Gas Station Collects Donations To Support Craig Co. Deputy Battling COVID-19

A Craig County Sheriff's Deputy is fighting COVID-19, with help from his community and the Rogers County Sheriff’s Office. It started with a fundraiser at the En-Out gas station and convenience store, which raised $5,600 on the first day.

Store owner Gary Enyart wanted to help with his bill.

“They say he’s doing a lot better," said Enyart

The Deputy involved in 31-year-old Kyle Chenoweth, who has spent two weeks hospitalized in Oklahoma City.

A Rogers County Deputy, Major Coy Jenkins, grew up here in Vinita and mobilized his department to help.

"We want to send a message to everybody that when you know someone (with COVID) you need to put your arms around those people, engage yourself, and help them." That's how Rogers County deputies ended up surrounding a Craig County gas station. They called in the Vinita Fire department, and Air-Evac, to attract attention while deputies pumped gas, washed windows, and took donations.

"It's a big family and we're a small town so we want to help any way we can," said Judy Echenrode.

“This is a devastating thing for us to have a deputy like that go down,” said Craig County Sheriff Heath Winfrey. “and these fellas have been a great help to us."

The store plans to continue taking donations for a few weeks.