I have a friend named Mary who needs a car to live in this Winter. Mary is 67 years old and lives on $900 per month in social security.

Mary and I met about four years ago in Quartzsite, Arizona. At the time, I was working as a transport driver for a mortuary, and I was the one who arrived on the day that Mary’s husband, Gus, died.

Mary and Gus had been nomads for much of their lives, traveling from place to place selling dream-catchers and other handmade items.

About a year or two after Gus’ death, Mary moved to Missouri for a short time and then last Spring, decided to move to Utah. She was able to arrange for a place to live before she came, but on the way here, her van died. That wasn’t too big of a problem since the person she was living with here in Sanpete County had a vehicle that she could drive.

However, about two months ago, that living situation ended unexpectedly, and Mary needed another place to live. The short notice and her limited income meant that she had few viable options.

That’s where I come in. I have lived in some sort of a mobile dwelling for the last several years - travel trailer, mobile home, conversion van, and most recently a little Chevy Blazer, which is the most cozy situation yet.

When I heard that Mary had no place to go, I offered that she could live in my Blazer, and that I would live in a tent until she had the money to purchase something else. We hoped that she could get another vehicle that we could convert to a mobile dwelling, but neither she nor I has had the extra funds to purchase something else.

That’s where you come in. The weather is starting to turn, and Mary needs to get something soon so that I can move back into my Blazer and she can have a cozy little place to live for the Winter.

We figure that for $1000, we can buy something that runs. We already have a friend who says that she can park it on his land for the Winter.

Other ways you can help:

Donate a vehicle: If one of you has an old van, mini-van, or SUV that you’re not using, we would be glad to take it off your hands.

Extra work: Mary and I are both able-bodied, and if we could earn enough extra income over the next month, we could afford the vehicle ourselves. I used to have a window cleaning business, and so that is something I could help you with if you’re interested. Also handyman work or cleaning etc…

How we’ll use the money:

All contributions will be used to purchase a vehicle for Mary, and we will update you just as soon as she is able to get situated.

If we earn more than the $1000 we are seeking, we will use the money to buy a better vehicle, and if we still have money left over, we will donate the excess money to the Sanpete County Food Bank.

If somebody donates a vehicle, we will donate the funds to Mary to help her get situated, and any excess funds will be donated to the Sanpete County Food Bank.

Thanks in advance for your generous donation. It means more than you know!