Reaching Out

Car Care and Hair Care Day a successful outreach to needy families

MOSES LAKE — Saturday afternoon was one of those rare days for single mother Mary Carey.

The usual responsibilities that come with being a parent, let alone a single mother, don't seem so overwhelming as she sits to get her hair done and her car worked on — free of charge.

Spread out across an open room inside the Moses Lake Alliance Church, other single parents and needy families like Carey's have come for the annual Car Care and Hair Care day.

It is an event MLAC began as part of their outreach program roughly eight years ago to those in the local community.

"It's such a blessing," Carey said.

Outside the church, cars are welcomed by greeters, sent in line to get their cars worked on and invited inside where they can receive a haircut, food and have the opportunity to fellowship with others.

Volunteers find out what each car needs and then a call is made to NAPA Auto Parts to get the materials for the repairs, explained MLAC associate pastor Kent Copley.

On a table inside, sandwiches and drinks sit prepared. Adjacent to the food, cartoons are being shown to small children while they wait for their parents to finish.

MLAC member Melody Jenson, one of the licensed hairstylists on hand, was instrumental in getting the event started.

Once a single mother herself, Jenson said she was very aware of the need to provide services to low-income families. "A haircut is a huge thing to put money out there for," she explained.

Copley recalled a single mother who came in earlier in the day with her three small children.

She said her boyfriend had left her and her children earlier in the week and she didn't know where else to go, Copley said.

Others like single parent Rebecca Hourie, mother of three, wait for her 1978 Dodge Aspen to get repaired.

The last time Hourie had her car looked at, it needed a new fuel line and other minor repairs that had been left unattended to.

"I don't know what I'd do, I'd be at a loss," Hourie said, if it were not for the Car Care and Hair Care Day.

By 2 p.m. Saturday, Hourie is one of many who've benefited from the event through which 48 cars were serviced and 70 haircuts were given.

As the number of visitors begins to slow by afternoon, Copley reflects on the day's work.

There were more volunteers this year, he said, many of whom at one time came for the Car Care and Hair Care Day and are now helping with the event.

"It's fun to go home at the end of the day and think, how many lives did we touch?" Jenson said.