Businesses to install generator for Jared

The Desert Sun • July 23, 2009

Todd Larsen's cross-country bicycle trip seems to be doing its job, raising awareness of his nephew's incurable disease and bringing out the best in the community.

"It's really starting to generate a lot of momentum," Larsen said Tuesday morning, from the Twin Bridges Public Library in Twin Bridges, Mont. "It's really energizing."

Larsen is referring to all the good news relayed to him by his brother, Tim Larsen, about all the donations and well-wishes expressed by Coachella Valley residents.

The most recent good news: two local companies are donating their time and materials to install a generator for 21-year-old Jared Larsen, who has muscular dystrophy.

The generator will ensure there will be backup power for Jared's ventilator if any outages occur during summer heat waves or wind storms in the desert.

"It's nice," Jared said Tuesday. "I appreciate it."

"It makes him feel safer," Tim Larsen said.

Plans for the installation began when Leslie Locken, property manager at Old Town La Quinta, contacted James Tourje of Cove Electric last week.

The two had read "Journey for Jared" in the June 14 edition of The Desert Sun and said they were instantly touched by the Larsen family's story.

"I have nieces and nephews that I would walk to the ends of the earth for, so I could relate to Todd feeling compelled to help his nephew," Locken said of Larsen's more than 4,000-mile journey.

So when Locken heard the family needed help with the installation of Jared's generator, she said, "I literally could not sleep thinking that with all the great contractors in the valley, this could be made possible."

Tourje then called his friend Jeff May, co-owner of Southwest Plumbing, on Monday about installing the gas line. The two have since been working with Tim Larsen to get the ball rolling.

Getting the work done has been a priority in light of the two major power outages in the valley this past week caused by the extreme temperatures, May said.

"I've been blessed in my life and I belive that people are blessed in order to be a blessing to others," May said, regarding his motive to work on the project. "And I found in my life that there are greater joys in giving than there is in receiving."

Currently in the process to obtain the necessary permits, Tim Larsen said he expects the installation of the generator and the gas line to happen this week.

"It's very compassionate of them to want to help us out because it's a big concern of Jared," said Kathy Larsen, Jared's mother. "Thank you everybody."

In addition to spearheading efforts to get the generator installed, Locken secured a $500 donation on behalf of Old Town La Quinta, which will go toward Jared's medical costs.