Asking for your assistance - charity

[jimkana]

Okay, this is a different deal, but car related. I need to raise some cash quick, so I am asking for any and all assistance you can give:

A friend of mine, Cindy Hawkins, operates "Kids First Center" in Alabaster. It is an after school ministry for the kids living in the Simmsville community, one of the poorest parts of Alabaster(maybe the poorest, I don't know). The Center is open in the afternoons for kids to come for about 3-4 hours after school, Monday-Thursday. Volunteers tutor the kids and assist with homework; the kids have a safe place to play and they even have a makeshift gym with donated workout equipment and a computer lab of donated PCs. Cindy is trying to make a difference in these kids lives and help at least some of them escape the poverty of both money and spirit that they are growing up around.

Cindy has been using her personal van to take the kids on field trips and meet all of the cargo hauling needs of the center. About a month ago, the van's transmission died and repair would cost about $3000, about what she paid for the Dodge Caravan several years ago. She has been without a regular vehicle since then and its a big deal to get supplies around and kids to and from places.

So here is the appeal: Help in any way you can. If you know someone that would give her a nice minivan, she would be very grateful. If you know someone willing to sell a minivan for sub market value, that's good too. If you can send her some money to help, it will be appreciated.

Here is my offer: I am not a mechanic, but I can do some work on Miatas decently well. I can do tops and timing belts and a limited number of stuff. I can assist you with work you may be doing on anything. All I am asking is that you pay $50/hour for my actual time. I think this is close to shop rates. Just remember, this is about raising money. All money will go to pay for a van, or if a van is found, it will go directly to the center for expenses. I will not keep any for me. My services are available until a van is bought and insured.

Any one interested can post here, email me, or call at 621-2141. Thanks!

Eric Edwards

[zukitek]

this may have been covered but what is the possibility of an individual taking the van and making repairs ? I am also interested in the specific such as the year model,engine size,transaxle type(3 or 4speed). The company I work for has a location in Alabaster and may be willing to contribute some .

RR

[hondamaint]

I sent this information upstream to people that would handle this kind of request. I will let you know if I hear anything.

[w. leavitt]

Eric, I know you don't know me but let me check with my wife, we have a 1987ish Dodge full size van with like 88k miles on it. Needs tires (one is flat at the moment) but it's fully driveable. I was going to put a hitch on it and make it my tow vehicle but this would be a much better use for it. I think I can convince her to donate it for a tax write off. Like I said, let me check with her, pm me if you're interested.

[jimkana]

Thanks to each of you! This is an awesome club. I appreciate all the responses so far.

[Jedi1]

I can offer to help move anything that needs moved with my truck if they need that sort of thing. I also have a few older PC's laying around with dead hard drives that would work just fine for surfing or word processing if they can come up with a hard drive or two. I know it's not exactly what you were asking for, but it's what I can do at this time.

[jimkana]

Firstly, I appreciate everyone jumping in to assist. I found out from Cindy last night that it looks like there is a Chevy Venture that will be given to Kids First. They will have to buy tires and a few other minor repairs, and insurance (which is $1200/year because they haul kids in the van). So they are in a much better position than they were just a few days ago, assuming they get this other van.


Ricky, The current van is a 1996 Caravan with 250K miles on it. They are concerned about all of the other stuff that can go wrong with it even if the transmission is fixed. So they did not think repair would be a good investment of time and money.

Will, your sacrificial attitude is much appreciated, but at the moment it looks like they will not need your van.

Paul, thanks for forwarding the info to Honda. Going forward, it would be fantastic if they have some kind of community investment program of any kind that could assist Kids First.

Sean, Thanks for the offer of help. Cindy would be interested in any kind of assistance. I can put you in touch with her and you two can discuss how you may help.


I don't want to make it sound like they are out of the woods yet, but it is looking better. Again, any help is appreciated by Cindy and the kids. I'll keep you posted. Thanks!

[jimkana]

Just a quick update, and probably the last on this topic:

Kid's First has received a van - the Chevy Venture. It is high mileage, but in good shape. Some minor repairs needed, tires and a good cleaning. Now they have a reliable method of transport. I appreciate everyone's generosity and willingness to help out. It means a lot.

Thanks!

[zukitek]

Just a quick update, and probably the last on this topic:

Kid's First has received a van - the Chevy Venture. It is high mileage, but in good shape. Some minor repairs needed, tires and a good cleaning. Now they have a reliable method of transport. I appreciate everyone's generosity and willingness to help out. It means a lot.

Thanks!

If they need any help on this van just let me know .