Everyday Hero
Heroes come in all shapes and sizes, but they all have one thing in common: They‘re proof it takes only one person to make a difference!
There are plenty of potholes along the road to success. But one auto mechanic in Phoenix keeps single moms from getting stuck by fixing their cars—for free!
Emily Shy left her car running while she brought her three-year-old daughter, Chloe, into the daycare center. The Phoenix single mom was afraid if she turned off the engine, the car wouldn’t start up again. And she had to get to a job interview and then to the local college where she was studying accounting.
But as she drove off, steam started pouring from the hood of her Chevy Blazer—and tears fell from Emily’s eyes.
She was trying so hard to build a good life for herself and Chloe, but it felt like for every step forward, she took two backward.
Once the car cooled down, Emily made it to her interview and school. But what about tomorrow? she worried.
I don’t know what I’m going to do. My car keeps breaking down, and I just don’t have the money to fi x it, Emily lamented on Facebook that evening.
She was just venting, but a second later, a message popped up.
I think I know where you can get help, a friend wrote, telling Emily about Helping Hands for Single Moms, an organization that provides financial assistance to struggling single moms.
Hopeful, Emily called and was happily relieved when a woman told her, “Yes, we can help,” and referred her to Community Tire Pros. “The owner, Howard Fleischmann, will take good care of you,” she said.
The owner of six auto repair shops in Phoenix, Howard was grateful for his success and was always trying to find ways to pay his good fortune forward.
One of his shops is located in a food desert, where folks have to travel miles to buy fresh fruits and vegetables. Afraid many families would just opt to do without, Howard started a community garden.
Another shop is just outside a high crime area, and when Howard learned kids were taking a dicey shortcut to school, he cleaned up the span and created a well-lit safe pathway.
And the father of two grown daughters didn’t hesitate when Helping Hands asked if he’d help with car repairs for struggling single moms. “Send them over. I’ll get them up and running!”
Howard honored his word, even when repair costs exceeded the $600 stipend Helping Hands pitched in—which was often the case.
Layla Maroufkhani had just left a bad marriage with three kids and no job when her Nissan Altima conked out. Sadly, the car couldn’t be salvaged. But, says Howard, “I looked at her and saw my girls.”
He bought a used Volvo and tinkered with it until it purred like a kitten. “I can’t believe you did this!” Layla cried as he handed her the keys.
Emily’s SUV wasn’t in much better shape than Layla’s car. Howard had to replace the radiator, catalytic converter, water pump, alternator and a dozen more parts. Final tally: $6,500!
When he gave Emily the news, she burst into anguished tears. “I can’t pay for all that!”
But then Howard handed her the invoice and pointed to the amount due: $0.00.
“This is incredible . . . You’re incredible!” Emily sobbed.
Over the last six years, Howard has kept dozens of single moms on the road—paying more than $100,000 out of pocket.
“Howard’s heart is a mile wide and made of pure gold,” says Layla, who is now Program Director of Helping Hands. She’s also still driving the Volvo Howard gave her.
Emily’s Blazer is going strong, too. And Howard gave her another gift: Hearing she didn’t get the job the day her car overheated, he hired her in his business office! “Howard has changed my life— I can never thank him enough,” Emily says. But no need, insists Howard. “Being able to help these women . . . I get choked up,” he says. “I’m not just repairing their cars, I’m helping them rebuild their lives. And that is worth more than any amount of money.”
“I can't believe you bought me a car!” Layla cried Be the sun in someone’s dark sky. Matshona Dhliwayo