Church keeps cars, moms up and running

An Inverness church helps single mothers by offering free oil changes, other car maintenance and fellowship.

By LISA PEEPLES

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 8, 2000

INVERNESS -- The responsibility that sometimes rests on the shoulders of a single mother can be overwhelming. In an effort to help lighten the burden, a local church has started a program to help in the area of car maintenance.

Servant Evangelism at First United Methodist Church in Inverness started a program last year, Hands In Service, or H.I.S., which offers free oil changes, light preventive car maintenance and spiritual uplifting to single mothers.

The program started out with a small list of recipients and has grown quite large. So far, H.I.S. has helped out 58 mothers and done 106 oil changes. The project volunteers, from 22 to 30 people at each event, also check brakes, transmission and washer fluids, tires, air filter, exterior lights and the battery. To top it off, they also wash and clean out the mothers' cars.

"We started this because we realized what great need there was in the area. It started by just changing the oil, but grew larger when the volunteers got under the hoods of the cars and realized there was a need to check other items," said Ginni Crandall, a project volunteer and member of the church.

"We have many mothers who don't know how to change the oil, who are totally dependent on their cars to get them everywhere they go. For these moms to pay somebody to change their oil is practically impossible," she said.

"We thought this effort would help the moms in our community with their cars, and at the same time hopefully move them a little bit closer in their relationship with the Lord," she said.

Stephen Crandall, Ginni's husband and a project volunteer, said he has enjoyed helping out at the events and witnessing the difference it has made for the mothers.

"These moms really need this. They don't have the time, money or energy to do this. This is a good thing for us to do, because we are helping people who have a definite need. . . . This really does help their cars stay in good running condition," he said.

She said the response from the mothers has been rewarding for the volunteers who help out with the scheduled events.

"The mothers are really, really appreciative. They are amazed that someone would do something like this for them for free, with no strings attached. Servant Evangelism exists to reach out to people and demonstrate to them in a real, practical way that God loves them. But just as our oil changes are free, so is God's love," she said.

Crandall said that when the mothers arrive at the church with their cars, the day has just begun. Aside from car maintenance, there's are refreshments, a playground and clowns to help entertain the kids and fellowship for the moms.

Crandall said the moms benefit from the periodic oil changes in more ways than one.

"This also shows them how important a church family is and how important the Lord is for them. It is very rewarding for us to be able to help someone in need and to also be able to witness to them and show God's love," she said.

Linda Beleck, 45, of Inverness is a single mom who participated in the H.I.S. program. She started out getting her oil changed a year ago, and now helps at the events as a volunteer. She echoed Crandall's sentiments on the importance of showing God's love to others.

"I started out with an oil change there because a friend of mine told me about it. When I went there, I had such a nice, peaceful feeling and really enjoyed talking with the other mothers. That one thing made a big difference in my daughter's life and my life . . . and now I attend church there and am able to help out at the oil changes and give something back," she said.

The next event will be Aug. 5 at the church. Any single mother who is interested may call the church for an appointment at 726-2522.

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