Community Comes Together

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Story Published: Oct 4, 2009 at 5:16 PM PDT

By Holly Zuluaga

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BENTON CITY--A community comes together to support one of their own.

Joe Petty, a key player in the Benton City community, had a massive heart attack earlier this week.

Now he's in a coma.

He’s only 37 years old.

They call him “the heart” of Benton City.

People Action News talked to said Joe Petty has helped unify the community.

“He's always been my strong right hand and he's always been right here in whatever we've been involved in. It's just Joe I need to get this done or how do I get that done and I miss him. I miss him desperately,” Randy Rutledge, Joe’s friend, said.

Joe owns CJ Plastics and makes things like trophies and banners.

However, he’s not just a businessman.

He's a community leader and a friend.

Owners of the Bear’s Den say Joe made them a banner.

“I told him at the time, hey I don't have any money for advertising and he said I never asked you for money I just wanted to help you out,” Jeramey, owner of the Bear’s Den, said.

That's what makes Joe special.

Community members say he always did things for others, without asking for anything in return.
Now it's their turn to give.

Business after business after business is doing some sort of fundraiser for Joe and his family.

Ki-Be Market donated 10% of purchases made.

The Ki-Be Youth Football's snack shack donated all their profits. And the Bear’s Den, is donating a buck for each pizza.

“It has really united the business community,” Randy Rutledge said.

All the money donated is to help Joe, his family, and their business.

“We as a community will keep that business going and we want to get a sizeable amount of money for Christy and the kids and Joe so they can get through this period of time,” Randy Rutledge said.

Those we talked to said it's the least they can do for a man so dedicated to his community.

A bank account has been set up at the Benton City branch of US Bank, 514 9th Street, to receive donations for the Petty family.

An account has also been set up at http://www.giveforward.org/PettyFamily/ for those who care to contribute via the internet.

For more information, phone 947-7332.

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