A local man can no longer use his legs due to the debilitating effects of multiple sclerosis. But the disease hasn’t stopped him from using his hands to help those around him.

    In fact, Mike, whose last name was not released, has put in more than 1,400 hours of community service at the Idaho Foodbank and Portneuf Medical Center in the past year, despite the personal challenges he’s facing. And now H.S. Jeshua Ministries is asking the community to return the favor.

    The nonprofit organization is planning a community yard sale on June 22 as part of an ongoing effort to raise $36,000 to purchase a wheelchair-accessible van for Mike that should make it a lot easier for him to get around town and continue offering the hours of community service he puts in.

    Merriann Forrest, founder of H.S. Jeshua Ministries, said the yard sale will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Christ’s Love Vineyard Church, located at 415 S. Second Ave. in Pocatello. And she’s asking the community to not only come shop at the event, but also donate gently used items to the cause.

    “We’re willing to take anything,” Forrest said, adding that people can drop off their donations at the church from 6 to 8 p.m. on June 21, or call her at 220-3113 to make other arrangements. “It’s all tax-deductible.”

    Forrest said the nonprofit organization has already raised $1,077 to help Mike, and will receive a matching $1,200 donation from an anonymous business owner as soon as they raise $123 more. But they still need thousands more to purchase the van for Mike.

    “It’s a step in faith,” said Forrest, who hopes to have enough money to buy the van before the snow begins to fall. “I believe it’s going to happen.”

    Forrest said she got to know Mike through her work at the Idaho Foodbank, and she’s been amazed by the man whose determination to serve the community comes at no small cost to himself.

    “He gives back so selflessly (for what he’s been) given, and he never complains,” she said, adding that he puts in roughly 25 hours of community service a week. “If you talk to him, you would think he had no problem at all.”

    But Forrest has also seen firsthand the struggles that Mike faces. Currently, he has to store his wheelchair in the back of his vehicle, and then maneuver himself back to the driver’s seat from the outside.  Because he can’t use his legs, Mike essentially has to drag himself in either direction, using the ski rack on top of his vehicle for support.

    Forrest said Mike has private insurance and can’t afford to purchase a wheelchair-accessible van for himself right now, and his own vehicle is having more and more problems. It’s also seen a lot of wear and tear because Mike has to pull on the seats and the steering console to get into the vehicle and position himself once inside, she said.

    Forrest said Mike’s current vehicle is not compatible with his needs and it isn’t safe. That’s why the H.S. Jeshua team has launched the fundraising campaign to help the man who does so much to help the community.

    “He struggles so much to give,” she said. “We want to make his life better.”

    For more information about H.S. Jeshua’s fundraiser, and to watch a video about Mike, visit hsjeshuaministries.org.