Dear Editor:

I wanted to relay the details of our shopping trip to Gaffney last Friday afternoon/evening.

We drove down and spent a couple of hours shopping the outlets. Afterwards, we went into The Cracker Barrel for dinner.

At around 8 p.m. we proceeded to our car to find we had a dead battery. I contacted AAA for assistance which brought only an offer of tow service as they had no battery for our car.

I went back into the restaurant, seeking assistance from the girls behind the counter. One was nice enough to get me the number for the Auto Zone. One even offered to go to the Auto Zone after her shift ended at 9 and bring the battery back to us. One gentleman came out of the kitchen to offer help with our car. During this time, I had called Auto Zone and the lady there offered to bring us a battery after the store closed at 9. In the meantime another gentleman in a large white truck was attempting unsuccessfully to jump-start our car from his vehicle. He finally left us with the agreement that we would wait for AAA.

Then another gentleman, who I understand lives in Blacksburg, came out of the restaurant and offered help. He told us he would return in 20 minutes from his home with another set of cables and would definitely start our car. Of course we felt we would never see him again. While waiting for AAA, 20 minutes later this gentleman did, in fact, drive up. He connected the cables to our car and successfully started our car. He absolutely refused payment and only waved cordially as he drove away, leading us to the exit for Wal-mart where we could purchase a battery.

It was pouring rain this entire time...we were driving up I-85 to Exit 92 when the interior and exterior lights went dark. That only added to our frustrations, but then we drove into Wal-mart only to find that the auto center had closed. I went inside while my husband stayed with the vehicle and I was certain I must have looked like a drowned rat.

Anyway, the one girl in the auto department was kind enough to not only sell me a battery, but to offer her services to install it for us. At the same time, this precious young couple was there getting keys made. The young man overheard our conversation and jumped right in, offering his services as well as the use of his tools, which he had in his truck. He followed me out to our car, again in the pouring rain, and assisted my husband in changing out our battery for the new one and put us happily on our way home.

I do hope I haven't left anyone out of this story. I only wish I knew the names of all those involved, but I am sure you will recognize yourselves if you read my story.

My point is to hopefully make it known how very proud you all should be of your local residents. We counted nine offers of help during this entire episode and were just totally amazed at how kind everyone was to us. I am certain I could have shortened this story, but somehow that would lose the meaning.

Many, many thanks to all of you who assisted us. Sincerely, Mrs. John C. Walker Jr. Gastonia, N.C.