Make Your Week: Officers help family with Christmas gifts, man donates cars to others

Make Your Week: Officers help family with Christmas gifts, man donates cars to others

(West Jordan Police Department)


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SALT LAKE CITY — Christmas often brings out the best in people as they look for ways to serve others and try to spread the joy of the season.

We at KSL.com hope that you and your family have a wonderful holiday season and that you have been able to see kindness and good in your life recently.

The KSL.com “Make Your Week” column features uplifting stories sent in from people outside the newsroom. To send in the stories that have made your day better, email them in 100 words or less to fjolley@ksl.com. Photos and videos are encouraged.

Officers helping with Christmas

West Jordan police

“West Jordan Police Department officers recently met this mother who has young children and recently became homeless. She is working and trying to provide for her small family. Our school resource sergeant and a few of her school resource officers jumped into action and shopped for clothing and some other basic needs. Additionally, the school district provided two boxes of food, a turkey and hygiene bags. Yesterday afternoon, the items were handed off to the mother. Our best wishes to this struggling mother this holiday season. We are glad we were in a position where we could help a little.”

Car mechanic angel

Anonymous

“If you remember the woman, whose husband died in a paramedic plane crash last Nov., she has three kids and needed a van. Jason not only organized the Chili’s event to help her get some funds, but he bought, fixed up, and gave her a Honda Odyssey full of presents— even delivered it with Santa. Then in June, Jason gave Santa (who goes by Mike in the summer) a car because he is on a fixed income and could not afford a car. Then just last week, Jason and Santa gave away a car to a new pastor in Tremonton whose car broke down and who just had a baby girl.

“Jason continues to fix up cars with very little donations, using his own time and tearing out engines and replacing tires and everything he can in order to provide quality cars, and he just gives them away when he could sell them for thousands. I'm proud of him.”

Pitching in for a co-worker

Ben V.

“I work at a local company in St. George. We have an employee that is 31 years old. He is such a good guy. Both of his parents died a few years ago and he has no siblings. He is in the middle of a divorce and has one child that is 5 years old. He waits tables during the day and works as a janitor for Dixie State University at night. They only have one car and his wife is taking it. He rides the bus everywhere he goes. He takes his son with him on the bus.

Photo credit: Ben V.
Photo credit: Ben V.

“I am the general manager at the company and one of our employees said ‘Let’s chip in and buy him a car.’ We raised over $2,500. It has been such a feel-good story. The little dish guys and night cooks that make minimum wage have donated $50 to $100 each. So much Christmas spirit and so much love for this kid. We are giving it him today. … Just thought I would send you some good news. There are a lot of good things going on right now.”

Children helping those in need

Chasity G.

“I have a 5-year-old daughter who goes above and beyond caring. This is her second year collecting donations and making lunches for the less fortunate. It's truly a heart-warming story.”

Fundraising for charity

Jessica W.

“Diamondback Giveback is a 13-year tradition at Fort Herriman Middle School. Each year, this amazing group of students raised over $10,000 in 10 days to support local charities and families with Christmas. Additionally, we do a food drive for the Utah Food Bank. Last year, the students donated over 18,000 pounds of food. … This year our goal is $18,000 and 18,000 pounds of food. It is truly amazing what these middle school kids can do.”

Teddy bears at the hospitals

Colleen B.

“Tomorrow morning, the Salt Lake City Sheriff's Office is delivering teddy bears to Primary Children's Hospital, Shriners Hospital and Ronald McDonald House. This is a result of one young man and his employer wanting those children who are ill to wake up Christmas morning with a teddy bear on their bed. … Community support was overwhelming.”

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