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Written by: Shalean Smith

Published: 17 January 2010

Joe Fernandez shows some of the money he's gathered to help purchase a town clock for Upper Lake. Photo by Shalean Smith.

UPPER LAKE – The community has shown support of the purchase of the Upper Lake town clock in different ways. Some have donated money, others their time or emotional support.

And then there’s Joe Fernandez, who’s doing it all.

On Wednesday, Jan. 13, Fernandez took it upon himself to help the town clock fundraising effort.

When my husband and I drove past Joe we could hear him talking with motorists in English and Spanish asking for whatever they could afford.

“Hey, even a dollar will help,” he said.

I first came to know Joe Fernandez as “Egg Man Joe,” when buying farm fresh eggs sold from his truck on Main Street.

In December, Fernandez donated $100 of his own money and told me, “Darlin’, that’s just the beginning. We’re gonna get our clock.”

Sure enough, he spent one Wednesday standing in the middle of Main Street soliciting funds for the town clock and by day's end Joe had collected $1,100.

Last month, Lynne and Bernie Butcher committed to hosting a fundraiser on Wednesday, Jan. 20, at the Blue Wing Saloon & Café.

Because of Fernandez’s undertaking the fundraiser will surely mark the completion of the town’s fundraising endeavor and become a day of celebration.

Please stop by and show your support, enjoy a great meal and meet some of the women who make up the Upper Lake Women’s Protective Club.

I say “only in Upper Lake,” but in reality, I know the world and specifically our county is full of good-hearted people with good intentions.

When a community pools its resources and energy there’s nothing we can’t accomplish.