He had spent three days camping in his tent before the officers found him. When he was not at his camp, Barley was riding around town on his bike searching for a job and filling out applications.

“After meeting Fred, I could tell he was a good kid,” Carreker stated. “He was a young kid who had been dealt a bad hand and was trying to make the best out of it. All he wanted was a job.”

Inspired by Barley’s determination, officers Carreker and Geblein gave him the money they had in their wallets and took him to the Sun Inn motel where they each paid for a night’s stay.

“Fred told us this would be his second semester at Gordon as a Biology major and we could tell he was serious about his education,” Geblein indicated. “We helped him because we felt it was the right thing to do.”
Soon after Carreker posted the story on Facebook about Barley and his situation, members of Barnesville’s community banded together eager to help and have since bought him gift cards, food and clothing. He even received a new men’s mountain bike and has a couple community members working together to get him a car.

“I was not expecting any of this support and am in awe of how this community has come together to help me,” Barley stated. “I was just trying to go to school, find a job and make it on my own. Now it seems as though I am part of a new community and have a new family.”

Barley has gotten an influx of support from the community and even has a new job at DB’s Pizzeria where Debbie Adamson recognized his genuine heart and hired him before she even knew his name.
Casey Blaney and Amber Shoemake are among those who have been working hard to help get Barley settled. Blaney has put together a Facebook group called ‘Success For Fred’ where anyone who is interested in helping can find out what donations are needed for Fred’s success, and Shomake has put together an Amazon.com wish list in his name.

“It’s just beautiful how our community has come together to help someone in need,” Carreker concluded. “Barnesville is the epitome of a small town with a big heart.”