in freezing weather.
Among the many e-mails sent to the Herald in response to the article about the Christesens was one from Laurie Miller.
"The people in the Tri-Cities are loving and generous. What can be done to help Dan and Karen Christesen this winter. It breaks my heart to see them suffer.
"Thank you ... for giving the Tri-Cities an opportunity to step up this holiday season," Miller wrote.
People who want to assist the couple can contact the Christesens at 509-551-6784.
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