Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 8, 1994 TAG: 9409080058
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By ROBERT FREIS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PRICES FORK LENGTH: Medium
Only two weeks ago, Price, disabled by a degenerative muscular disease, was wondering how to come up with $1,000 so he could buy a motorized wheelchair lift for his van.
Last time he bought a handicapped-equipped van, Price diligently paid the bill by holding yard sales. But that effort took seven years, and this time, he only had weeks to raise the money.
On his measly monthly relief check, it seemed impossible. Price, undaunted, vowed, "I'll get it - eventually."
"Eventually" came much sooner than he ever imagined. After the Roanoke Times & World-News ran a story about Price's dilemma and a fund-raising campaign was organized by his church, local donors made sure that he'll ride again.
About 80 people mailed checks to the Fairview Community Church - $680 worth on the day after the article was printed.
Several days later, WPSK radio took up Price's cause and organized a live Saturday broadcast from Hardee's, which generated about $1,200.
All told, the fund drive raised slightly more than $4,000 for Sam Price. The new lift was installed Tuesday, his 1978 van got some needed repair work, and all he can do is shake his head and say, "It's wonderful. It's amazing. You run out of things to say."
The money left over will likely cover about $900 he owes in burial expenses for his wife, who died last winter after a lengthy illness. His van broke down at about the same time.
A number of donors said they liked Price's attitude about raising the money, which showed not a trace of self-pity.
As he said, "There's handicapped people out there in worse shape than I am."
"People told me they wanted to help a guy who wanted to help himself," said Jimmie Lee Price, Sam Price's minister and cousin.
Hardship has been something of a life companion to Sam Price, 56, who lost his father in a 1946 coal mine explosion and began to lose his health about 20 years ago.
But he never lost faith, and kept on the sunny side, with help from his kinfolk and friends. "I'm not one to complain much," he said.
Wednesday, he was relieved that he didn't have to scrounge for items for his yard sales, which only generated $200 or so at a time. "It just takes so long."
That's no longer a concern. "I'm just as happy as a lark. It works slick as a whistle," he said of his new lift.
"He's just thrilled," said Jimmie Lee Price. "Nothing like this has ever happened to him. All his dreams came true. He looks like a kid."
"It makes it a lot easier for us," said Sam Price's daughter, Terry Simpkins, of her father's regained independence.
Gratefully, Sam Price bought 110 thank-you cards and just as many stamps, so all the nonanonymous donors can plan on hearing from him - personally.
Meanwhile, he'll be driving to church, and to the woods when hunting season arrives. He says to give him a honk if you see his yellow and brown Chevy van on the road.
"This neighbor-to-neighbor thing can really work," said Jimmie Lee Price. "Having a heart is still in vogue."
Staff writer Rick Lindquist contributed information to this story.
by CNB