Some 'Neighborly' surprises brighten families' holidays
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By David Heitz | Tuesday, December 25, 2007 |
Much like the Publisher’s Clearing House “Prize Patrol,” but selecting winners based on need instead of luck, Royal Neighbors of America hit the streets of the Quad-Cities on Thursday and delivered a pair of $5,000 checks.
Driving a white van with a banner bearing the Rock Island-based fraternal life insurance company’s logo strapped to the side, Royal Neighbors employees pulled up to the modest home of single father Billy Thorington of Davenport at about 5 p.m. Thorington’s son, 13-year-old Travis, opened the door wide-eyed as a film crew, a reporter and a slew of people poured inside with balloons, a poinsettia plant and an oversized check.
“I never thought they would knock on my door,” joked Billy Thorington, who had just returned home from his job as a parts-puller at Hickory Grove Auto, Davenport. His mother, aunt and other relatives grinned ear to ear as Thorington, still in his work clothes, stood still in amazement.
Noticeably missing from the event was Thorington’s older son, Cody, who succumbed to muscle cancer just one month ago at the age of 17. The tragic death left a void in the Thorington family as well as numerous medical bills. Bill Thorington said he was on the verge of losing his house before the Royal Neighbors crew, which called themselves the “Nation of Neighbors Gift Patrol,” showed up.
“I know you’ve had quite a sad time in your life and we hope this little gesture will help,” Marketing Executive Judith Tshibangu told Billy Thorington.
Family members said the last several months have been rough on Billy Thorington, who spent most of his waking moments either at work or at the hospital with his late son. Despite it all, he never complained, they said.
Earlier in the day, the group stopped at Skip-A-Long day care center in Moline to surprise Shirley Umporowicz with a $5,000 check as well. A single mother with two adult children and two grandchildren living with her, Umporowicz relies on public transportation to get to her job at Skip-A-Long. A teary-eyed Umporowicz told the Royal Neighbors employees that she would buy a car with the money.
The generosity of Royal Neighbors didn’t stop in the Quad-Cities. The scene was repeated in 12 other states that Royal Neighbors serves. In the Quad-Cities alone, 80 families benefited from the program, although some received less than $5,000. In total, the non-profit women’s organization doled out $250,000. Royal Neighbors members and sales agents, as well as community service organizations, nominated people for the holiday surprise.
Tshibangu said its Nation of Neighbors program perfectly fits with the Royal Neighbors mission. “As a fraternal life insurance company, this is our heritage — neighbors helping neighbors.”
David Heitz can be contacted at (563) 383-2202 or dheitz@qctimes.com. Comment on this story at qctimes.com.
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