A Tucker church is mobilizing community support for 35 employees at a beloved hardware store who are without jobs since a fire destroyed their business on Dec. 28. Flames swept through the Handy Ace Hardware on Cowan Road just an hour after workers had closed for the night. No one was injured. The fire’s cause remains unknown.

Lawrenceville Road United Methodist Church, which is near the store, has established an account to receive donations for the employees.

“Many folks in our congregation are craftsmen, hobbyists or do-it-yourself'ers and depended on Handy Ace for just the right part, tool or other items at just the right time -- almost on demand,” said Jack Sartain, president of the church's United Methodist Men.

“Not only that,” said Jim Nall, another church member and regular Ace customer, “the fact that the employees are well-versed in the stock and are helpful in finding the items we all look for saves times and costly mistakes. Many have families and expenses and the loss of their jobs is devastating.”

Hardware store owner Harold Smith says the business was fully insured and he plans to rebuild.

Pastor Kathy McFarland said the congregation’s outreach is a sign of their affection for the displaced workers.

“Anyone who has visited the Handy Ace Hardware knows about the many valued employees who are much like good neighbors in their friendly greeting of the customers and their helpfulness in finding items,” McFarland said.

Anyone wanting to help the employees should mail their check payable to “LRUMC” and marked ACE on the memo line, to 3142 Lawrenceville Highway, Tucker, GA 30084. The church says the donation is tax-deductible and all of the contributions will be distributed equally to the employees.

For more information, call the church at 770-939-3717, or Jack Sartain at 770-856-1377. Address email inquiries to jbs59512@aol.com or LRUMC@bellsouth.net.

Other businesses are joining the outpouring of support. Local restaurants are offering free lunches to the displaced workers and a restaurant and a fitness center are planning fundraisers of their own.