Pocket Life
By Corky Mau
October 2020
Life Savers
Delivery team for seniors has perfect timing
Hoa Tran, who drives for ACC Rides in the Pocket area, was in the right place at the right time. He was helping another driver from Meals on Wheels make a delivery when something didn’t feel right. They rang the doorbell several times. No answer. They walked around the yard. Looking through a window, Tran saw a man lying on the floor, banging his cane to get attention. Tran called 911.
“Due to his keen eyes and ears, that man was found alive,” says Michelle Bustamante, program operations manager for the meals program. “Hoa is a life saver in the true sense of the word.”
Virginia Wieneke, manager for ACC Rides, adds, “Our program staff and volunteers are invaluable to the community. In 2003, we started with one staff and six volunteers. Now there are 17 staff and 80 volunteers. ACC Rides serves 13 ZIP codes in the greater Sacramento area.”
Due to the pandemic, ACC lost a majority of the volunteers who transported seniors to medical appointments and delivered meals to homebound residents. Now staff from these programs work as a team to deliver three weeks of meals to clients, making between 40 and 70 deliveries a day. As luck would have it, the client who needed help had a delivery scheduled when Tran and George Spatta showed up.
“I’m just happy that we were delivering meals that day,” Tran says. “We waited outside the home until emergency personnel arrived. Just doing my job.”
TEEN ENTREPRENEUR
It’s exciting to meet young entrepreneurs like Tyree Jackson, now in his junior year at the School of Engineering and Sciences. In August, he opened Ty’s Car Wash and travels to customers’ homes to wash their vehicles.
Business costs have been relatively low. This is good since Jackson is saving up to start a bigger business after high school. He wants to launch his own clothing brand featuring his artwork. He plans to study business and art in college.
On school days, Jackson is open in the afternoon and weekends. He’s won rave reviews. “Hands down the most reliable, polite guy to wash your car without having to leave your home,” Kevin Standfield says. “He arrived exactly on time and did a fantastic job. I’m booking Ty every other week, same day and time indefinitely.”
Right now, Jackson offers an exterior car wash, including rims and tires. He charges $8 for cars and $10 for trucks and SUVs. Prices are higher for interiors.
“Like other customers, I paid him $25 instead of his asking price,” Shannon Lewis says.
“Tyree was very conscientious and did a great job cleaning my car. I love seeing young people doing positive things.”
For an appointment, call or text “car wash” to Jackson at (916) 606-2689 or email him at jacksontyree00@gmail.com. Customers provide water and hose.
WALK FOR MUSTARD SEED
A 5K walk to collect school supplies for Mustard Seed School takes place Saturday, Oct. 10. Registration is $5 per person with no charge for participants who donate supplies. A list of suggested items can be found at infinite-giving.com/about-us.
Mustard Seed School was founded in 1989 to help meet the educational needs of children experiencing homelessness. The school serves children ages 3 to 15. A goal of the program is to help young people transition into public schools. In response to the pandemic, children are screened daily and small-group learning takes place outdoors.
“All of our children are missing stability and certainty now. We appreciate your attention, concern and support,” says program director Casey Knittel.
Walkers should meet at Dutra Park at 6925 Steamboat Way. Donations can be dropped off between 8 a.m. and noon. The walk starts at 9 a.m. The route will traverse the Pocket Canal Parkway. For information, contact Monique Glass-Hollowell at infinitegiving916@gmail.com.
CLASSIC CAR SHOW ON TAP
Have a passion for old cars? Classics will be on display from 5 to 8 p.m. for three Fridays, Oct. 2, 16 and 30, outside Device Brewery at the Promenade Shopping Center on Rush River Drive.
Corky Mau can be reached at corky.sue50@gmail.com. Submissions are due six weeks prior to the publication month. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @insidesacramento.
