The Campbell Reporter

Community

Campbell community opens its heart, shows family generosity

By Alicia Upano

When Campbell community members rallied to help war veteran Warren Hardy and his family, they hoped a few donations would help carry the family until Warren's disability benefits kicked in.

What happened after The Campbell Reporter and various other media outlets ran the family's story was completely overwhelming.

Hundreds of letters and phone calls were received offering money, gift certificates and baby items for the family's newborn triplets and toys for their 3-year-old daughter Autumn.

Campbell Police Capt. Dave Dehaan was handling the mail and calls but enlisted the help of Debbie Bruton, a local mother who volunteered to help.

"It was overwhelming. I wasn't able to keep up," Dehaan said.

To date, the Hardys have received more than $60,000 in cash donations. Most of the funds have been individual donations from people in Santa Clara County. The largest gift was $10,000, and one Campbell woman gave the Hardys $5,000 and a car. People also donated diapers, formula, toys and a triple stroller. Other donors are paying the Hardys' rent, and Campbell's Action Day Primary Plus provided Autumn with a scholarship to cover her preschool tuition for a year.

"We feel like we've been totally taken care of," said Gina Hardy, Warren's wife. "It's far beyond anything we expected."

Warren came to Silicon Valley from England in 1996 and fell in love with the United States and Gina, whom he married in 1998. The couple enlisted in the U.S. Army only months after the 9-11 terrorist attacks. They were stationed at a military base in Germany, where Autumn was born. During this time, Warren became a naturalized U.S. citizen. He was deployed to Iraq in 2004.

While in Tikrit, his tank hit an anti-tank mine. The blast left Warren with spinal cord and vertebrae damage, and he was later diagnosed with concussive traumatic brain injury and post traumatic stress disorder. The combination of mental and physical disabilities prevents Warren from working.

Many of the donors included men and women who have served in the military, fought in World War II, the Korean War or the Vietnam War, according to Dehaan.

Dehaan, Campbell Mayor Dan Furtado and U.S. Navy combat veteran and Campbell police chaplain Dave Walker have been working since late November to help the family. When the men first met the Campbell couple in late 2006, the couple was living on savings.

Warren's story, in the Dec. 13 issue of The Reporter, resonated with Mary Jane Oliver, who runs human resources for Greater Bay Mechanical's construction department. After the terrorist attacks, Oliver's husband also had the urge to enlist in the military and defend the country, she said.

"[Warren] did something that all of us thought about, but never did," Oliver said. "So we all wanted to give back."

It was the first time the 20-person office on Dillon Avenue came together for a common cause over the holidays. Greater Bay Mechanical raised $1,500. The employees brought in presents, gift certificates, diapers and IOUs for child care.

Employee Dave Nelson, who runs the plumbing department, and his wife, Kirin, gave the Hardys one of their children's former cradles and filled it with presents.

Greater Bay Mechanical employees Oliver and Stephanie Strickland also faxed other businesses, urging them to donate to the Hardys.

"We were touched by them," Oliver said. "That's the thing about life: You can't take it with you. You got to give it while you're here."

The staff would like to meet the Hardys one day to say thanks for their sacrifices. They already have an Easter basket planned for the family.

Likewise, Laurie Kehl, who lives on Rincon Avenue, felt compelled to help.

"How could you not be touched by looking at those little triplets?" Kehl said. "I just want to reach out there and hold them."

Kehl is an account manager for New Connections Marketing, a natural food broker for brands such as Newman's Own and Seventh Generation. Kehl, like Greater Bay Mechanical, tapped companies to donate goods. Seventh Generation donated 10 cases of diapers, two cases of diaper wipes and five cases of organic baby food. Kehl also created a gift basket for Autumn.

Mark Wagenhals of B&J Auto in Campbell read about the Hardys and offered to fix their van. He wasn't looking for recognition, he said, and was hoping to donate anonymously.

"I wasn't gong to tell anyone here," Wagenhals said. "I was just going to let them come in as a regular customer and then rip up the invoice."

For Gina Hardy, all these gifts have eased the family's stress. Most of all, the financial donations have put the family back on track to purchase a home. They had meant to use their savings, which they were close to exhausting, as a down payment on a home. The family would like to relocate to Oregon, where the homes are more affordable.

"I didn't know there's so much goodness out there," Warren said. "Our hearts go out to those who've helped. I'm now able to give my children a great gift, which is a stable home, and they'll have a yard."

To donate to the Hardy family, send checks to Warren Hardy Family Fund, P.O. Box 1541, Campbell, CA 95009-1541, or call 408.866.2173.