Account created to benefit young man and his family

“It is hard to open the mail,” Theresa Upton says. “We get notes, cards and checks from people who do not even know Mark. Their generosity is overwhelming.”

Mark Schmidt, who Upton describes as a “total cheese head” because he is a huge Green Bay Packers fan, is employed as an estimator at 3h Mechanical. He was diagnosed with colon cancer in June.

Upton and Kyle Helmhout, owner of 3h Mechanical, were instrumental in establishing the Mark Schmidt Family Benefit Fund.

“It is hard to understand why a 28-year-old man with four children has to deal with this,” says Upton, who is the office manager at 3h Mechanical. “He is a giving person, a wonderful father and husband – more than you can imagine.”

The benefit fund was established to help the Schmidt family with mounting medical and living expenses. Family and friends have helped with rent and car payments.

In an effort to help, Schmidt’s employer has continued to pay health insurance premiums for him and his family.

Schmidt, whose four children range in age from 2 to 11, has been unable to work. He had five surgeries this past summer and has gone from 215 pounds to 145 pounds. There was no previous family history of cancer and the diagnosis came as a complete shock.

“Right now he is so weak he cannot pick up his kids because of the weight loss, chemo and radiation,” Upton says. “His energy level is very low, but his spirit is very high.”

According to Upton, Schmidt has finished radiation and is currently undergoing chemotherapy. Upton has been contacted by various people wanting to help.

Donations received so far include $1,000 from Tim Shannon of Shannon Plumbing, $500 from the Rathdrum Lions Club and $100 from Larry Wall of Kop Construction.

The crew from 3h Mechanical has been donating its travel reimbursement checks to the fund, and there have been various other monetary donations.

“We thank everyone – more than words can express – for all your thoughts and prayers,” Upton says. “I want people to know that all phone messages are forwarded to Mark, so he does know who has been calling him.”

Donations can be sent to 3h Mechanical, 2705 Howard St., Coeur d’Alene, ID83815, or made directly to the Mark Schmidt Family Benefit Fund at Panhandle State Bank.