In early August, FPGD accepted a new family into our program – Rita, a single mother, and her seven children ranging in age from 4 months to 11 years old. Just a few weeks before coming to FPGD, Rita’s only vehicle, a minivan with nearly 200,000 miles, broke down. After the FPGD mechanic determined the van would need a transmission replacement, it was decided the repair cost would be more than the van’s worth. Rita was devastated and concerned – the van was her only transportation to and from daycare and her job.
FPGD Executive Director Jim Cain decided desperate times call for desperate measures – he took to social media to post a plea for help. Did anyone have a reliable van to donate?
Within days, the post was shared more than 70 times! After a few weeks, Jim received the call he’d hoped for – there was a possible van donation!
Sandi and Mike Eversmeyer live in Muscatine, Iowa. Their daughter and her husband had recently relocated to Muscatine from Des Moines where they were members of Westminster Presbyterian Church. The couple saw the Facebook message shared by their former congregation, and Sandi’s daughter called her to inquire about the 2008 Town and Country minivan that mostly sat unused since the Eversmeyers' youngest child had graduated from UNI in May and the need for the vehicle had diminished.
“We felt it was a ‘God sighting,’” said Sandi, explaining that the term is used when you feel like you’re experiencing God in something or someone else. “When we heard it was a mother with seven children who needed help, we felt donating the van was what we were supposed to do.”
The couple ended up driving the van from Muscatine to Des Moines (with a trip to the Iowa State Fair after the drop-off planned) and were excited for the opportunity to meet Rita and the kids.
“It was so much fun,” Sandi explained. “The kids came out with us, and of course they wanted to know what everything was. We showed them the DVD player, the heated seats – and I got to talk to Rita about the stow-and-go.” Sandi also shared with Rita the stories the van had experienced with her family, including trips to Colorado with her kids’ cross country teams and mission trips Sandi and Mike had participated in.
Sandi attributes their generosity to their faith. “I bring it back to that God sighting,” she said. “this is what we’re meant to do - we had the van, they needed the van, and we were in a position to give it.”
FPGD is always grateful to people who respond to the varying needs of the families we serve. We frequently update our
Facebook page with current needs, so please be sure to "Like" and follow us. Thank you to Sandi and Mike for serving as a wonderful example of caring for others!
