Gackle family getting assistance to return to N.D.

A Gackle family will soon be back on the road home after the assistance of a television station and some good Samaritans in Moline, Ill. Michelle Weismore and her two children were stranded in the Quad City area on Monday.

“They’d been taking care of a sick relative in Jacksonville, Fla., since January,” said John David, reporter for WQAD-TV. “Their van broke down a few times on the way back but they finally ended up completely broke down in the Walmart parking lot Monday afternoon.”

While there the family and its three dogs attracted the attention of some good Samaritans who arranged for a motel for the family. The story also caught the attention of WQAD-TV which broadcast an appeal for help.

“We actually had a number of mechanics who volunteered to fix the van,” David said. “But a local car dealer made arrangements first and towed it in. When they looked at it they found the work would cost more than the van was worth so the car dealer donated a 1999 Buick LeSabre.”

Weismore was cited as needing to get back to Gackle because jobs were waiting and rent was due in a video segment of the WQAD-TV news which also put out a call for financial aid to go along with the vehicular assistance.

David said he anticipated the family would be on the road to Gackle in the next days. The current challenge is fitting a van full of possessions in a car.

Weismore had moved to Gackle from Florida in the fall of 2009. David said she works as a freelance home health care provider.

Sun reporter Keith Norman can be reached at (701) 952-8452 or by e-mail at knorman@jamestownsun.com

Tags: north dakota, news, national, weismore, gackle