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FEDERAL HEIGHTS, Colo. -- Last April, Meleiah Harsch pulled a woman from a car after a deadly crash on Interstate 70 in Lakewood. Her car was badly damaged, and she later lost her job. She called Contact7 and viewers stepped up in a big way.
On Wednesday, after a harrowing four months, Harsch saw her Jeep Cherokee for the first time.
"It looks so clean. I love it," she told Contact7.
In April, the mother of three was honored as a hero for pulling a woman out of a car during the deadly crash on I-70 near Colorado Mills Parkway. Her jeep was severely damaged, and Harsch couldn't afford to have it repaired. She ended up losing her job and having to quit school where she was studying to be a paramedic. She also found out she was pregnant.
"It was not a lot of fun, these past couple of months. It was pretty sad," she said.
B.J. Penrod, who owns B.J.'s Auto Theft and Collision in Commerce City, saw our Contact7 story and stepped in to help.
"I was taught well when I was growing up, it's funner (sic) to give than to receive, " said Penrod.
He towed the car to his shop and ffter three weeks and $4,000 worth of repairs — free of charge — he handed Harsch the keys.
"Bad things happen to good people, and if we can help, I can help. What goes around comes around. I'm a firm believer in that," Penrod said.
Harsch says getting her car back will change her life, allowing her to drive to her new job and take her kids to school.
"Actually having my car back now, I can continue on the path I need to go," she said. "I appreciate Denver7 and their viewers and everything they do. You guys are amazing," she said.
And before Harsch drove away to start her new life, she said she'll always be grateful for the kindness of strangers.
"It makes you feel like there's actually good in the world still," she said.
Denver7 viewers have also donated a crib and other baby items to Harsch. She's also getting a $250 King Soopers gift card through the Contact7 Gives Fund.
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 the Contact7 Gives Fund. One hundred percent of contributions to the fund will be used to help people in our local community.
