The Rev. Ed Strom and a few of his flock put the care in car care Saturday.
The Moorhead pastor and about 10 of his parishioners gathered at 7 a.m. Saturday to winterize the cars of fellow church-goers -- for free.
Huddled in a machine shop on a farm south of Moorhead, Strom's squad repaired and prepared the cars of single mothers, widows and those needing a mechanic's touch.
"I think this was a wonderful idea," Strom said Saturday. "We're helping people who need it the most.
"It's the Christian faith in action," he said.
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Members of Triumph Lutheran Brethren Church took a day a year ago to winterize about 14 cars for parishioners.
Volunteers rotated tires, changed spark plugs, oil, headlights and wiper blades and inspected batteries, blinkers, belts and hoses.
On Saturday, volunteers checked about 15 vehicles, in addition to nearly a dozen cars inspected last week.
The church's deacon board, assisted by a gift from Ward Muscatell, paid for all the winterization costs.
Organizer Darrell Hanson said it was an easy decision to revive the charitable event.
"There are lots of people in the church who don't know where to go or who can't afford to have their cars winterized," he said.
All repairs were supervised by Joe Helmer, Valley Ford's customer service manager and a former college and high school automotive teacher.
Vehicles were inspected to ensure safety and drivability this winter, Helmer said.
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Patty Sandeen called the free services a godsend.
The 69-year-old Moorhead woman's husband, Clayton, used to take care of the family car. He moved to the veterans home in Fergus Falls, Minn., three years ago.
Sandeen handed over her 1997 Buick Park Avenue on Saturday to have the car's oil changed and its tires rotated.
"I really appreciate what they did," she said. "It's wonderful for us who don't have our men handy anymore."
Plus, Sandeen said, the event creates a bond among people at Triumph Lutheran.
"It definitely builds relationships with other people in the congregation," said Dave Karlstrom, who hosted the car care seminar at his farm.
"Everybody who showed up today either likes working on cars or likes helping people," he said. "So we all have something in common."
Readers can reach Forum reporter Cole Short at (701) 241-5557
