Businessman donates debt to homeless shelter

Rob Wellman, owner of Rob’s Scooters, an electric and motorized scooter repair/restoration business, has announced that he is gifting a local homeless shelter all his debt. 

“I’m the sole proprietor of my business,” Wellman said. “So I’m giving the shelter the opportunity to take all of the debt. Not just the business debt from buying old scooters. But also my personal debt. That boat I bought in ‘99? Still haven’t paid that off.”

Wellman said giving the debt to the homeless shelter was a no-brainer. Wellman said he had been blessed to be able to owe so much money, he just had to give the responsibility to somebody else. 

“Of course I had to give it to the homeless shelter,” Wellman said. “Who else would I give it to?”

“We’re just glad there’s still people in the world who are like Rob,” Betsy Reynolds said. “We haven’t seen such a large negative amount for decades.”

Reynolds said she was unsure the shelter should take responsibility over the debt, but Wellman convinced her that it was a good idea.

“He said it would really help the economy,” Reynolds said. 

“It’ll help the local economy,” Wellman said. 

Joyce Freida, the shelters finance director, said taking in all the debt would help.

“Rob said the interest would be tax-deductible,” Freida said. “Since we’re a nonprofit, that will really help during tax season.”