OMG! I am so choked up right now. I went to look up her story to email it to Ophrah, and look what I found! What a wonderful world we live in!

Sad story has happy ending
Offers to help woman, her son pour in after plight publicized

By ROGER W. HOSKINS
BEE STAFF WRITER

Last Updated: December 1, 2004, 05:19:27 AM PST

Colleen Joyce will have a little help from her friends near and far in making life's lemonade a little sweeter.
Help is coming from scores of people who read Tuesday's story in The Bee of the 32-year-old single mom, a stroke victim on welfare who was down to her last dollar after her car was stolen on Nov. 19.

A car thief, or thieves, drove off with the 1987 Chevrolet Celebrity that she had parked in her driveway, leaving the keys in it by accident.

The car "was junk," she said, but it was the only transportation she had for herself and 4-year-old son, Jack, who has Down syndrome and who now, suddenly, didn't even have a car seat.

Joyce's story touched Bee readers from all over the valley, the country, and even Canada.

A typical response came from Claude Giles, a 78-year-old veteran of three wars who lives just outside Columbia. "I have sleep apnea and a pacemaker but I've been blessed," he said. "To read about all her bad luck and she still wants to be independent. I just want to help some way."

David Thompson, a 9-year-old from Modesto, was among hundreds who contacted The Bee wanting to know how they could help. Thompson said he thought it was sad that someone would steal Joyce's car.

Among the pledges were 12 offers of cars.

Joyce was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support.

"Don't tell me any more," she said, choking up as she learned of one promise of assistance after another. "I'm a tough guy. I'm not supposed to cry."

Support from all quarters

Some people who wanted to donate were on welfare themselves. They offered money or to be a taxi service for Joyce and her son.

Parents of disabled children, educators and doctors and nurses all called with pledges. They were from Modesto, Manteca, Ceres, Sonora, Turlock, Manteca and Oakdale.

Internet readers contacted The Bee from Alabama, Florida, Kansas, Michigan, New Jersey and Oregon.

Two banks called offering to set up trust funds. Workers at Washington Mutual's Vintage Faire branch called after raising $200 to challenge other branches to match their effort.

Four pledges of cars came from local dealers and three from retirees. None of the dealers would comment or allow themselves to be identified.

At Fireside Dodge, employees and customers started a Christmas fund for the Joyces. By 4 p.m. Tuesday, they had raised $2,500.

Joyce chose a 2000 Impala because its size made it the best match.

All she could say was "we live in a wonderful community." And she wept. In fact, she said she's crying every time the phone rings because it's always good news.

Gould Medical Foundation is planning on taking Joyce and her son on a shopping spree at Target.

A couple of single moms also pledged a new car seat. Others came forward willing to pay to extend her rental car. A 49ers fan offered to auction autographed memorabilia to help raise funds.

Many were like Monty Kelly and Joe Leo, who said they just "wanted to make her lemonade a little sweeter."

Radio station B93 (93.1 FM) also planned to feature Joyce's story at 8 a.m. today on the "Morning Show" with Tammy Cruz and Angie Good.

Meanwhile, Advancing Vibrant Communities, a Modesto-based ministry involved in many social and charitable efforts, has offered to coordinate the help that is pouring in for Joyce.

"It's what we do," said president Mike Douglas, also a pastor who once served at Big Valley Grace Community Church.

If there is a surplus of funds, Joyce promised she would do whatever she could to help others. If there is enough, she would start a foundation to help families with disabled parents or children find reliable transportation.

And as soon as she has her own car, Joyce said, she will be volunteering to give rides to other disabled people.

Joyce said all she really wanted when she talked to a reporter was to get her old car back. "It was my grandma's, and it ran good."

As people's generosity continues to overwhelm her, she had one concern. "I won't have to write a thank-you note to the dummies who stole my car, will I?"

To donate to Colleen Joyce, make checks payable to AVC and put "for Colleen Joyce" on the memo line. Funds should be taken or addressed to: 422-B Coffee Road, Modesto, 95355-4916. For more information, check www.vibrantcommunities.org. You can contact AVC at 544-9571 or by e-mail at [email protected].

Staff writer Roger W. Hoskins can be reached at 578-2311 or by e-mail at [email protected].