A young mom from Franklin County, Kansas, was walking 6 miles every day to get to work. But this month, she received a Christmas gift to remember: a van to speed her off to work and keep her warm and safe.
After community members noticed the 24-year-old woman walking alongside the highway no matter how cold it was outside, some of them expressed concern to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.
The woman told deputies that she had no choice but to make the long trek to the truck stop so she could provide for her two children.
They knew they had to do something to help her.
Several times after receiving concerned calls from well-meaning citizens, the deputies gave her a ride to work. But they knew this wasn’t enough to help her in the long run.
So, community members, deputies at the Sheriff’s Office, and Love’s Truck Stop partnered together to deliver the ultimate Christmas surprise.
Between community and personal donations, as well as “No Shave November” funds donated by some local businesses, they raised enough to cover the cost of a van, vehicle registration and a year’s worth of car insurance, two new car seats, a gift card, and some cash.
On Dec. 15, those involved in the fundraiser surprised the woman at Love’s Truck Stop, bringing her an early Christmas gift that’s bound to change her quality of life for the better.
The sheriff’s office thanked Bill Crowley, John and Erin Coffman, Napa Auto Parts, Ripples of Change, T&W Sanitation, and the sheriff’s deputies, who chose to remain anonymous.
