For some, it’s just as easy to provide a helping hand to a stranger as it is to family and friends. That is true for Johnny Nave and his wife Carley.
For more than 10 years, the couple has determined to give back to others in the Leesburg and Lake County communities simply because they feel it is the right thing to do.
“Everyone has something going on in their lives. It’s about treating people fairly and with kindness,” Johnny said.
His wife agreed, saying even if she only has a hug to give, she will do that to improve someone’s day.
Now the community is rallying behind the couple to support Johnny, who earlier this year was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The Warehouse Social Club and Eatery is hosting a fundraiser to help raise money for Johnny’s medical bills from 1 to 4 p.m. Jan. 5 at the club, 312 S. 2nd St., Leesburg.
“We don’t help with the fundraisers for the notoriety. We put good out there because we want to see the good in the world,” Carley said. “We were beside ourselves when we found ourselves on the other side of that, but the staff insisted (on hosting the fundraiser). This isn’t something we are used to. It’s overwhelming.”
John Sokol, owner of the Great Chicago Fire – Brewery & Tap Room, dreamed of creating The Warehouse as a social club for military veterans, firefighters and police officers with the help of Johnny, a friend he met in a motorcycle riding group.
While walking into an old furniture warehouse being used to store sheet metal in November 2018, Sokol said Johnny was nothing but supportive of the idea of transforming the old warehouse into a safe space for first responders.
“(The building) was filled from top to bottom with junk,” Sokol said. “He still said, ‘no, let’s do it.’ That’s the kind of guy Johnny is. No matter what anyone asks of him, if he has it, he will give it.”
Sokol said that is part of his motivation for hosting the fundraiser for Johnny.
For five months in 2018, Johnny would work an eight-hour shift at his day job before coming to The Warehouse to clean, paint and more to get the business ready to open before the Leesburg Bikefest scheduled for that year.
The effort to open The Warehouse led to the creation of the Military Fire Police Support Association. After months of work led by Sokol and Johnny, the social club opened in July 2019.
Being a former police officer of five years, Johnny said it’s important to him to be able to provide a space were first responders can relax and be themselves.
“I’m most proud of the fact that nobody is a stranger. People who come in as strangers don’t leave as strangers,” he said.
Johnny recalled an officer who experienced an act of kindness while at The Warehouse later sent an official flag of the New York Police Department. The flag, which is now hanging on the wall inside The Warehouse, represents “a token of gratitude and respect” for Johnny.
Before sharing the news of his diagnosis, Johnny said people would often pull him aside and ask if he was doing OK, noticing a decline in his health. He said that speaks to the strong support system he has developed over the years.
Sokol said with everything Johnny has done for the Leesburg community, it is time for the community to give back to him. The fundraiser will feature a spaghetti dinner served with meatballs and garlic bread, live music and raffles. Guests are asked to provide a $10 donation per person at the door.
“We love Leesburg. It really has become home for us.” Carley said. “Right now, we need help. We accept that, but we won’t stop giving back. We will continue to give where we can, even if it’s simply what we don’t need anymore.”
For more information about the event, visit mfpsa.us.
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
