For the past few days I've been in a state of shock. Someone decided to give a homeless mother a surprise gift. Only in a fantasy would someone give a new car as a gift to a stranger. And no, it wasn't Oprah who sent me a black Honda Odyssey.
When I first sat in it, I just kept staring at it trying to figure out what all the buttons on the dashboard are for. Maggie of course hopped right in and started playing with the seat adjustments, the DVD player and anything else she could find. My teenager asked when she could drive it. I, of course, sent a thank you letter to the generous donors and, with their permission, this is the letter they sent back to me:
Carey,
My wife and I hope to meet you and your daughters someday.
We are so glad you love the van and your girls do as well. We shared the good news with our daughters tonight. A couple months ago, my wife and I just felt like we were supposed to give our van away. We both prayed and it just kept being something that we both felt led to do... we are new to the area we live in so we just started asking some friends and our church if they knew of any one in need. Out of all of that, your need just kept staying at the top. It seemed strange that we couldn't find anyone closer by in Southern California but we just listened to God to be obedient and not try to "figure it out".
It's a gift to you and your girls... it was not our car to begin with, we were stewards of it and now you are the steward. So since it's a gift, if you decide you want to sell it and use the money to help get into housing, you are welcome to as well. The car is in really good condition and low miles so you should be able to get a good deal on it if you do. Again, it's a gift, totally up to you.
I am glad a Dora video was in the DVD player.... Makes me smile.
Thank you and our prayers are with you.
Maybe it's just coincidence that this new car arrived just as I started having engine problems with the white minivan, maybe not. All I know is that the timing of it all is well...synchronicity! I never told anyone I was having problems with my minivan's engine, I just figured I would find a way to fix it on my own. Maybe it's not housing but it's a big hand up considering all the running around I do with advocacy. Not having reliable transportation out here means being dead in the water so to speak. Needless to say, I'm putting the old van up for sale!
As I'm writing this, Maggie is fiddling with the DVD player and adjusting the wireless headphones she found in the back seats. As for me, I'm still reading the owner's manual and trying to figure out what all these buttons are for. The donors of the vehicle I just received have asked to remain anonymous but I will always remember their amazing generosity. Having a reliable vehicle will go a long way in my advocacy.
If my gift givers are reading this, thank you. You're gift means more than you realize.
Follow Carey Fuller on Twitter: www.twitter.com/careyfuller
Homeless Assistance/U.S. Department of Housing and Urban ...
Just because it seems like Wonder Bread don't mean it's Wonder Bread when the truth comes out a lot of BS will be exposed .
Stay Tuned.................................................
I love what they said in their letter to you- about the van being a gift and as such you could use it/ sell it as you please- shows they understand the meaning of a gift, something lots of people should remember more often.
And not that it matters, but I'm happy you decided to keep it- I'm sure you'll do a lot of good with it, and it's nice that you and the girls have a bit of comfort while you continue to work through this terrible economy and all the difficulties of getting out of homelessness.
I have read nothing about you working on getting housing for your family and lets face it the new van is now an asset that may be held against you when trying to qualify for any other assistance-Enjoy your new ride.
1st, everyone has smart phones these days - everyone!
2nd, and more important, have you seen Carey's post where she video taped trying to get into a shelter? Here is that post http://careyfuller.com/blog/2011/07/calling-for-help/ How about her post trying to find childcare to go to a job interview? http://careyfuller.com/blog/2011/07/child-care-blues/
Since your account was just created & this is your only comment, just like the other account that Huff removed for violation, it seems you have something against Carey and are intentionally trying to cause harm.
I work in homeless services and we never take the quality of a persons vehicle and hold it against them. Often, we get women fleeing domestic violence that have high-end cars.
Clearly, you have an agenda here and it's very sad you would slam a homeless mom doing the best she can to help her family and other
A phone and internet are one of the most necessary tools any of us can have- including, if not especially, people who are homeless. To find work, connect with help, keep in touch with kids, family, friends, the homeless kid's Carey is always helping… Not to mention the fact that a phone costs a heck of a lot less than rent.
Also, I've never, ever, heard of a new-used-van disqualifying anyone from getting 'other assistance', perhaps you can explain? Or maybe you were just trying to ruin the moment for her..
Susie in Cleveland
your agenda is?
wow... sometimes u hear good news and dicks like pokeface wanna piss on your chips...
btw: Only reason i am commenting is to engage poker up the hoop and their... quite frankly......
problems
lest said soonest mended
This story warmed my heart and I am very happy for you and your daughters.
It's my hope you will gain enough from the sale of the old van to find affordable housing somewhere and hopefully a part-time job that will sustain you and the girls.
OK let's do the math. Carey has a very limited income because she is HOMELESS without a job! She actually lives in a van. Having money for tags and registration is irreverent to the quality of the vehicle she drives, or in this case lives in.
What's important is the money that she will save because she now has a reliable car. She will also save on gas, and I would bet it's a whole lot more comfortable to sleep in compared to the junker they had. Clearly you're not saying a homeless mom should suffer more and should not receive nice gifts?!! Besides being illogical that thinking is heartless!
But here is the real exciting part. If you follow Carey, she gives her all to helping the homeless youth in the area. Carey has become a mother figure to them. She helps them with needs like tents and sleeping bags, and drives them to run errands like going to doctor appointments. She has arranged a weekly meeting at a local coffee shop with the community to help these kids. She also helps all the homeless people in Kent. That sure does not sound like someone who is materialistic, but someone who cares about other people and gives what she can to help them. This van will help Carey help the homeless people in Kent. That's amazing and you should be excited and happy for her.