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Help Kennedy restart a tailoring shop in Los Angeles after a fire in the building

A tailoring shop in Los Angeles needs help replacing three industrial sewing machines after a fire in the building.

🇺🇸 Los Angeles, California, United StatesPosted Oct 1, 20262,037 views
Kennedy Thomas
Email verified
Member since Sep 24, 2026 · Los Angeles
For six years I have run a tailoring shop in Los Angeles. In September, a fire in the building took three industrial sewing machines. I have no insurance, and the bank won't lend to me. Before that, my customers came every Tuesday, and I employed 2 people from the neighborhood. I have been out of business for 5 weeks. This business pays my children's school fees and rent. I have already started working from home in small ways, but I can't meet orders without proper equipment. Every contribution brings me closer to reopening, and I promise to post photos as I buy each item. Once I'm back on my feet I plan to hire back the people I had to let go. Where the $4,450 goes: • Replacing three industrial sewing machines: $2,950 • Initial stock: fabric and thread: $420 • Shop repairs and licensing: $340 • Working capital for the first month: $740 Please ask me anything in the questions section. I'll answer honestly and quickly.

Updates from Kennedy

  1. Update from Los Angeles: we've booked the dates and paid the deposit. We're at 10% of the goal. Thank you for believing in us.

  2. Good news. Because of your gifts ($643 in total) I made the first payment toward replacing three industrial sewing machines. Still a way to go but it feels less lonely.

  • Ika Rani Purnomo 🇮🇩 · $5 · 2h ago

    “Wish I could do more. Shared with friends too. - Jakarta”

  • Hoa Huyền Le 🇻🇳 · $5 · 2h ago

    “Wishing you the best. Saw your post and had to give. - Hanoi”

  • Lisa Ursula Horn 🇩🇪 · $20 · 3h ago
  • Swapna L. Sawant 🇮🇳 · $5 · 3h ago

    “Get well soon. Thought of Kennedy all day after reading this. - Nashik”

  • Anonymous 🇮🇳 · $25 · 3h ago
  • Enrique J. Bravo 🇺🇸 · $20 · 3h ago

    “Hope it all works out. - Fresno”

  • Fiona R. Fourie 🇿🇦 · $10 · 3h ago
  • Favour Aisha Musa 🇳🇬 · $100 · 4h ago
  • Ludwig Theo Beck 🇩🇪 · $10 · 4h ago

    “Hope the November deadline works out. - Munich”

  • Zhe Zeng 🇺🇸 · $50 · 5h ago

    “Hope things get better. Hope the November deadline works out. - Springfield”

  • Elena P. Rhodes 🇺🇸 · $20 · 5h ago

    “Hang in there. My sister told me about this one. - Oakland”

  • Hiroshi Hiroto Imai 🇯🇵 · $10 · 5h ago
  • Pari J. Sethi 🇮🇳 · $5 · 5h ago
  • Thanaporn Supaporn Laohakul 🇹🇭 · $50 · 5h ago

    “Wish I could do more. Thought of Kennedy all day after reading this. - Chiang Mai”

  • Neema Tabitha Mollel 🇰🇪 · $75 · 5h ago
  • Jayson Aguilar 🇵🇭 · $5 · 6h ago
  • Amira Taghreed Amin 🇪🇬 · $10 · 6h ago
  • Paloma L. Martínez 🇪🇸 · $14 · 6h ago

    “Every little bit. My cousin told me about this one. - Seville”

  • Anonymous 🇹🇷 · $30 · 6h ago
  • Anonymous 🇮🇹 · $20 · 6h ago

    “Thinking of you. Saw your post and had to give. - Milan”

Questions & comments

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  • Myra C. PatelQuestion8h ago

    How is Kennedy doing now?

    • Best of luck, Kennedy. This could happen to any of us. My husband and I read this together. Take care.

      • Best of luck. I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier. Don't give up. Blessings!

        • You're not alone, Kennedy. I'd happily buy from you once you're back up. My late mom used to say help given quietly counts double. Thinking of Los Angeles.

          • Amber B. WillisQuestion8h ago

            Is there anything that isn't money that would help Kennedy?

            • Kennedy ThomasOwnerAnswer2h ago

              Thank you. If you're in Los Angeles I'll say if something practical comes up. For now sharing this is great. Fair thing to want to know.

          • You're not alone. I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier. Please keep us posted.

            • Yogesh E. BhosaleAddress verified7h ago

              You're not alone, Kennedy. This could happen to any of us. My husband and I read this together. Blessings

              • hope things get better soon. Your post was clear and honest. Love from Ciudad de México.

                • Is there a list of costs somewhere? Just curious how it adds up for Kennedy.

                  • Kennedy ThomasOwnerAnswer2h ago

                    Everything on the list is an amount I've been quoted or invoiced. replacing three industrial sewing machines comes first ($2,950) and I'll update the page as each thing gets paid. I'll keep the page updated.

                • Fatima Wunmi JimohID verified5h ago

                  Wishing you peace. Shared this with my family. The breakdown of costs made it easy to trust!

                  • hope this works out for you. The breakdown of costs made it easy to trust

                    • You're not alone, Kennedy. Shared it with a few friends. All the best

                      • So sorry you're going through this, Kennedy. Everyone deserves a bit of help sometimes. We had a similar scare last year, I know what it feels like.

                        • Sending strength. I'd happily buy from you once you're back up. Put this on a community board in Rome this morning. Love from Rome.

                          • good luck. It takes guts to ask. Well done. Thinking of Los Angeles.

                            • Huda Rania HamidPhoto verified3h ago

                              thanks for sharing this, Kennedy. Shared it with a few friends. My husband and I read this together.

                              • Sending strength. Hope you make a strong comeback. After 13 years in farming I know how hard it is to ask for anything. Greetings from Nice.

                                • Thinking of you, Kennedy. Shared this with my family. God bless.

                                  $1,484 raised of $4,450

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