GRAND HAVEN, Mich. -- Barb and Tom Kanouse were prepared to part with their beloved 1997 Ford Escort Wagon when they were hit with a costly vehicle repair earlier this year. The car had been passed on to Barb from her father, who passed away 11 years ago. The trusty wagon is often used to take her kids to doctor appointments and pick up her great-granddaughter from school.
"It's a great little car," she told FOX 17 News. "I always thought of it as Dad's car, and he entrusted it to me."
For years, Barb has been entrusting the care of the vehicle to Jon Krohn, owner of Krohn's Auto Service. But a few months back she got some bad news: the car's cylinder head was busted along with other repairs that were desperately needed for the car to run. The repairs would cost the couple at least $1,200 dollars, on top of their mounting medical bills.
"[Barb] told me all about it. She was having problems with breast cancer, was going to have her breasts removed. And Tom, he had heart surgery a year or two ago," said Jon Krohn. "It was a major repair and they just didn't have the money for it at the time."
In fact, at the time, Barb was still recovering after undergoing a double mastectomy. The couple also lives on a fixed income. Unable to pay, Barb surrendered the
title to Krohn, to use the car for parts or sell for scrap.
"Something happened. I just knew this doesn't feel right," said Krohn. "When she handed me that title, basically I knew if I could, I was going fix that car for them
and give it back."
Unbeknownst to the Kanouses, Krohn fixed the car and even detailed it, free of charge.
"You know, business-wise, it's not good to do that once a month, but good people... good deserving people, they deserve a break," he explained.
Barb was blown away when Krohn pulled up in her driveway with the vehicle.
"He says here's the title. And here's the keys. It's all yours," she recalled. "And I said how much do I owe you? And he said you don't owe me nothing, Merry
Christmas."
It wasn't December, but it was the day before Barb's birthday. She'd also just been medically cleared to drive again.
"I prayed that God would bring me a car when the time got to be so I could drive again," she said. "And [Jon Krohn] was the answer to my prayers... that was amazing. You don't see that everyday."
Krohn said he doesn't regret the move, and may even do it again if the right situation presents itself.
"It was a good feeling all around. It was almost a tear-jerker," he said. "I'm going to help them keep it going for as many years as I can."
As the May Pay it Forward Person of the Month, Krohn will be receiving a $500 prize.
Know someone who should be featured next month? Nominate them here.
Meet Brian Williams, our April Pay it Forward Person of the Month.