THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 26, 1997 TAG: 9701240221
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAM STARR, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 46 lines
It was so cold last Saturday that the wind-chill factor dipped below zero, the smell of snow was in the air and people broke out their heavy parkas and ski masks.
That didn't deter 14 older adults from the Silver Hill retirement complex from enjoying their scheduled outing to a morning matinee at Columbus Theaters and an early lunch at Red Lobster.
But Mother Nature came-a-calling as soon as they got back on Route 44 near the Independence Boulevard exit. The complex's white minibus, which seats 18, died. It stopped in the right-hand lane, with traffic whizzing past it at breakneck speeds. Madeline Nevala, the activity director, said that when the bus died, so did the only source of heat.
``I'm never cold but I was cold on that bus,'' she said. ``I don't know how those people survive who are stranded for days without food or water.''
Fifteen minutes into their ordeal, the State Police Motorist Assistance car came by and set up flares. The 14 huddled together for more than an hour and a half, shivering and shaking to stay warm, while the men tried to get the bus started.
Finally, at Nevala's urging, the Motorist Assistance worker phoned Tidewater Regional Transit and asked for a bus to transport the seniors home and then called a tow truck operator.
Within minutes their plea was answered. TRT dispatch supervisor Leonard Sampson drove out to the icy group and helped them board his heated bus. One woman had gotten so cold that her feet were numb, and she fell while trying to leave the minibus.
``Mr. Sampson was so nice, he even helped calm her down,'' Nevala said. ``When TRT came, everybody cheered.''
The best part was yet to come. When they arrived at Silver Hill, Nevala asked Sampson how much they owed him, figuring they would have to pay $100. Instead, TRT charged the group nothing, and Sampson wouldn't take a generous tip.
Nevala was so touched that she wrote a two-page letter to TRT commending the company and its personnel. ``I want everyone to know how nice TRT was,'' she said. ``They didn't have to come out there.''
Sampson, a 28-year employee of TRT, shrugged off the compliments. ``That's my job,'' he said, explaining why he wouldn't take any money. ``It made me feel good that I could help some senior citizens. I know they were glad to get home; they were very cold. It was just a real pleasure to help them.''