Published: August 10, 2008 12:11 am      

Divine discount

Cars line up for church’s gas donations

RUSSELL — The lines of vehicles waiting to get to the pumps at the Clark Marathon station on Diederich Boulevard Saturday were reminiscent of the worst days of the 1970s fuel shortages.

But the smiling faces weren’t.

Instead of angry drivers frowning in frustration, appreciative motorists waited patiently for a chance to get tankfuls of discount gas courtesy of an area church.

“We’ve had only pleasant people. Everyone has been super friendly,” said Dana Goodwin, a member of First Baptist Church of Russell.

Goodwin and other church members spent much of the day pumping gas to all comers at a 50-cent discount from current prices.

The cheap gas was a no-strings-attached goodwill gesture from the church to the community, in hopes of easing, if only momentarily, the financial burden on cash-strapped families.

“You can’t beat Christian people,” said Freda Adams of Wurtland. “I think this is tremendous.”

“It’s a blessing from God. The world needs more of this,” said Garnet Elswick of Catlettsburg, waiting in her car while church members filled her tank and cleaned her windshield.

Which was another throwback to an earlier era — the station was an island of full service in a self-service world. Church members swarmed over cars with squeegees and soapy water, wiping away dust and grime.

It wasn’t a fundraiser and there weren’t any catches; the church wasn’t accepting tips or other remuneration.

“What’s in it for me? Nothing,” said Molly Tarr, a member of the church. “We just want to help out other people because money is tight and people deserve a break.”

“It’s just a big picker-upper,” said Paul Johnson of Ashland, waiting for his gas. “People are down because of economic hardships. This says that things will be OK.”

Also, bringing the church to the community was a good way to encourage fellowship and spread the Christian message, members said.

MIKE JAMES can be reached at mjames@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2652.