Local Man Gives a Helping Hand

Single mom Heidi Harrison, of Brookfield, was at the end of her rope when her car broke down, minutes away from her house on Saturday, Sept. 17. With two boys and a full-time job that depended on her car, she needed a miracle. She needed Bob Williams of S&S Research.

She works 40-60 hours a week in merchant services that require extensive travelling, sometimes 250 miles a week. She also has two children, ages 4 and 6. Harrison explained point blank, “I’m a single parent. I have no money.”

“I have two beautiful children,” Harrison said. “I live on my own. I take care of the boys on my own.”

When Rev. Joe Medina, a friend of the family, heard about her car problems on Facebook he went to action.

“I heard that she was struggling. I thought, hey, I know a lot of people,” said Rev. Medina, of Waukesha. He asked friend and fellow First Congregational Church of Genesee member Bob Williams for help.

Williams owns S&S Research, an accredited service, paint and collision shop.

“When I was 12 my grandma gave me a ’56 Chevy… It’s been my passion and I just kind of stuck with it,” Williams said. 

Williams showed that passion he heard about Harrison’s car troubles. He asked the vendors for help and did the labor. In the end, he replaced the clutch, repaired the right outer boot on the axel and replaced a few light bulbs. The cost of repair was around $800.

“I expected Bob [Williams] to give her a discount or something,” Medina said.

Williams surprised everyone, however, and fixed the car for the Harrisons at no charge.

“I truly find that everyone needs a break,” Williams said. “Something goes wrong and you need a break. I’m just happy to give someone a break.”

Because Harrison and Williams had never met before, Medina was eager to arrange a meeting and share the good news with her.

“I hugged him and thanked him for such an act of kindness… I mean, who does that?” Harrison said. “How do you thank someone who does that?”

Despite the construction on Highway 83, business at S&S has been growing this year due to new marketing strategies, like newsletters and promotions. They are currently celebrating their 35^th year.

“We always hear a bad rep for car mechanics but here Bob is,” Medina said. “Giving.”