By Shane L. Harms, Intern.

On any given day in Ballard, Tim Allen can be seen cleaning the sidewalks along N,W. Market Street in the company of his two Jack Russell Terriers, Rico and Zeta. Carrying a white five-gallon bucket for donations as he works a broom vigorously down the street from 15th Avenue all the way to 24th Avenue, it's apparent Tim is financial straights.

Last December Tim was laid off from painting and doing odd jobs for a local apartment owner. Since then Tim has been living in his Ford truck. With only a few dollars left to his name, Tim bought a bucket and a broom and started sweeping the streets.

“When I brought that bucket down there I thought, 'Hey, if I start cleaning the streets somebody might put some money in the bucket. The streets are always dirty’…I had no idea what to expect. It was a Sunday morning and I remember I had gone two blocks and somebody put a dollar in the bucket,” he said.

Tim said he sweeps the sidewalks because he needs to feel busy and deserving of any donations passerby's drop into the bucket.

“It’s not easy being out here in front of people, sweeping," he said. "I’m doing what I have to survive I guess. A hundred people can go by and look at you like a bum, but it don’t take but one person after that to make you feel good.”

Tim is originally from Texas and spent some time in Alaska painting, fishing, and crabbing.

“Thirty years ago I was a fisherman. Fished up in Alaska. That’s how I got to know Ballard. I worked for some captains that were from Ballard, and I remember they talked about if you had a rough time, your neighbors helped your neighbors and your friends helped your friends," he said. "I went to fisherman’s terminal and I knew I could get a shower there…it was a warm place.”

Since his fishing days he has fallen on harder times. Tim has been striving to find work. He’s said that he has lined up some painting jobs but still doesn't have a place to live.

“I really just need the housing, if I had a place to live then I can do the rest,” he said.

Recent internet bloggers have linked Tim to Ballard’s long time groundskeeper Rudy McCoy's choice to leave the Ballard Clean Streets Program.

Tim said, “I just want people to know I’m not trying to take anything from Rudy…That’s Rudy’s job. Rudy’s been doing that for years. I just want the businesses to realize the work he does down there and that its not easy getting up early in the morning going down there to the streets and cigarette butt, sweeping up sticks – Rudy does all that. That’s what he does to pay his bills.”

Tim, like Rudy, said that he has also had threats from other homeless people about territory rights as well as from others who accuse him of trying to take Rudy’s job.

“ I’m embarrassed already having people watch me sweep the streets out there with my dogs…I don’t want people feeling sorry for me. I don’t want to do anything to any body and I don’t want to misrepresent Ballard," he said. "Ballard is a good place. I don’t want to hurt anybody, I’m just a guy trying to find work to get a few bucks ahead so when something bad happens I can fix my truck or put my dogs in a place awhile incase I’m in the hospital.”

After Tim's story was blogged about, the Ballard community came together to help Tim.

“Kate [of MyBallard. has been so kind to me..she gave me a six month pass to the Olympic club and has been helping me with finding a place to live,” Tim said.

Along with her husband Cory, the couple have started an experimental donation program called the Care Movement. The program connects people in need featured in news stories with other people that want to help. The program has raised $2,500 for Tim, something that he has called a miracle that has saved his life.

Other community members have welcomed Tim and his dogs into their homes during inclement weather, supplying fresh blankets, a hot meal, and warm place to sleep for the night.

And along with a few bills in the bucket, locals have donated gift cards, dog food and offered sandwiches, chili, eggnog-cupcakes, and coffee to Tim.

Furthermore, the Millionaires Club has also taken steps to align Tim with work. Tim said, that since they heard about his situation and that he does not use drugs or alcohol it will be easier finding a job.

While Tim is still looking for a place to live, he remains hopeful.

“There are some good people in Ballard…fortunately there are some caring people,” he said.

If interested in Tim’s services, such as painting, landscaping, and general labor you can call 206-310-5717. To make donations to the Care Movement go to caremovement.org