When Jacque Lee’s story hit the pages of The Bulletin, the phones started ringing.

Reporter Morgan Owen profiled Lee’s struggle with homelessness Thursday as she transitioned from living in her pickup truck, then one of the tiny homes at Central Oregon Villages, to her own, new two-bedroom apartment.

Like many in Bend, she is a dog lover, and fiercely defensive of her dog, Lacey Baby. Lee, 73, found out that she needed an extra $300 to cover a damage deposit that East Lake Villages requires for her dog.

That comment came near the end of Owen’s story. Lee didn’t have the money, after paying rent and other expenses. But she noted, “I can’t get rid of her. I’ll move first.”

Think of that for a moment. Someone who has struggled with homelessness, high rents, damage deposits and insurance would rather give up her new, warm home to keep her pet.

That’s when the phones started ringing. Owen said she received several calls the morning the story appeared in The Bulletin in print and online. It turns out that someone anonymously donated $300, right off the bat. But the calls kept coming. We received one Friday from a woman who had just lost her dog. She said she knew how Lee felt and wanted to help.

Granted there are a lot of people in need, as The Bulletin has pointed out over the last few years with its homeless coverage and even $300 doesn’t get one very far. But that is the power of our local journalism. It can spur people to action, because they want to help in some way. The homeless issue may seem too big of a problem to get a handle on, or to effect some change. So, by this small gesture, people know they have solved a small piece of the puzzle. (By the way, Lee was also struggling with paying insurance on her pickup — $1,200 every six months — after an errant driver struck it last year. She needs her truck for work. People donated money to help out there, too).

When we asked Lee how she was doing on Friday, she said, “Better than I deserve.”

There are lots of ways one can help this holiday season. The Bulletin is running a series of compelling profiles this past week and next on hunger in Central Oregon. Those stories list ways one can help, too.

Please support our local journalism. If you are not already a subscriber to our digital format, click on www.bendbulletin.com/subscribe-now for details.

We hope you and your family have a safe, relaxing holiday.

Thanks for reading,

Gerry O’Brien, Editor