Nov 1

Nov 1 Compassion Inspiring Action surprises couple with accessible van donation

{Brooke Maners/Davidson Local}

CIA, Compassion Inspiring Action, a nonprofit organization, helped surprise a local couple with a wheelchair-accessible van early Saturday morning.

Robert Miller and Jimmy Davis, co-founders of CIA, put together a plan to surprise Ruth and Mike Carr of Lexington with a much needed, fully-equipped, wheelchair-accessible van. They explained the van was previously donated to their organization last year by local citizen and active group member, Shirley Holt.

Miller offered, “The van was donated about a year ago. At the time, we had no idea who it would end up going to. About six months ago, Ruth had posted on Facebook that she was trying to save money for a van. At that time, we were still trying to get the donated van fixed up. But, Ruth has always been good to help the CIA group, and it doesn't take long to see, she is a very good wife to her husband, Mike, and she does a wonderful job taking care of him. Jimmy and I decided, there isn’t a better person than her to donate the van to.”

Holt, the previous van owner, shared, “A local businessman wanted to help my family. He knew my son, who was just three years old at the time, had spina bifida. He knew we only had a car, and we were having to pack his wheelchair back and forth.” The man sent her family to a dealership in High Point and told them to pick out whatever they needed and he unexpectedly took care of the full expense. Emotionally, Holt continued, “That van was a blessing to us; it was a godsend. I always knew that when our family was finished with it, that it needed to go to someone else.” Holt’s son is now 23, and with the help of hand controls, he has the ability to drive his own vehicle. Holt added, “He no longer wants mom sporting him around, so I knew it was time to donate the van. I had looked around at all kinds of places to donate. Someone informed me about CIA, and what these guys do, so I reached out to them. I’m so glad the van is still usable for someone.”

*Compassion Inspiring Action along with Mike & Ruth Carr. {Brooke Maners/Davidson Local}*

Miller, Davis and Holt met for breakfast at “Gregg’s Kitchen” Saturday in Welcome. There, Davidson Local caught up with the group before surprising the Carrs. Davidson Local, along with Holt (who had never met the Carrs), arrived at the Carr home first to create a diversion. A Davidson Local reporter informed the Carrs as to interviewing local citizens who were affiliated with Compassion Inspiring Action to do a story for the organization's anniversary. The Carrs were asked if Ruth would be willing to share her story.

Ruth Carr, sitting next to husband Mike, who is primarily confined to his hospital bed in their living room, shared that her husband's health had declined after suffering multiple strokes last July. She explained the hospital wanted to put him in a nursing home, but Ruth didn’t want that to happen. “I just started praying, please God, don’t let a nursing home take him, because he wasn’t mentally ready for that. He needed to be home with his dogs, me and his surroundings.” She explained how she posted on Facebook from the hospital, that she needed a handicapped ramp for their home so Mike could come home. Robert and Jimmy messaged Ruth and said, “Hey, we got you.”

At that exact moment, Ruth looked up in a bit of confusion, and said, “Oh, someone else is here.” She got up and went to her window and exclaimed with a smile, “That’s Robert and Jimmy!” She opened her door, where Miller and Davis greeted her and took her by the hand and escorted her outside. Davis said, “I heard you needed a wheelchair-accessible van. Well, now you’ve got one.” Ruth began to sob as Davis and Miller hugged her and admitted the whole interview was a setup. Ruth, still sobbing into her hands, exclaimed, “Oh my gosh, you don't know what this is going to do for us. You don't know how hard it is to load Mike into the car, carry him and his lift to doctors’ appointments. It’s all so heavy!”

Miller, Davis and Holt collectively showed Carr the van and demonstrated how to use the controls. Then they all returned inside to share the news with Mike. Ruth told Mike, “Honey, you know what they did? They brought us a handicap van! We have a way to go to the doctor now! We don’t have to put your heavy lift in the car or take the handicap bus anymore. I can just push him right out, right in and right up!”

Mandy Kiser, local Farm Bureau Insurance agent, who is also running for Davidson County Commissioner, has helped CIA many times in the past. She offered to come out to the Carr’s home where she notarized the van free of charge for the family.

CIA’s mission statement, found on Facebook, is as follows: “Never look down on anyone unless you are reaching down to pick them up.”

Follow CIA on Facebook to find out how to get involved and stay informed on upcoming events. Currently planned, the group, along with others, will host a free walk up or drive thru Thanksgiving Day meals-to-go event in the parking lot of Carolina Senior Care in Lexington from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m.

The nonprofit organization depends on monetary donations to fulfill its mission of helping those in need. If you would like to donate, the following options are available:

-PayPal: compassioninspiringaction@gmail.com

-Cash App: $compassioninc

-Send check/money order: 177 Dorsett Rd. Lexington, NC 27292