Archive: Around Town

Lansing has not escaped the struggling economy.  This week a school board member remarked that she was shocked when she learned how many Lansing families are in dire need.  On Tuesday one such family received an early Christmas present: a Mercury Villager.

Lansing High School Principal Eric Hartz says the family has been especially struggling because cancer struck two family members over the past year.  The husband is battling cancer this year, and the son had cancer last year.  On top of that the family car was failing.

Dave Button examined the car at no charge.  Button is a Lansing resident who owns A.J. Foreign Auto, an auto maintenance and repair business.  The news was bad -- there was too much wrong with the vehicle to make it worth repairing.  Ridge Road Imports owner Ray Tuhro, also a Lansing resident, heard the story.


Tuhro decided to donate a 2000 Villager in good working order, outfitting it with a new battery, tires, and rear struts on it.  He had the car inspected, and presented it to the family Tuesday afternoon.

"Ray and Dave were amazing," says Hartz.  "These are two really busy guys with businesses.  We all know how the economy is nowadays.  They took time out of their day to help donate back to a family.  I can't tell you what it means to see that.  This community has been so good with fundraisers, supporting kids, supporting families in need."

"For some people it's a giving time of year.  For some people it's a tough time of year," Hartz says.  "But for one family really giving people and their businesses came through.  I thought that was amazing.  And local Lansing people have done it all.  Kudos to Dave and Ray for sticking up for people in need and helping out."

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