In Greensburg

Matt Deighton’s grandpa bought a 1951 Ford pickup from Ralph Baird Motors in Kinsley back in 1952. He sold it back to Baird, who was a co-pilot with actor Jimmy Stewart in World War II, in 1979.

Matt, volunteer coordinator with the South Central Kansas Tornado Recovery Organization, tried to buy the pickup from Baird, who had since moved his dealership to Larned, but it ended up with a Larned man. Matt’s sister later saw the old pickup in Larned, took a photo and brought it to Matt and their dad, who was ill with cancer.

Matt’s dad bought the Ford pickup for $2,500 a couple of years ago. He gave it to Matt for caring for him while he was dying of cancer.

After the tornado, which the pickup survived, Matt had some signs painted for the sides to solicit contributions to help rebuild Greensburg. He had in mind primarily the snowbirds who pass through Greensburg on U.S. 54 to and from their Southern destinations. He said they were constantly asking him how they could help.

Matt put the old pickup with signs attached on display near the highway in November, December and January to catch the snowbirds. He brought it out again for spring break. It worked. So far, more than $17,000 has been contributed to the Neighbor to Neighbor Fund at Greensburg State Bank.

The pickup is sitting in Davis Park on the north side of the highway. Last week, when weather forecasters predicted a big hailstorm, Matt rushed to move the pickup inside. In his haste, he lost the key to the ignition in a big mud puddle.

He still hasn’t found the key. He had to special-order a new ignition, which just arrived. By the way, the hailstorm never materialized.

To contribute to the Neighbor to Neighbor Fund, you can go to www.neighbor-to-neighbor.net.