I usually ignore re-runs, I get bored easily, and why would I want to spend time replaying something that's not that important anyway.
Today, however, I decided to take a short break, and turned on Oprah which was a rerun, or I guess they like to call it "previously recorded" or other rhetoric that I forget right now. But that's not the point. Right as I turned it on, Oprah's teaser for the next segment talked about Hal Colston who graduated in the same 1971 class at York High as I did.
I had a vague recollection of what the show's segment was about, I believe from the newspaper, and couldn't wait to see it since I missed the first time.
There he was, the founder of something called the Good News Garage that makes cars available to people who simply can't afford the repairs on their present cars or their own car just dies. Many of his clients, he said are single mothers, who just need a helping hand.
There was a testimonial or two from people he had already helped, and a donation was made to the program. Talk about a kick to the "uplift zone!" Imagine the lives he has changed, and given hope where there might not have been any.
I remember Hal, or Harold as quiet, extremely intelligent, and seemed to have goals. In fact, he was one of the brightest in our class, and went onto use all those brains and talent to help other people. He didn't appear to be rolling in dough, just rolling in care for others.
He is just one big, fine, example of one who overcame all the turmoil in our school at that time, and went on to make a positive mark on the world. And let's face it, he got to meet Oprah, and she expressed her admiration of him. I'd say that's a pretty good day's work, and York can be exremely proud of someone whose roots started here, and grew into a fantastic plant.
I just had to add my 2 cents to this one.
This guy should've been written up in the newspaper - he IS a real hero. I know someone he helped - and, yes, she was a single mom with little money. It's people like your friend that help Change The World, one act of kindness after another... and they don't toot their own horns or ask for funding. They just quietly do their thing, bless 'em.
My dad was someone like that. I found out when I grew up and got out and about in our area - I'd get stories about how he helped so-and-so and he said to just pay him when they could. I'd come home and ask him about it and he'd just shrug it off like it was no big thing!