• Michael Baldelli

Roadside Miracle: A Mission Fueled by Kindness

CLEARWATER, FL (October 16, 2024) Captain Dustin Fitch, from The Salvation Army in Columbus, Ohio, set out on an important mission to support The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) in Georgia. His journey began in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was tasked with hauling a bathroom trailer to Atlanta for their EDS team. From there, he was to continue to Florida to serve as the Logistics Chief for The Emergency Disaster Services team in Clearwater.

 

As he traveled down I-75 near Knoxville, Tennessee, Captain Dustin looked in his side-view mirror where he noticed a line carved in the pavement from a blowout on the passenger rear tire of the trailer. Faced with this challenge, Captain Fitch quickly pulled off to the side of the road, assessing the situation.

 

Without the right AAA coverage to handle a trailer repair, Captain Fitch's options seemed limited. But then a compassionate voice on the other end of the AAA call changed everything. A young lady working from Detroit spoke to her boss and called him back with good news: they would tow the trailer to the nearest tire shop free of charge. All Captain Fitch needed to do was find a suitable tire.

 

That’s when he discovered Jr’s New and Used Tires in LaFollette, Tennessee. The team at Jr’s not only quickly located the tires but went above and beyond when they learned about The Salvation Army's mission. They were fascinated by the unique bathroom trailer and eager to support the cause. The real surprise came when Captain Fitch asked for the bill—he was told there wasn’t one.

 

The shop owner, a pastor who deeply values helping others, insisted on providing the service for free. For Captain Fitch, this moment was a powerful reminder of the goodness of people and the spirit of community. "It looks like the Kingdom of God," he reflected. "It looks like people helping other people that they don't know. They may never meet the lives we're going to touch, but their generosity is already making an impact."

 

The kindness of the Jr’s Tire team not only got Captain Fitch back on the road but also filled his heart with encouragement. As he continued on his journey to support those impacted by the recent hurricanes, he carried with him the prayers and well-wishes of strangers who made a difference. “It was just a blessing to see them willing to do that for us. They were so excited about being able to help out and wished me good luck and said they'd be praying for me.”

 

This is the spirit of The Salvation Army’s work: people coming together to lift up those in need, even when they may never meet the lives they touch.