NAC Charity drive- Nice Article...

[OverlandXJ]

Hello NAC members and friends, I'd like to ask you all to open your hearts and perhaps your wallet for a small donation to a worthy cause.

A few weeks ago i was reading the local newspaper and come across an article where a fellow Jeep owner lost his life while repairing his familys Jeep Grand Cherokee. This article struck me deeply and i spoke with a few other friends within the NAC, together we decided it was something we wanted to offer our assistance in. This gentleman left behind a wife and three children.

We made contact offering assistance in repairing this Jeep and yesterday i met with the wife. Her name is Stephanie, a very nice woman with several great young sons. After offering our condolences i inspected the Jeep, it is in generally good condition but i'm sure it can use a few things to potentially help in it's safety and dependability.

It needs at minimum two tires, has a coolant leak and can probably benefit from a complete tune-up, fluid change and a brake overhaul. I discussed with Stephanie the desire to repair her coolant loss issue, but would like to surprise her with the additional work i saw it needs and am asking for y'alls assistance in making this happen.

Myself and the few members i mentioned earlier have put aside time to get together and do the work this Jeep needs. We can use help with financial donations. I'm asking for your compassion and to donate a few dollars, whatever you can afford to help out. $5, $10, $20 all adds up in the end.

Thanks

John Bellerby
NAC Director at Large

[MoparManiac]

Donation sent.

Read about this last week. Terrible tragedy.

[Andy in Pa.]

Donation sent.

Read about this last week. Terrible tragedy.

Thanks Colin, yeah... I can't even imagine.

John contacted me about this, and I think its a great gesture to help out a suddenly-strapped family. As John said, any funds collected will go to parts for the ZJ, and any extra will be handed to the family in the form of a check. Anyone that would like to donate but does not use paypal, go ahead and send a check or MO to:

NAXJA-NAC
1507 Fox Run Dr
Coatesville, Pa. 19320

Thanks for setting this up John!!

Andy

[bandit455]

andy

lemme know if your around my area sometime this week, would love to donate to a worthy cause

[RoyalXJ]

donation sent.

if you need any help lemme know. im down to wrench

[5spd_xj]

Read about this last week. Terrible tragedy.


x2

I'll be sending a donation shortly, once my check clears this week...I'm kinda strapped for cash at the moment, but absolutely intend on assisting with this cause. As horrible of a situation as it is, I feel a giant sense of pride in our club for you (John and company) stepping up and getting this together. The people in this club are just great, and I'm extremely proud to be a part of it.

thoughts are with the family, Mia and I wish them the best as they try to cope with their loss...

[OverlandXJ]

Thank You guys... we appreciate every dime donated. Keep in mind anyone can donate, you dont have to be a Jeep owner.. or from the NAC. Have a friend?, Family that may contribute? Just drop a donation through paypal and rest assured your helping a young family through a difficult time.

Yesterday when i knocked on the door one of the sons answered... thats when it hit me just how much i'v taken for granted in my own life.

[5spd_xj]

Speaking of paypal...if anyone reading this is local to me and wants to donate but doesn't have paypal, just PM me what you want to donate and I'll add it in with what I send at the end of this week and you can pay me back when I see you next...no reason for donations not to be given because of silly accessibility issues like that. :thumbup:

[billyjp2]

i just transfered money from my account into my paypal, how long before you gentlemen go into action?

[OverlandXJ]

Speaking of paypal...if anyone reading this is local to me and wants to donate but doesn't have paypal, just PM me what you want to donate and I'll add it in with what I send at the end of this week and you can pay me back when I see you next...no reason for donations not to be given because of silly accessibility issues like that. :thumbup:


Agreed, i'm sure we can accept checks and money orders payable to the NAC as well. I'll also take cash from locals and provide a hand written receipt.

Andy, please post an address for those who wish to mail in a check/MO, and to the proper payee details.

[OverlandXJ]

i just transfered money from my account into my paypal, how long before you gentlemen go into action?

The plan is to accept donations as long as they continue to roll in, possibly a few weeks.

We are coordinating to be working on this vehicle asap.

[Andy in Pa.]

Agreed, i'm sure we can accept checks and money orders payable to the NAC as well. I'll also take cash from locals and provide a hand written receipt.

Andy, please post an address for those who wish to mail in a check/MO, and to the proper payee details.

Edited my post above...

[OverlandXJ]

Thanks Andy.

A local Tire retailer has offered up their assistance. www.tirecity.com

I received a PM asking me to cross post this in the SEC chapter, some of our brothren down south would like to help as well.

Received a PM from another Jeep club in NJ, some of the NAC members also are members. New Jersey Jeep association. www.njja.com

Thanks Guys! :loveu:

[js_customs]

Donation sent...if you find out anything else it needs, let us know. I'd be happy to pick up stuff from the junk yard for it next time I'm there.

[OverlandXJ]

Donation sent...if you find out anything else it needs, let us know. I'd be happy to pick up stuff from the junk yard for it next time I'm there.

Thank You!

If you happen to see an Orvis edition ZJ i know this one could use a new drivers door panel.

[96RedZJ]

Im Mike (RedZJ) with NJJA. This is really great what you guys are doing, and I plan on sending a little money. If you guys need anything part wise I can prob. help. I have a few left over Parts from all my Grands I had. And if not then ill know where to find it.

[GI-John]

Bump for a great cause!

[OverlandXJ]

Hi Mike, glad to see you stop in over here. Were very appreciative of the assistance were receiving from our neighbor club. Thanks to you all at NJJA!!

The compassion of my fellow Jeepers never ceases to amaze me, y'all are making me proud to be a member. Keep it coming... we'v still got a ways to go.

:cheers:

[BillDunn83]

donation sent... if you guys need anything else let me know I am local enough. I will post this on the fiend web site too.

[OverlandXJ]

:repair:

[billyjp2]

donation sent, good luck with the fix guys!!

[OverlandXJ]

Thanks Billy.

Work began yesterday, more today. Will post some pics tonight.

[OverlandXJ]

Please keep the donations coming... were going to let this drive run another week. All funds in excess of parts go to the family to help with bills. With that said, here's where we stand as of this afternoon.

Last week in addition to setting up the donations through the NAC paypal account myself and Chris (CHW) started making phone calls and sending off emails looking for assistance from local business outlets.

A few were glad to help, others ignored requests and some needed written documentation to approach their Board of Officers. We didnt have time for the latter... so we ran with the local business's who did step up.

Yesterday i picked up the Jeep, a 96 Orvis Edition Jeep Grand Cherokee. Took it to Tire City (www.tirecity.com) in Bristol,Pa. A company who just celebrated their 50th year serving the community. They donated new tires for the vehicle, and asked what else they could do to help the family. Outstanding contribution... Please, if you have a few moments drop them an email at TireCity@comcast.net thanking them for their generosity, and if your local and in need of service dont hesitate to visit these fine folks.

Today Chris and i along with a few other NAC members, GI-John and EasyXJer (Danny) met at Chris' house to do more work on this Jeep.

When we got there Chris had a large box full of parts donated from Penndel Auto Parts, another Mom&Pop type business who's been serving the community of Penndel,Pa for decades. Penndel AP was extremely generous with donations of brakes F&R, complete tune up plugs/cap/rotor/wires, fuel filter, oil and filter, air filter and other fluids. Again, please take a moment and give these fine folks a call at (215) 757-5121 thanking them. If your in the area and need parts, this is the place to go. I know i'll personally drive a few extra miles when i buy parts from here on out. Thanks Penndel AP!

So we got to work, and it was like a well trained pit crew with parts flying, air tools singing, and the occasional breaking of stones. :laugh3: We found a few items that needed attention in addition to the parts provided. Unfortunately with it being sunday ( we had downpours yesterday) we were left with only the large chain-type parts store to source these items, We picked up an O2 sensor, wipers and bulbs. We also needed to address a coolant leak, which was proving difficult to find, we tightened hoses and topped it off, we will keep an eye on that. We also had to tweak the new exhaust that Nick, her late husband had been working on and straightened that out.

We called Stephanie and told her she could pick up her Jeep around 1, she showed up with a delicious lunch of fresh hot Pizza. Over Pizza we went around the Jeep describing what we had done, and the parts that were donated by companies. She fought back tears several times as she hugged us each thanking us. She mentioned just how astonished she is of the generosity of the people in her life since this terrible tragedy. Even her young sons were appreciative extending their hand for a handshake to each of us, these kids will grow to be fine men one day.

I'd like to take the opportunity to thank Chris, John and Danny. Each of these guys offered their assistance long before i was finished with my pitch to recruit them. I'd also like to thank Andy in Pa and the rest of the NAC BOD for being behind this charity drive... making it easy for us to get this done. I owe each and every one of you. :cheers:

I'd also like to thank the membership here, and from NJJA. You guys are all outstanding people and i'm forever in your debt. Y'alls generosity is second to none. Thank You all!! I'm unsure of the current numbers, but it appears we will have a nice donation to assist them financially. (She still does not know of this and will be a great surprise when she receives it)

Again, were going to keep this donation drive open for another week. Please, if you havent donated and can swing a few dollars it will go a long way to helping this woman and her young sons. Please open your heart and send a donation, either by mail or paypal at the address posted earlier.

Thanks, and God bless everyone of you.

John B


Pics later when i find my charger.. :(

[OverlandXJ]

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d24/ExpeditionXJ/DSC_3621.jpg


http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d24/ExpeditionXJ/DSC_3623.jpg

[billyjp2]

nice work guys, great to hear that some local companies were willing to give generously.

[MoparManiac]

Makes me feel proud to be a part of this community.

[5spd_xj]

x2 to both Billy and Colin's posts :) Thanks to you guys who lent a hand and did the legwork on getting stuff taken care of. Awesome job :thumbup: :thumbup:

[Begster]

Sorry for slacking, I must have missed this as I was busy with midterms.

Just sent some money.
Great work everyone who is down there helping out.

[Andy in Pa.]

Thats great!!!

Also a BIG Thanks to John, Chris, Danny and GI-John for doing all of the maintanence on the Jeep. And a VERY Big Thanks to John and Chris for speaking with the local vendors about donating the parts. Its great to see companies in these hard financial times that exist right now to still step up and help out.

Thanks gents!!

A.

[altierior]

i read about this tragedy after someone posted a link shortly after it happened.

thank you to the folks here who took the initiative to help. i appreciate the opportunity to donate.

[OverlandXJ]

Thanks Guys!!

Your donations are very much appreciated.

[GrimmJeeper]

NAXJA came together and helped my family pay for funeral expenses when my sister passed away last year, this is a great group of great people. I am glad to see you guys offering up help to this family in thier time of need.

I'll send over all i can afford when i get home tonight. God bless.

[OverlandXJ]

Sorry for your loss Grimmy, this is the first i'v heard of this.

Yeah, theres a good group here.

[GrimmJeeper]

Thanks, life has a funny way of stickin it to ya;)

keep up the good work fellas, funds sent.

[camarors8992]

Good work, a very noble gesture on the part of everyone involved.

Donation sent.

[OverlandXJ]

Few more pics..

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d24/ExpeditionXJ/ZJcharity8.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d24/ExpeditionXJ/ZJcharity9.jpg


The family and i.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d24/ExpeditionXJ/ZJcharity12.jpg


And one of Richie @ Tire City's toys.


http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d24/ExpeditionXJ/ZJcharity7.jpg

[OverlandXJ]

I guess Monday am would be a good time to end this donation drive. If you would like to contribute but have not yet done so please do so by then.

Thanks again, and God bless all of you.

[5spd_xj]

despite the fact that this is a sticky.... "bump" :)

[ROBZ95Xj]

donation sent

[OverlandXJ]

Thanks guys.

This drive will end early tomorrow, get your donations in please if you havent already done so.

[CROSBIKE]

donation sent.

[OverlandXJ]

Donation drive is closed.

Thank You all for your generous donations to a worthy cause.

[Andy in Pa.]

Wow... I just want to say a big "Thank You" to everyone that donated for this family. We really do have a great bunch of people here with big hearts!!

We managed to raise $500 to help the family in this tough time.

The NAC is going to add an additional $150 to this total, for a total of $650. As mentioned in an earlier post above, a small portion of this money goes towards covering costs of some of the parts for the Jeep Grand Cherokee. This amount is not much though, as most of the parts were donated by the local auto parts stores in Penndel, Pa.

All who donated will be receiving a personal "Thank You" from the family. When you get a moment, please PM me your address with full name, and I will make sure the family gets the info.

Again.... you folks are the best, see you all on the trails soon!!!

Andy

[Andy in Pa.]

Here is a follow-up article that ran in the Courier Times, a local Philly newspaper... check this out:

http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/courier_times/courier_times_news_details/article/28/2010/january/05/kindness-fills-an-empty-heart.html

I am really glad we could help her family out!!

A.

[MoparManiac]

I feel so proud to be a member of this chapter. The kindness never seems to end with the guys around here.

:thumbup:

[5spd_xj]

x2. Thanks again John and Andy for making this happen, wish I could have done more to help, but I think as an overall effort we did quite well indeed!!

[MEMBERSHIP]

:thumbup:

Wonderful effort folks!

[ZipperheadXJ00]

amazing story!

[OverlandXJ]

Appreciate the sentiment guys, but none of this would have been possible without the generosity of the membership here as well as Tire City and Penndel Auto parts.

You guys rock..

Again, big thanks to the guys who gave of their time to do the work on this rig and help contacting local business'.

Chris Wagner "CHW"
Danny Weakland "EasyXJer"
John Abronski "GI-John"

As well as the NAC and Nat'l BOD and all who contributed or offered assistance. I'm proud to be associated with this group.