Staying On Track: A Holiday Story from Salem

Celebrating the people who don’t make the headline news but should...

File photo courtesy: pbase.com

(SALEM, Ore.) - Every now and then we get the chance to publish a story about people who make a difference. Sometimes the circumstances are extraordinary, and the positivity can be measured. Sometimes these stories become more compelling and more interesting than any negative or tragic that we report.

This brief story from Sharon McCrary of Salem, Oregon, resembles those email threads about unrecognized heroes that sometimes circulate. The difference is that this story is from December 2010, it is a reflection of both the terrible economy in Oregon and the decency that still lives in the heart of man.
Forward by Tim King

When I rolled down my truck window three Sundays ago, the window came off the track, leaned forward, and refused to budge. It was raining and more rain was forecasted.

I drive 15 minutes to get to my part-time job, five days a week which pays minimum wage. How was I going to get my window repaired? Not knowing what else to do, I posted an ad on craigslist under items wanted.

A mother of five with her husband standing by called me and said that she thought her husband could fix it.

I went to their house at 2470 Trade Street in S. Salem. Joshua Rennels works full-time at McDonald’s and also works a part-time job to support his family of seven. In his spare time he collects pallets of wood to burn as his family’s only source of heat. It was his 36th birthday the day he spent 45 minutes fixing my window.

These are the type of people who don’t make the headline news but they are the type who shows you what should headline your life—giving to others.

Thank you Joshua! Thank you Mindi for sharing your husband’s valuable time!

Sharon McCrary says she was overwhelmed with the generosity of Joshua and his wife. In return she prepared a Christmas turkey for this couple who work so hard and at the same time are willing to give so much. They accepted the turkey but Sharon said they were very clear that it was unnecessary. Joshua clearly did not help Sharon because he expected something in return. I am very glad to relate this story to our Salem readers.