March 27, 2010 @ 12:03 pm
To Wash All Away
Good News Garage, Burlington, VT (17)
My hands were wrinkled, my shirt was soaked and yet I was rolling with laughter as memories of my childhood emerged. Cleaning cars and bikes on Culpepper Drive was a quick way to make a couple of dollars, and a great way to cool off during the hot summer days in Kentucky. In Vermont, we (my dear friend Ashlee decided to join me on this trip) would be doing that exact thing, cleaning cars, but for a totally different reason.
With tears streaming down her face, a single mother with two children confided in Hal Colston, the man who later created Good News Garage. She’d purchased a $500 car but in its first trip out on the road the brakes failed. It continued to break down repeatedly, and though Hal attempted to have the money returned, he was unsuccessful. Later, Mr. Colston focused on addressing this need in his community. He wanted to create “a place where those struggling to get out of poverty could buy a car that was affordable, safe and reliable.” And thus began, Good News Garage.
We’d just finished driving through beautiful Vermont and I’m not kidding, it was absolutely stunning. The road was covered on either side with trees, giant trees, the kind of trees only history can create. Branches were bare, not quite showing the signs of spring, and yet it was still breathtaking. We’d arrived at the Garage and Carmen, on-sight Marketing and Development manager, welcomed us, and upon learning the ins and outs of the operation, our day had begun.
After cleaning the first couple of cars our system was perfected. First, the inside. Out came the floor mats; shaken then vacuumed. A quick sweep over the seats; front and back. While not quite able to reproduce that new-car smell, I must say we did make vast improvements. Moving the soft towels across the dashboard, around the steering wheel and down each door ensured it was the best it could possibly be. Outside, with suds trickling down our arms and with giant, soaked sponges, we washed the cars and vans from top to bottom. Spraying one another for a quick laugh, and as fresh water rinsed the bubbles away, true colors began to show. The smudges were gone, the scratches seemed minimal. For our final touch we wiped streaks from the glass windows, saw our smiles in the shine, stepped back and basked in the glory of our contribution.
I looked below as the dirt washed away in the water and I thought about the people who’d receive these cars. It was most important that they would feel the security of a vehicle constantly at their disposal, however I thought about them walking in the front doors of this facility. I thought about them making their way toward the back of the garage, and then sitting in their car for the very first time. It would feel fresh, it would feel new, it would feel like it was theirs, and theirs alone.
Pride is defined as, “A sense of one’s own proper dignity or value.” It’s unbelievable how important this emotion is for us. It’s a worthiness that allows us to accomplish goals we may have never thought possible. It forces us to move beyond our initial wants and desires to a place where life is bigger, and always dazzling with new adventures. In providing transportation, a way for these people to move about their towns, they’re able to work, attend school, experience opportunities that create self-confidence and self-respect. These feelings are absolutely necessary in succeeding in this world. This organization realizes this need and they’re working everyday to provide for the individuals who will shape our future.
I’ve worked with various organizations over the past several months. Differently, they’ve all taught me something about myself; what I can do, what I can’t do, and in some ways, what I’d like to do for the rest of my life. I’ve also been learning about what’s most important to me. Changing our families, our towns, our cities, our world, begins with a simple act of generosity. Through this journey, I hope to become more generous with my time, my resources and my efforts. It’s really our giving nature that makes a difference to us all. It changes the way we regard one another, other nations and ourselves. That, in itself, is one of the greatest lessons I, or anyone else can ever learn. The people working at Good News Garage cherish their ability to give, and they focus on teaching that generosity to others. They’re doing an amazing job creating amazing days for many, ones that will help in leading to an amazing future.
Note: To Carmen, for her “truly southern hospitality.”
