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Used car gives single dad, his children a real lift

Editor's note: The Time is Now to Help was founded by a local businessman who knew extreme poverty as a child. With the help of donations from the community, The Time is Now is able to help local residents in need.

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Dear W.C.,

I have been struggling with my broken-down car. I do not want to lose my job because I cannot get to work. It took me more than six months to find the job I have now. I have not caught up with my bills yet, since I was unemployed.

I cannot afford to call a cab every day. I do not know any other employees well enough to ask for a ride. My children rely on me to take care of them. How can I do that without a reliable car? Please help so I can keep my job, pay off my bills and care for my children.

Dear readers,

I would like to give a heartfelt thank you to our few gracious car donors for the wonderful vehicles they have supplied for our hard-working mothers and fathers. Due to the generosity of another caring and sharing couple, we have been able to supply this letter writer with a reliable car.

It is impossible to share with you the emotional response we experience when we hand over the keys to a good running car.

Daily transportation is necessary for all ages and circumstances. Many need a car for work, as shown in this request for assistance. Others may need a vehicle to safely transport themselves or dependents to medical visits, therapies and other daily necessities. It is always a tearful visit when a car is delivered.

I paid a visit to the writer of this letter. I was greeted by a devoted single father. He had four children ranging in age from 10 to 18. His wife had a drinking and drug problem and did not want the responsibility of raising children. She had left about two years ago.

I talked with the employer and was told the father was a hard worker. I could see the love and bond he had with each child. His teenagers were polite and responsible. They each told me their daily chores. The youngest was in charge of the garbage, the two middle children were in charge of the laundry and cleaning the apartment. The oldest son went to school and worked, giving his paycheck to help pay the bills. All the children were proud to be doing their part.

They all were excited about school and told me of their good grades. The father was doing an excellent job raising the children. Every Sunday they went to church together, even if it meant walking with umbrellas. Even with an unplanned visit, the house was orderly and the children were well behaved. I was very happy to have received a wonderful donated vehicle to share with this gentleman.

We went over his budget and outstanding bills. Several were medical bills due to his children having been sick. He was being pressured by the hospital to make payments on these bills. He was unable to pay his full rent due to the six months off work. He did not receive enough unemployment to cover all the expenses of raising four children, including rent, food, clothing and utilities.

We brought his utility bills up to date and supplied him with both food and gas assistance. A budget was set that he could meet.

When this family received their donated car, the father was overwhelmed. He walked slowly to the car with his children. The children were in awe of such a gift. They could not believe such wonderful people would donate a car to help an absolute stranger. The father broke down in tears as his children all hugged him.

This family had been broken not only by the abandonment of their wife and mother, but also by the recession, which hit them hard. Together we helped them overcome some of the financial hurdles in their lives. The God-loving donors of their gift of transportation have chosen to help care for their fellow Americans. God bless them and all of you for caring and sharing. Together we make a big difference helping our fellow creations of God.

Health and happiness, God bless everyone, W.C.

Please help: Make checks payable to: The Time Is Now to Help, P.O. Box 70, Pell Lake, WI 53157. The Time Is Now to Help is a federally recognized 501(c)3 charitable organization licensed in Wisconsin and Illinois. You will receive a tax-deductible, itemized, thank-you receipt showing exactly what every penny of your donation provided for the poverty stricken.

A very special thank you to: August Blessings donors, Clarence and Marilyn Schawk, Mark and Natalie Reno, Albert and Geraldine Hinton, Dick and Jean Honeyager, Martin Business Group, Lake Geneva Area Realty, Jim and Lynne Newman, Martin O’Brien, David and Mary Riesland, Michael Glass, Michael Butler Sr., Albert and Ellen Burnell, William and Jean Isaacson, Patty and Sid Johnson, Kathleen Molling, Gerald and Joyce Byers, Diane Stumpner, Leslie Scheurer, Jennifer Olomon, Jerome and Susan Kuta, Jeanne Ludwig, Brenna McKenzie, Howard and Maureen Gleason, Nancy Yaeger, Ed and Anna Marie Cygan, Sylvester and Virginia Seick, Lillian Rudolf, Patricia Jankowski, Marvin Hersko and Audrey Wunderlin-Hersko, James and Marilynn Dyer, Donna Moose, Terri Hodgson, Christine Orfan, Lora Hill, L. Marson, Betty Brown, Melissa Barry, James Hirst, Christy Malcolm, W.C. Family Resource Center/Food Pantry volunteers, and the God-loving volunteers of all our caring food pantries, all of you who support The Time Is Now to Help donation boxes and the businesses that allow our donation boxes. Anyone who would like a Time Is Now donation box in your business, please call (262) 249-7000.

In addition, the following donations were given in memory of Donna Harma: Duane Harma, Debra Harry, Stephen and Kathleen Harma, James Harma, Roger and Marilyn Harma, Bonnie Harma, Erik and Kari Dennis, Craig and Sally Johnson, Debra Gehrke, Louis and Mary Paetsch, Gary and Marica Rhone, Arthur and Carol Prosek, Bernd and Christine Kampe, Graham and Geraldine Peterson, Joseph and Shirley Wikrent, Tim and Tami Winkler, LuAnn Himebauch, Donald and Mary Rigali and Annette Siehoff.