The Car Ride from Hell (and Helping People)

By: Mary Bidgood and Eli Kaynor

      “Yes, this is Eli Kaynor at the Mayor’s Office in Melrose , and we are putting together an Emergency Fund Reference Guide for those who use our Emergency Fund, and we were just wondering if you could give us an overview of your services.”

     That was what we had to say to people as we called countless pantries, food banks, and other assistance services. We have been strenuously working since day one to put together an Emergency Fund Reference Guide to help the needy people in our community to find the help they need, whether it be free gasoline, cheap health insurance, or even food.

     On the noon of August 1, we were sent on a mission to contact one Sarah Israel at the American Red Cross in our city. 

     The drive there did not help the situation, seeing as how Bridget’s car lacked the proper air conditioning services. It was also rather hilarious how Bridget did not seem to be able to dodge the fleeing squirrels, and the occasional elderly man, as they ran for their lives between the tires. One thing Bridget did not like very much was that we kept opening the passenger doors while the car was in motion. We were very close to hitting a parked car a few times, which made it all the better. But in all fairness, that was simply the only possible way to gain a little fresh air in that stiflingly hot motor vehicle.

     Finally, as we fell out of the car on arrival to the American Red Cross, we stepped into the office of Ms. Sarah Israel and prepared to give our speech. When we finally met the mystery woman, we learned that she was not a very nice woman. Since the moment we began our speech, she would cut in every five seconds and correct us. When we had successfully hacked our through the presentation, Sarah had nothing to say except: “Do you guys have any idea what you are talking about?” Mary and I were rather traumatized and left the office speechless. Neither of us had ever been shut down like that before. When we left Sarah Israel’s office, Eli could not help but, ‘accidentally’, knock down a valuable vase. As much as we regretted the incident, Eli just could not help himself.

     Getting into the car, after praying for our lives to be extended just until we leave the car, we told Bridget of our adventure and our affairs with Ms. Sarah Israel.

  Well maybe it went a little differently...

After arriving at the American Red Cross, Sarah Israel hospitably welcomed our presence and had a very pleasant meeting with us continuously praising our ideas and helping to create an even better work strategy for the two of us. She was extremely kind and shared with us some of her own ideas and information to help create and even better self-help guide. The meeting was a great success and made us all feel great about ourselves.

(Note: Although we did not break any vases, or run into any rude persons, Mary and I still had to live through a car ride from hell. Also, we made sure to trick Bridget into believing our amazing story of the broken vase for a good long while.)