About Denver7CommunityDenver7 | Gives

Actions

Family who had trailer stolen 'overwhelmed' by response from Denver7 viewers

Posted
and last updated

Editor's note: Contact7 seeks out audience tips and feedback to help people in need, resolve problems and hold the powerful accountable. If you know of a community need our call center could address, or have a story idea for our investigative team to pursue, please email us at contact7@thedenverchannel.com or call (720) 462-7777. Find more Contact7 stories here.

LAKEWOOD, Colo. -- Christmas came early for Larry "Stan" Stanley and his daughter Kathy, and it was all thanks to Denver7 viewers like you, who stepped up to help in a big way after we told you their story Tuesday.

Kathy Stanley started a company — Joy's Kitchen — to help feed hungry families in the metro. On Monday, someone stole her food trailer with several thousand dollars worth of her father's tools inside.

Three days later, the family walked into Contractor's Supply Inc. in Lakewood, and met two guardian angels.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Chris," said Chris Zobolas.

Chris and Shelly Zobolas own Contractor's Supply. Shelly had seen our Contact7 story Tuesday night, and woke up her husband to tell him about it.

"We figured a man without tools is like a boat without a motor, and we wanted to help," said Chris Zobolas.

"Thank you. Thank you. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate it. You're wonderful," Stan said.

The Zobolas family donated $3,000 worth of tools — including an electric drill, and saw.

"He's so overwhelmed, but it's so beautiful to see him have what he can work with back," said Kathy.

Earlier in the day, Kathy had received more incredible news. A Denver7 viewer — who wants to remain anonymous — called her.

"He said that he had seen the story on Channel 7 and he would like to help," said Kathy.

The man said he had found a $5,000 trailer, and wanted to give it to her.

"He sent me the link to one he had found and said, 'Is this adequate? I'd like to get this for you. It's bought and paid for,'" said Kathy.

Kathy says the new trailer is bigger and more spacious than the old one.

"Has this re-inforced your faith in man?" asked Denver7's Thomas Mustin. "Absolutely," said Kathy. "I love people so much. Absolutely."

And as Stan drove away, loaded down with his new tools, his daughter says they'll be forever grateful to the generous viewers who stepped up to the plate, to help out a family of strangers.

"Thank you guys so much for getting this out there. It's amazing. We're really grateful. Denver7 is my favorite channel. I can absolutely say that."

Contact7 also wanst to give special thanks to Liz Wolfson with Clancy Systems, who donated a new security boot for the trailer. The anonymous donor who paid for the new trailer gave us a statement saying, "I believe the Stanley's are doing God's work and I want it to continue."


Denver7 has created an easy way for people to help others in our community. We have featured the stories of people who need help and now you help them with a cash donation through Contact7 Gives. One hundred percent of contributions to the fund will be used to help people in our local community.