Latest news with #selflessness
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Son Gave Parents Part of His College Tuition to Build Dream Business. Now They Say He's 'Selfish'
A man helped get his parents' business off the ground, but now they call him "selfish" for wanting to be paid a livable wage His parents opened a cafe when he was in college, and he contributed his own time, money and labor to the business The man took to Reddit to voice his frustrations and get outside opinionsFor five years, a young man poured everything he had into his family's small-town cafe — time, labor, even his college savings. Now, at 26, he's turning to Reddit for perspective after reaching a breaking point. The cafe was a family dream. His parents purchased the building when he was 21, and he helped transform it, installing insulation, hanging drywall, and painting the walls. Back then, he was in college, juggling studies and unpaid shifts. 'I started working here when I was going to college. Anytime I had free time, I would be here working,' he writes in his post. 'None of the time I was getting paid.' When money was tight, he gave what he could. He handed over college savings, took out student loans, and even gave them his COVID stimulus checks, including the enhanced $600 weekly unemployment payments during the pandemic. 'Around the time I was in college my family was hard on cash. So any extra money I had from college was given to them. I took out student loans, they are now paying them,' he says. 'One of the requirements for a class was to have a paid internship.' After graduation, the cafe became his full-time job. But the compensation remained shockingly low. 'I work here 6 days a week for 47 hours a week,' he shares. 'I make about $40 in tips each week. And my parents pay me maybe $400 a month.' He lives at home, but his financial support is lacking. His car hasn't run in over two years. Though his parents cover the insurance, he can't afford repairs. He contributes to groceries, buys produce for the shop with his own money, and even maintains their rental properties using equipment he purchased himself. 'I mow and maintain all 4 properties that they own on a mower that I bought,' he adds. 'They did not help.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. His unpaid work extended beyond the cafe. He helped renovate his parents' home and built them an addition. Still, when he raises concerns about money, he says he's met with dismissal. 'They treat me like I am ungrateful,' he writes. 'They say that they pay me very well.' Eventually, he gave them an ultimatum: either he starts receiving a proper paycheck, or he walks. "It got to a breaking point where I told them that I either need to get a paycheck or I will look for a different job and be done," he shares. In response, his parents offered a compromise — letting him renovate one of their buildings to start his own business. But they still expect him to work at the cafe while launching his venture. That, he says, is not sustainable. 'Come June I will no longer be working at the cafe,' he wrote. 'My parents say I'm being selfish, but other people say what I'm doing is more than reasonable.' Read the original article on People
CTV News
21-05-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Longtime Kentucky firefighter died in powerful storm while shielding his wife from danger
LONDON, Ky. — Kentucky firefighter Leslie Leatherman answered the call for help, rushing into harm's way as he steadfastly did for decades, when a late-night tornado plowed through his community in the Appalachian foothills. It was his final act of selflessness, and the person he protected amid the chaos was his wife. Leatherman was among 19 people killed in Kentucky when the storm struck late Friday into early Saturday, as people in the path awoke to a terrifying scene. Most victims were from Laurel County in southeastern Kentucky, where Leatherman was a longtime member of a volunteer fire department. Leatherman, 57, died while shielding his wife, Michelle, from flying debris, said Terry Wattenbarger, deputy chief of the Laurel County Fire Department, where Leatherman served as a major. He was found on top of his wife, Wattenbarger said. Michelle Leatherman survived and was in critical condition Tuesday at the University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital in Lexington, a spokesperson said. Wattenbarger said he thinks it happened right after the tornado had roared through, when winds were still strong enough to fling debris into the air. They were found in a field about 100 yards (91 meters) from their destroyed home. 'She was screaming,' Wattenbarger said in an interview Tuesday. 'I'm sure he went ... to the first person he thought he could help. It just happened to be her.' The tornado that hit Pulaski and Laurel counties carved a path of more than 55 miles (88 kilometers), according to the National Weather Service in Jackson, Kentucky. At its peak, the tornado grew to about a mile (1.6-kilometers-) wide and had winds up to 170 mph (274 kph). Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear paid tribute to Leatherman for his decades of public service while asking people to pray for the families of all those who died in the storm. The Democratic governor said Leatherman 'died doing what first responders do every day – risking his own life for our safety.' As the storm approached, Leatherman communicated he was ready to assist, Wattenbarger said. When a fire alarm sounded in his neighborhood, Leatherman indicated that he was responding. Soon after that, another firefighter confirmed the tornado was on the ground there and causing massive damage. Emergency workers found the Leathermans early in the response but didn't recognize them in the pitch-black dark, officials said. Leatherman was dead, and they tended to Michelle Leatherman. Leslie Leatherman's location was recorded for later identification, and rescuers moved on to help other victims. A short time later, authorities started searching for Leatherman after he failed to answer radio calls. Emergency responders returned to find his body and make the heartbreaking identification. It was typical for Leatherman to rush into danger to protect others, said Wattenbarger, who struck up a lasting friendship with Leatherman when they were in high school together. 'His entire life, he's been a dedicated public servant,' the deputy chief said. 'He had a huge heart. He loved his family more than anything … and just truly enjoyed life and was just a really good person.' Leatherman, known fondly as Les, was a constant figure in emergency services for the region. He started as an emergency medical technician in Laurel County, then became an emergency dispatcher, first for Laurel County authorities and then for Kentucky State Police, Wattenbarger said. Most recently, he served as assistant director for the 911 center in neighboring Whitley County. 'He was a very sincere man, very hard working, a very dedicated man,' said Whitley County Judge-Executive Pat White Jr. 'Somebody that younger people getting into emergency services in this region looked up to and looked to for guidance. He was a great mentor to many of them. We're sure going to miss him.' Leatherman also served as a fire rescue instructor. Brandon Wagers, a member of the London Fire Department and a fellow instructor, said Leatherman's death will be felt throughout the region. 'He was a good person,' Wagers said. 'He always had something good to say.' One constant was Leatherman's nearly 39 years of service as a firefighter. Leatherman 'put his life's blood and life's work into being the best person and best responder he could be,' Wattenbarger said. His death sent shock waves through the close-knit ranks of their fire department. 'We are surviving,' Wattenbarger said. 'That's the only way we can describe it. People say 'Are you all OK?' No we're not. We're not OK. We're surviving, though, because that's what he would want. We want to honor his legacy as a department.' Bruce Schreiner, The Associated Press
The Independent
20-05-2025
- The Independent
Longtime Kentucky firefighter died in powerful storm while shielding his wife from danger
Kentucky firefighter Leslie Leatherman answered the call for help, rushing into harm's way as he steadfastly did for decades, when a late-night tornado plowed through his community in the Appalachian foothills. It was his final act of selflessness, and the person he protected amid the chaos was his wife. Leatherman was among 19 people killed in Kentucky when the storm struck late Friday into early Saturday, as people in the path awoke to a terrifying scene. Most victims were from Laurel County in southeastern Kentucky, where Leatherman was a longtime member of a volunteer fire department. Leatherman, 57, died while shielding his wife, Michelle, from flying debris, said Terry Wattenbarger, deputy chief of the Laurel County Fire Department, where Leatherman served as a major. He was found on top of his wife, Wattenbarger said. Michelle Leatherman survived and was in critical condition Tuesday at the University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital in Lexington, a spokesperson said. Authorities don't know if Leatherman realized it was his wife he was protecting amid the chaos and darkness. Wattenbarger said he thinks it happened right after the tornado had passed, when winds were still strong enough to fling debris into the air. 'She was screaming,' Wattenbarger said in an interview Tuesday. 'I'm sure he went home and then went to the first person he thought he could help. It just happened to be her.' As the storm approached, Leatherman communicated he was ready to assist, Wattenbarger said. When a fire alarm sounded in his neighborhood, Leatherman indicated that he was responding. Soon after that, another firefighter confirmed the tornado was on the ground there and causing massive damage. Emergency workers found the Leathermans early in the response but didn't recognize them in the pitch-black dark, officials said. Leatherman was dead, and they tended to Michelle Leatherman. Leslie Leatherman's location was recorded for later identification, and rescuers moved on to help other victims. A short time later, authorities started searching for Leatherman after he failed to answer radio calls. Emergency responders returned to find his body and make the heartbreaking identification. It was typical for Leatherman to rush into danger to protect others, said Wattenbarger, who struck up a lasting friendship with Leatherman when they were in high school together. 'His entire life, he's been a dedicated public servant," the deputy chief said. "He had a huge heart. He loved his family more than anything … and just truly enjoyed life and was just a really good person.' Leatherman, known fondly as Les, was a constant figure in emergency services for the region. He started as an emergency medical technician in Laurel County, then became an emergency dispatcher, first for Laurel County authorities and then for Kentucky State Police, Wattenbarger said. Most recently, he served as assistant director for the 911 center in neighboring Whitley County. 'He was a very sincere man, very hard working, a very dedicated man,' said Whitley County Judge-Executive Pat White Jr. 'Somebody that younger people getting into emergency services in this region looked up to and looked to for guidance. He was a great mentor to many of them. We're sure going to miss him.' Leatherman also served as a fire rescue instructor. Brandon Wagers, a member of the London Fire Department and a fellow instructor, said Leatherman's death will be felt throughout the region. 'He was a good person,' Wagers said. 'He always had something good to say.' One constant was Leatherman's nearly 39 years of service as a firefighter. Leatherman 'put his life's blood and life's work into being the best person and best responder he could be,' Wattenbarger said. His death sent shock waves through the close-knit ranks of their fire department. 'We are surviving," Wattenbarger said. "That's the only way we can describe it. People say 'Are you all OK?' No we're not. We're not OK. We're surviving, though, because that's what he would want. We want to honor his legacy as a department.'
Washington Post
20-05-2025
- Washington Post
Longtime Kentucky firefighter died in powerful storm while shielding his wife from danger
LONDON, Ky. — Kentucky firefighter Leslie Leatherman answered the call for help, rushing into harm's way as he steadfastly did for decades, when a late-night tornado plowed through his community in the Appalachian foothills. It was his final act of selflessness, and the person he protected amid the chaos was his wife.
Associated Press
20-05-2025
- Associated Press
Longtime Kentucky firefighter died in powerful storm while shielding his wife from danger
LONDON, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky firefighter Leslie Leatherman answered the call for help, rushing into harm's way as he steadfastly did for decades, when a late-night tornado plowed through his community in the Appalachian foothills. It was his final act of selflessness, and the person he protected amid the chaos was his wife. Leatherman was among 19 people killed in Kentucky when the storm struck late Friday into early Saturday, as people in the path awoke to a terrifying scene. Most victims were from Laurel County in southeastern Kentucky, where Leatherman was a longtime member of a volunteer fire department. Leatherman, 57, died while shielding his wife, Michelle, from flying debris, said Terry Wattenbarger, deputy chief of the Laurel County Fire Department, where Leatherman served as a major. He was found on top of his wife, Wattenbarger said. Michelle Leatherman survived and was in critical condition Tuesday at the University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital in Lexington, a spokesperson said. Authorities don't know if Leatherman realized it was his wife he was protecting amid the chaos and darkness. Wattenbarger said he thinks it happened right after the tornado had passed, when winds were still strong enough to fling debris into the air. 'She was screaming,' Wattenbarger said in an interview Tuesday. 'I'm sure he went home and then went to the first person he thought he could help. It just happened to be her.' As the storm approached, Leatherman communicated he was ready to assist, Wattenbarger said. When a fire alarm sounded in his neighborhood, Leatherman indicated that he was responding. Soon after that, another firefighter confirmed the tornado was on the ground there and causing massive damage. Emergency workers found the Leathermans early in the response but didn't recognize them in the pitch-black dark, officials said. Leatherman was dead, and they tended to Michelle Leatherman. Leslie Leatherman's location was recorded for later identification, and rescuers moved on to help other victims. A short time later, authorities started searching for Leatherman after he failed to answer radio calls. Emergency responders returned to find his body and make the heartbreaking identification. It was typical for Leatherman to rush into danger to protect others, said Wattenbarger, who struck up a lasting friendship with Leatherman when they were in high school together. 'His entire life, he's been a dedicated public servant,' the deputy chief said. 'He had a huge heart. He loved his family more than anything … and just truly enjoyed life and was just a really good person.' Leatherman, known fondly as Les, was a constant figure in emergency services for the region. He started as an emergency medical technician in Laurel County, then became an emergency dispatcher, first for Laurel County authorities and then for Kentucky State Police, Wattenbarger said. Most recently, he served as assistant director for the 911 center in neighboring Whitley County. 'He was a very sincere man, very hard working, a very dedicated man,' said Whitley County Judge-Executive Pat White Jr. 'Somebody that younger people getting into emergency services in this region looked up to and looked to for guidance. He was a great mentor to many of them. We're sure going to miss him.' Leatherman also served as a fire rescue instructor. Brandon Wagers, a member of the London Fire Department and a fellow instructor, said Leatherman's death will be felt throughout the region. 'He was a good person,' Wagers said. 'He always had something good to say.' One constant was Leatherman's nearly 39 years of service as a firefighter. Leatherman 'put his life's blood and life's work into being the best person and best responder he could be,' Wattenbarger said. His death sent shock waves through the close-knit ranks of their fire department. 'We are surviving,' Wattenbarger said. 'That's the only way we can describe it. People say 'Are you all OK?' No we're not. We're not OK. We're surviving, though, because that's what he would want. We want to honor his legacy as a department.'
