AURORA, Colo. People watching Denver7 make a difference – just ask the Merithew family from South Sioux City, Nebraska.
Aaron and Cheyanne Merithew drove 800 miles to Aurora last week so their 4-year-old son Landon could receive critical medical treatment for his joint pain with cerebral palsy at the Children’s Hospital.
Before returning home, thieves stole their bakkie, a 2000 Ford F-350.
The family asked Contact7 for help and after sharing their story on Denver7, a security guard who was watching saw the couple’s pickup truck behind an apartment complex in Delmar Circle 146.
He called the police and they called John’s Towing Service.
David Messmer posted on our Facebook page that he towed the pickup for a rare fate.
This is how the Merithews learned that their Ford F-350 was recovered in 2000.
“I was very happy that they found it,” Aaron Merithew said. “Then it flowed into my head – what’s missing?”
“I was shaking. I was crying. I was just as excited as you can tell,” Cheyanne said. “Landon was also very excited when he heard it this morning.”
The Merithews are amazed at the outpouring of support from people who want to help. One of them was the owner of a semi that Aaron worked on as a diesel mechanic.
“He remarked that ‘If I had to buy you a car to get around …’ and Aaron was like no, it’s not necessary,” Cheyanne said. “The next morning we woke up and he called Aaron and said, “I’m on my way to get you, I bought you a car.” And we were just like, “What? What?” Our reaction was just shock. ‘
Many others contributed cash to help pay expenses.
The Merithews said their truck needed repairs.
Cheyanne said the door lock and the ignition system were compromised.
She said Landon’s highchair is still inside, but they do not know if all the tools are.
“Landon absolutely loves this truck,” Cheyanne said. “It’s his truck. It’s literally been called Landon’s truck for a long time. I do not know if it’s the diesel engine, or the bounce or both, but we’ve never heard him laugh as much as we were on our way to Colorado. . ‘
The family is grateful that their negative experience is benefiting here.
“There’s a lot more good than there is evil,” Aaron said. “Evil just hits harder.”
But in this case, evil is overcome by a tide of good will.