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FEDERAL HEIGHTS, Colo. -- A young mother risked her life to save another. Now, she's thanking Denver7 for giving her life back.
Last week, we told you about a hero from April's deadly I-70 crash who had fallen on some hard times. Meleia Harsch lost her car in the crash and soon after, the mother-of-three lost her job. Pregnant, and desperate to pay her bills, she called Contact7.
After we aired her story, the response has been overwhelming.
HOW TO HELP: To give to the Contact7 Gives Fund and to the Bennet family, click here.
Harsch couldn't help wiping away tears of gratitude when workers from BJ's Towing arrived at her Federal Heights home.
"I cannot even express how wonderful the feeling is right now," Harsch told Contact7.
In April, the mother-of-three was honored as a hero for pulling a woman out of a car during the fiery and deadly crash on I-70 in Lakewood.
The crash seriously damaged her Jeep and because of insurance issues, she couldn't get the car fixed. That led to her losing her job at Walmart and having to quit school, where she had been studying to be a paramedic.
"I was feeling sick to my stomach," she said.
Last week, five months pregnant, with bills piling up, and nowhere to turn, Meleia called Contact7. Body shop owner BJ Penrod saw our story and stepped in to help.
"This story in particular hit us hard because it's something we can help her with. I just thought it was the right thing to do," said Penrod.
Penrod will fix the car free of charge. Another viewer is donating a crib, bassinet, blankets and sheets for Harsch's soon-to-be newborn son.
"To have Denver7 jump in to help and to have Denver7 viewers and the community watching Denver7 and going, 'Yeah, we got you girl. We're here. We got you. It's amazing," saids Harsch.
With school back in session, Contact7 Gives is also helping fund new clothes for Harsch's three children.
"I was trying to find clothes for my son this morning, and I was like, 'that doesn't fit, that doesn't fit, that doesn't fit," said Harsch.
She says the unexpected helping hand from generous Coloradans has given her back her confidence .
"All of you have done an amazing job of making me feel I'm not a bad person for asking for help," said Harsch.
Now, this proud mother says after her baby is born, she can't wait to get back to work, and pay it forward.
"Denve7 viewers are amazing. Instead of looking at somebody and going, 'It's your fault, too bad,' you actually jump in to help, and it's an amazing feeling."
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.
