It Was Hot Blue!

Details: 16 December 2011

Vehicle donations to Catholic Social Services are very important. When a generous soul donates a car, truck or van, we either give it to a needy individual or family, place it into our fleet so we can take clients to doctor appointments etc, pick up bread and smaller items, or they are sold and the profits used to fund our many important programs.

A number of years ago some generous patron donated a white F-150 Ford pickup truck to CSS. She isn’t the prettiest truck on the road, but she comes in handy when we need to pick up or deliver smaller items, or when our bigger box trucks are tied up. Old Father even uses it from time to time when needed. Although the cosmetic defects were of no concern, the tailgate was broken. This made it difficult to use and gave us something to "offer up."

Not long after adding this to our fleet, a homeless man from out of town showed up. "Father, I need your help!"

Since it was so long ago, I cannot remember exactly what we did to help him (we help more than 20,000 people each year). A few days later, while struggling with the broken tailgate he said, "Father, thank you very much for helping me! What can I do to repay you? Can I fix your tailgate?" "No," I relied, "It’s OK." Despite his insistence, I declined his offer.

A few days later, I noticed a different tailgate on our white truck. The old, broken, white tailgate had been removed and was replaced with a blue tailgate - which was painted over with white paint. It was a hurried job, done with a paint brush and with a lot of blue showing. It was obvious we had a ‘hot blue tailgate’ on our hands. As for the mechanically-inclined homeless man, we never saw him again. I wonder why….

I immediately called the police and explained that a grateful client had stolen a blue tailgate, painted it over with white paint, and installed it on our old white pickup.

After some laughter, the officer informed me that no one had reported one stolen, but if he did, he would tell them where to find us. That was almost four years ago, and the truck is still in good running order, and we use it frequently.

This is not unusual – it is not uncommon that clients who receive help at Catholic Social Services often become supporters of some kind – although usually not by breaking the seventh commandment. What was unusual in this case was the manner in which he helped us.

It is true that charity is ‘infectious.’ When our loyal donors help us spiritually with their prayers, materially with donated items around the house or farm not needed, or financially with a cash donation according to their means, their love spreads. "God is love" (1 Jn 4:8, 16), and "We love, because he first loved us" (1 Jn 4:19). When we love our neighbor, it causes them to in turn love us and others in return.

As we continue our Advent journey to Christmas, remember that it was at that first Christmas we received the greatest gift of all, of God Himself into our lives as a little baby. To all of our generous donors, thank you! Please know that you are in our daily prayers!