Noble Causes
Donation protected
My name is Jeff Green. I work at Green's Towing and Auto Repair. I have been blessed with a career that affords me the opportunity to meet new people every day. With my line of work I also have the chance to help people constantly. Sometimes, what I do for people goes beyond the "duty" of a tow truck driver. On many occasions I meet people that need my services that have fallen on tough times. I have changed plenty of tires, jump started many cars, and pulled a lot of people out of snowy ditches. Sometimes I perform my services for people in need for free. I ask them to merely remember that sometimes people need help and if at somepoint in the future they pay the good deed forward to someone else in need. This practice doesn't help pay the bills, but I hope that they tell some friends and that word of mouth may reciprocate the loss. Also, it just feels good to help. On November 3, I was doing just a regular tow for a family. The customer agreed to pay the charge and I went to pick him and his family up.
Allow me to set the scene a little bit. Its around midnight. Its 40 degrees outside. This family broke down on the Interstate. As I pull up the gentleman steps out of this truck. I approach him and introduce myself. He says his name is Noble. I asked him and his family to have a seat in my truck so I can get their truck loaded up. Noble; who 70 years old, his wife and 3 little girls (9-11) pile themselves in my tow truck. I get their truck loaded and we are on our way. We start chatting, but something about their situation doens't fit. Something is a miss. So we start talking more and I casually ask about the children. They are Noble's great grand kids. Well, that explains the age difference. Then, I get confused about why the kids are visitng their great grand parents on a school night. A little more chit chat and I get the back story now. Noble and his wife; June, have guardianship over the kids. They took them in back in July because their mother and her boyfriend couldn't put the children over their drug habbit. They didnt have beds for the girls or food to feed them. Noble and June are now providing for these children.
Trying to hold back some tears, I unload his truck in their driveway. June takes the girls inside to get ready for bed and Noble shows me where he wants the truck. Noble and I have a quick heart to heart conversation. I ask about the girls and how everything is at home. Then I ask if the girls have winter coats and clothing for when it gets cold. He tells me how they are going to churches and trying to get some help. Then I see him reach for his wallet to square up with me. I tell him to put his wallet back. I give him the $35 I had on me at the time,and I cried in front of this man. I told him how proud he should be for stepping up to a challenge like this. I made him promise me that he would use the tow money and my money for coats. Then we hugged. I'm not one to hug strangers but it felt right.
Now, I'm driving home. I cried for the first half of the trip. Then I felt really good about what I did. Then, I start to cry again. I remember some Christmas's that my family had when we were struggling. I promised myself that I wouldn't let that happen to these girls. This is where all of you come in. Help me to help this family. I'm not looking for much. Maybe $5 or so. You could save me your loose change for the next month. Anything will help. I look back at how much we spend on Starbucks, cable internet, video games, sattelite tv, candy, designer clothes, etc. These girls only dream of that kind of stuff. I will match all donations personally, up to $1,000.00. I just cant bear to think about dissapointment or heartache for these girls when they dont have any Christmas presents or a nice meal.
I plan to use the money to take the family shopping for winter clothes first and foremost. Then to a supermarket to arrange for a proper Christmas dinner. Then the money thats left will go to presents and the like. Like I said, I'm not asking for much. Maybe, make a cup of coffee at home instead of your favortie venti icedmachiamericappucinatte (I made that word up). Maybe head to McDonalds for lunch instead of Applebees. Just a few bucks here and there will add up to a big difference for this family. If you have girls that have out grown their clothes or toys that would be great too. Anything helps.
Allow me to set the scene a little bit. Its around midnight. Its 40 degrees outside. This family broke down on the Interstate. As I pull up the gentleman steps out of this truck. I approach him and introduce myself. He says his name is Noble. I asked him and his family to have a seat in my truck so I can get their truck loaded up. Noble; who 70 years old, his wife and 3 little girls (9-11) pile themselves in my tow truck. I get their truck loaded and we are on our way. We start chatting, but something about their situation doens't fit. Something is a miss. So we start talking more and I casually ask about the children. They are Noble's great grand kids. Well, that explains the age difference. Then, I get confused about why the kids are visitng their great grand parents on a school night. A little more chit chat and I get the back story now. Noble and his wife; June, have guardianship over the kids. They took them in back in July because their mother and her boyfriend couldn't put the children over their drug habbit. They didnt have beds for the girls or food to feed them. Noble and June are now providing for these children.
Trying to hold back some tears, I unload his truck in their driveway. June takes the girls inside to get ready for bed and Noble shows me where he wants the truck. Noble and I have a quick heart to heart conversation. I ask about the girls and how everything is at home. Then I ask if the girls have winter coats and clothing for when it gets cold. He tells me how they are going to churches and trying to get some help. Then I see him reach for his wallet to square up with me. I tell him to put his wallet back. I give him the $35 I had on me at the time,and I cried in front of this man. I told him how proud he should be for stepping up to a challenge like this. I made him promise me that he would use the tow money and my money for coats. Then we hugged. I'm not one to hug strangers but it felt right.
Now, I'm driving home. I cried for the first half of the trip. Then I felt really good about what I did. Then, I start to cry again. I remember some Christmas's that my family had when we were struggling. I promised myself that I wouldn't let that happen to these girls. This is where all of you come in. Help me to help this family. I'm not looking for much. Maybe $5 or so. You could save me your loose change for the next month. Anything will help. I look back at how much we spend on Starbucks, cable internet, video games, sattelite tv, candy, designer clothes, etc. These girls only dream of that kind of stuff. I will match all donations personally, up to $1,000.00. I just cant bear to think about dissapointment or heartache for these girls when they dont have any Christmas presents or a nice meal.
I plan to use the money to take the family shopping for winter clothes first and foremost. Then to a supermarket to arrange for a proper Christmas dinner. Then the money thats left will go to presents and the like. Like I said, I'm not asking for much. Maybe, make a cup of coffee at home instead of your favortie venti icedmachiamericappucinatte (I made that word up). Maybe head to McDonalds for lunch instead of Applebees. Just a few bucks here and there will add up to a big difference for this family. If you have girls that have out grown their clothes or toys that would be great too. Anything helps.
Organizer
Jeffrey Douglas Green
Organizer
Valparaiso, IN
