Today, April 26, 2018 at 12:00 PM Oakland Police Officer Ira Anderson along with Auto Plus Towing presented a family with a new car. The car was donated by Auto Plus Towing.
Over a year ago, Oakland Police Officer Ira Anderson was flagged down by a resident who asked him to speak with her kids regarding them running out into the street when playing.
Over the next few months, Officer Anderson would stop by and check in with the family. The family became homeless and moved into a camper. Officer Anderson would encourage the kids to keep up with the grades and they did. They all made the honor roll with solid report cards. In exchange for the kids hard work, he would take them fishing, to the beach, and out to eat on his off time and over several weekends. They had never seen a beach before and were thoroughly amazed with what they saw.
One day, the family vehicle was parked when someone crashed into it. The driver fled and the family was left with a non-functioning vehicle. Officer Anderson became aware of this and felt bad as he heard the parents were struggling to get the kids to school. Officer Anderson decided he would buy the family a vehicle.
Officer Anderson went to a tow yard and found a vehicle he thought was perfect. He asked the tow yard employee if he could buy the vehicle. The employee introduced him to the tow yard owner. The owner agreed to sell him the car and asked why he needed it. Officer Anderson explained and the owner agreed to just give the car to him for the family. The owner also agreed to clean up the car, make it street legal, pay registration fees and put a bow on it for the family. Both grown men broke down in tears celebrating this small win for that family.