LUVTruck.com

So the story is I was looking for a Luv for a while and I found one in Goldendale WA. I asked for some pic and she sent them. The truck was a little rougher than what I was looking for and I told her so and wished her luck. She then emailed me and asked if I could use it if she GAVE it to me. I said Hell yes. So I went to go pick it up and tried to give $100 for it and she said no she really wanted me to have it. She said that she did run a small nonprofit volunteer ran community thrift store and if I want I could donate the money to that. I said sure.

Well I'm one that believes in karma and so later that year I organized a charity drive with the other forum that I'm part of(http://www.carfreeks.net) to help get food and used items for the store. We didn't have to many people show because of bad weather (Mid Dec) but we did bring a lot of stuff. It felt great to help and know that we made a big deference.

I know this is a national forum so alot of you will not be coming but the few that can will help a lot
The plan is to meet at the Vancouver Mall 9:30 and leave at 10:00. We will be taking highway 14 to Goldendale.

There will be a BBQ at the store after the long drive. There will be hotdogs, hamburgers, chips and pop.
I will need a headcount so I know how much food to buy.

This makes me feel great every time I read it.

Thank you letter from last year
Dear carfreeks,

Today, for The Goldendale Community Store was a day like no other here.
Not only did we reap the kindness of your long drive and giving spirit
but we saw another way to continue to help serve and feed the folks here
that need it so badly. You charity in our behalf was the most amazing
thing! After you left and I had a chance to help put the food on the
shelves and see all the wonderful things you brought, I started crying
and 'think I didn't stop until closing time. For me, the store was a
long time dream and in the beginning, when I made the leap of faith to
get it off the ground, I did it believing it had to open and be a place
where people in need could come and always be made to feel welcome, not
shamed for the position they were in or what life may have handed them.
A "hands up principal" without judgment. I have tried to meet that
goal but I sure could not have done it without much help. Your clubs
kindness will help so many. As I went through the many donations that
you brought, I found that many of the items were just the things needed
to complete two families Christmas wish packages. Mittens, PJ'S, hats,
socks etc. And, as your rigs in the back alley were just starting up
and you had not left yet, a man came through the front door and wrote a
check for the hide-a-bed. It will pay our electric bill this month.
Next week I can now call one of our bigger families of six whose mother,
their only parent, is presently in the hospital with cancer and let them
know that we will be delivering needed food to them, (even diapers for
the little one)

I cannot thank you all enough. I often wonder what puts people together
and have come to believe that the universe just provides this old hippie
with things that are needed if I just keep putting one foot in front of
the other and let it happen. Cody, after reading many emails sent me
about the Luv after I put it on craigs, I got to yours and something
stood out in it. As I try to do these days, I slept on it and when I
got up the next morning I knew I was going to tell you to come and pick
up the truck and take it home. I didn't know where you lived or who you
were and you sure didn't know me but I knew it was the right way to go.
I'm so glad I listened to what my heart was telling me.

Please tell each and every one of people in the club that made this
miracle happen for the store and people here. If there is anything I
can ever do for any one of you, all you have to do is ask. My home and
store is always open to you.

Peace, Jessica

Just a little update

"Our clothes give away has been turned over to a church down the street from us who has a huge sorting room and place to keep them. The need for clothes became so big as the economy tanked and a woman there volunteered to take that component on for me and I jumped at the offer. We were running out of room to sort and keep them and mostly, it's just this old hippie at the store who doesn't have sense enough to give up. Oh, Cody the needs keep growing and growing every day and it's heart breaking to see those who come in and need so much. The store rarely gives cash to help someone cause we are too poor to do so with the exception of an occasional twenty dollars for gas to get someone to work but the other day a man named Don whom I have known a long, long time, about my age, came into the store and looked so sad and I asked him what was wrong and he started to cry. This is a guy who has lived her all of his life, always worked, raised his family, is married and no longer has a job. He had been without his blood pressure medication for weeks and nowhere to turn to get help. He wasn't coming to the store for help, just a place to talk where he knew he would be heard. I got him into my car, drove him the drug store and got his medication which was $139.00, a huge amount for the store but what are ya going to do? It was the most painful thing I had ever seen in his face and his need to be that position. He's only one of many who now come for help, ideas, advice and just a listening ear. Soooo...what we do need at the store...warm coats of all sizes in kids five years to teens. I am still collecting and keeping coats at the store and will give them all away come the cold weather and have some for adults but none for school age kids so always need more. I need good, warm boots and shoes for that age too and work boots for men and woman who I have been successful in finding work for. Tools of all kinds if anyone has an extra hammer, drill, screw driver, any tool someone might need to take to a job. warm gloves for both adults and kids. Blankets, sheets, towels, pillows, small microwaves, pots and pans, any kitchen ware really is always on my needed list.

Here's my dream/wish list for any merchandise that we can sell that pays the rent (and never seem to have enough of)

Fishing poles, (anything fishing related) VHS videos, VCR's, (presently there are videos at the store that were mine and I donated as well as my old VCR (which sold immediately) small dressers, small couches and chairs, small book shelves, knick knacks of all kinds and most anything that those who can buy at the store cannot get in Goldendale like cool, funky inexpensive jewelry, anything skater related, the kinds of things those who can spend a dollar or two will buy cause they don't have such places here to get them."

Thank you again for your kindness and hanging with this old hippie who sure hopes she is making a difference in the lives of the folks here.
Peace, Jessica

Where's the Luv.
There is no one in the area that has a few extra items around the house or a can or two of food. This is just sad.