Here's the latest update! Sarah has a "new" car! Thanks to a former Sunday School student of mine from years ago (5th & 6th grade), Drew works at a Volvo Dealership. A car came in as a trade-in shortly after his dad, Rick made a contribution. Long story short, it is a 2016 Honda CRV with 82,000 miles on it. There was some work that needed to be done, but Rick contributed to the cost of the parts and Drew contributed his time and labor! The dealership took care of some hail damage and some detailing and the price was way beyond reasonable and there is comfort knowing that it will be a great car and she will get many years of reliable service!
Even though the cost was well beyond reasonable, we're still short by about $1200. There are fees associated with the donations coming via credit cards through this site, which takes a small bite out of the total amount raised. Rick has agreed to pick this difference up as a no interest loan, so if you haven't already, please consider making a contribution as Rick and his son has gone overboard in what they have already done to make this possible for Sarah to be driving a safe vehicle again!
Thank you sooooo much to all of you that have already contributed!
Here's the original post:
Sarah has been a dedicated employee at our bed-and-breakfast in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania for several years. She lives just down the road with her mother and her two children, ages 10 and 11. As a single mom, Sarah has faced more than her share of challenges. Her childhood was marked by poverty and instability—her father struggled with addiction, and at one point, Sarah lived in a laundromat at a young age. Despite these hardships, she has worked hard to build a better life for her children, determined to break the cycle and provide them with stability and hope.
Sarah’s mother has ongoing health issues and cannot work, so Sarah is the sole provider for her family. She works part-time for us, and we’ve seen firsthand her dedication and resilience. A couple of years ago, a local organization helped repair their home’s leaking roof, but their house remains in a floodplain and resources are always stretched thin. Six months ago, Sarah was rear-ended while driving her only car—a 2004 Honda Accord she bought with years of savings. The accident left her car unsafe and unable to pass inspection, but it remains her only means of transportation. Now, she’s limited in where she can go, whether it’s getting groceries, taking her children to the doctor, or simply participating in daily life.
We want to help Sarah get a reliable car so she can safely care for her family and continue working. Our own finances are stretched, as we’re also helping our daughter through a difficult time, but we know how much a dependable vehicle would mean to Sarah. We would be very thankful if you could not only help Sarah by contributing, but also share her story with others. Growing up in poverty is not easy to overcome, but Sarah is determined to give her children a better life. Sometimes it feels like she can't catch a break, and your support would mean the world to her and her family.