Here we go again. Southern Oregon makes me DARN proud to live and work in this beautiful place.
Last week, a local grandmother posted a very compelling picture of her grandson Hunter on Facebook. Later that day, the picture of 6 year old Hunter had gone viral on Facebook and beyond.
Hunter had been late to school (by 1 minute) and during his lunch time, he was segregated from the rest of the kids with a partition on the table in front of him labeled with a big letter D for detention. Shamed in front of his peers at 6 years old for something that was out of his control.
The next morning, local radio talk show host Bill Meyer from AM 1440 saw the Facebook post and wanted to do something to help this first grader and his family.
One of the root causes for Hunter being late was the family's undependable car that mom had a hard time starting on cold Southern Oregon mornings. Bill called me (because my husband and I own a couple of automotive shops) and asked if we would be willing to help. Of course I said yes. First, it is just the right thing to do, second, we have had our own experience with a child being unduly shamed in front of her peers. That picture of Hunter brought me right back to that moment. My heart hurt for Hunter and his parents. You bet we would help!
What started out as us agreeing to donate $500.00 in service to get their vehicle in shape, turned into so much more. I should have known that Southern Oregon would not stand by and let us take on this task alone. The vehicle the family really needed repaired was a Dodge Durango that had been sitting for a while. We enlisted a local tow company, Star Towing and Collision, who picked up the Durango from the family and brought it to our shop, free of charge. Once we (and when I say we, I mean Dave), did an inspection on the Durango, it was determined that the vehicle had much more damage then it was probably worth (a low estimate was about $3,000).
As we were racking our brains, trying to figure out what to do, I received a phone call from a local repo and collections company. David Stepp and Ron Sherrard from Rapid Repo and Collections, wanted to do whatever they could to help. I let David know about the shape of the family's car and he went into action. Later that day, David called back to let me know that he and the owner of Rapid Repo would like to donate a van they now had title of. What a HUGE blessing this was! It could not have come at a better time!
On Saturday, Ron and David delivered a 2001 Chrysler Town and Country mini van to our shop in Grants Pass. After we (Dave), inspected the car, we found it had a significant misfire; a bad window motor; needed a tune up and fluid changes. Thankfully, about $1,300 in maintenance and repairs later, the car is running well and seems to be in great shape to help Hunter and his mom have a safe and reliable ride to school and beyond.
We also have to thank Advanced Glass of Grants Pass, who donated a new windshield valued at $225.00; Advantage Tire of Medford who are donating two new tires; a local resident who saw me on T.V. and sent in a check for $40.00 wanting to help with the repairs; and one of our own staff, Janet Roseen who put her $20.00 into the cause as well. With those donations and our contributions, we were able to give the family a $100.00 gas card and some gift cards to local eateries. We are also giving them a year of free oil changes
When I handed Hunter's dad Mark the key to their "new to them" mini van, the look on his face was priceless. The feeling I got when handing it over, was amazing. Our shop, Kelly's Automotive Service has received a lot of wonderful P.R for this event. However, the true heros are Bill Meyer who got this going and the guys from Rapid Repo and Collections, for stepping up and donating the van.
If you are reading this and are moved at all by what this wonderful community did to solve a problem, please take a couple of minutes and send a little thank you to Bill Meyer and the guys at Rapid Repo and Collections.
Here is a link to Bill's Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/BillMeyerShow?fref=ts
A link to Rapid Repos website http://www.rapidrepo.com/
What now for Hunter and the school? Well, mom Nicole and dad Mark sat down with the principle and the policy of segregated (shaming) detention is being changed. That is all these parents wanted in the first place. They never set out to get publicity or a hand out, they just wanted to create positive change.
Thank you Nicole and Mark for being brave and standing up not just for your son, but for all children. Thank you Southern Oregon for reminding me once again how blessed we are to live here.
Thank you Rapid Repo for letting me hand the keys over to Mark and Nicole. Now, I think I want to be a game show host when I grow up. I could give stuff away every day!
