Last Sunday's local paper (the Raleigh News and Observer) had this write up about this laid-off truck driver who has 3 kids. There was a picture of him raking leaves. Apparently, he's been doing yard work for money. The article mentioned that he wants to start his own landscaping company but does not have the capital to buy equipment.

So I emailed the writer of the article and said that I own a small engine repair shop and can probably donate some equipment to get this guy started. Well, she passed my message along and he called me back. I asked basic profiling questions to make sure he isn't scamming. He sounded legit so I decided to help him out.

I am giving him an Echo backpack blower so he can start blowing leaves for money. I threw in an Echo weedwacker as well. I told him he could probably charge $50 per job.

He was at a loss for words. He said he never thought someone would do something like this based on an newspaper write up.

It feels good to help a guy out. Instead of donating money to him so he can buy food for a day, I just gave him the means to feed himself!

Being in the small engine biz, people are always donating dead machines to me anyway. I currently have 5 backpack blowers, a few powerwashers, a few generators, etc anyway so donating a blower is no big deal. But it is a big deal for this guy! I told him that if his little biz takes off, in the spring, I would sell him a riding mower for cheap so he can really go into business full time.

We'll see where this road leads! He is coming over today to pick up the stuff.

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Ben
1987 190d 2.5Turbo

^Let me get this straight. A guy is out of work and you give him the tools to give blow jobs bush whacking.

I see................

Just joking. Kudos for being charitable. Keep up the great work!

That's good.

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$60 OM617 Blank Exhaust Flanges
$110 OM606 Blank Exhaust Flanges
No merc at the moment

Good for you.

Maybe one day he'll be able to pay it forward it, as well.

It's all about good karma.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Good on you.

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Behind every great man is a great woman. Behind every great woman is a great behind.

Good for you, Ben!

Hopefully things turn around for him (and he gets properly insured ).

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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)

You can't fish with a backpack blower! And weedeaters are illegal for use as fishing tackle in many areas... I hardly thinks this counts as good fishing advice.

MV

Well done sir.

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1961 220b: first project car - sold.
2000 CLK 430: first modern Benz - sold.
2001 CLK 55: OMG the torque!!! - sold
1972 280SE 4.5: Baby Gustav
1991 300TE 4Matic: Gretel the Snow Bunny - sold
1978 300SD: Katz the Free Man - given away
1980 Redhead: Darling Wife

I bet you have a life time customer!I don't know about up there but in Florida you can make a good living doing the mow blow and go. Biggest problem I see is most don't know how to budget and buy new trucks and new equiptment and forget grass slows in the winter and end up losing it all. But you have put him on the right path and hopefully he will learn to save for the lean times since he is in them now

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Moss Gate Bed & Breakfast
1985 300 TD GG done in by a red light runner
1984 300 CD Sold
2008 Titian
2000 Cadillac SLS
1966 FLH Sold
2003 Harley Ultra

For all the 'I built that' out there the truth lies in the fact that everyone stands on the shoulders of someone else.

I helped a guy out with a small delivery business many years ago when he was dead broke. After he got on his feet he asked if I could produce a commercial for the local cable net. One thing just led to another.

It has to start somewhere. This guy could someday be your biggest customer.

Excellent spirit of giving!

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Best story I've heard in a while. Thank you!

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You're a daisy if you do.
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84 Euro 240D 4spd. 220.5k sold
04 Honda Element AWD
1985 F150 XLT 4x4, 351W with 270k miles, hay hauler
1997 Suzuki Sidekick 4x4
1993 Toyota 4wd Pickup 226K and counting