Carol Lavern of North Olmsted receives a flower and $10 worth of free gas from Church on the Rise intern Robby Bennet Friday afternoon. The church held its second annual Great Gas Giveaway as an outreach to the community.

Church eases pain at pump
By Kevin Kelley
Westlake
Published July 9, 2008

Carol Lavern of North Olmsted got a pleasant surprise when she went to fill up her car’s gas tank Friday afternoon.

She was on her way to another station when she saw a lot of commotion at the Circle K station at Center Ridge and Dover Center roads Friday afternoon.

Cars were lined up to take advantage of Church on the Rise’s second annual Great Gas Giveaway in which church members handed out $10 gas cards for free.

Lavern was happy to get some free gas. But at today’s prices, the $10 gas card only paid for two-and-a-half gallons.

Pastor Ricardo Johnson, who organized the giveaway, said the church sponsored the event as a sign that God cares and provides for his people.

Members of the Westlake church gave thousands of dollars in offerings at services the previous Wednesday and Sunday to pay for the gas cards, Ricardo said. Just over 300 gas cards were handed out, church officials said.

Twenty-two volunteers from the church, dressed in yellow T-shirts with the words “The Great Gas Giveaway / Church on the Rise” gave out the $10 cards and pumped the gas.

“We’re from a local church and we’re trying to give back to the community,” church intern Robby Bennett told a motorist who asked what was going on with the giveaway.

Bennett and the other church volunteers also gave all female drivers a flower donated by The Flower Port.

“A lot of people are really happy about it,” Bennett said about the free gas. “We’re just trying to be a blessing to the community.”

Church volunteers also handed out business cards with the Web site and contact information for Church on the Rise.

Pam Dryfus of Olmsted Falls was at work just down the street from the Circle K when she got a phone call from her daughter telling her about the gas giveaway.

“I needed gas anyhow,” Dryfus told West Life. “I was going to be here, so it works out great. It’s very nice.”

Church on the Rise members approached Circle K about hosting the giveaway, district manager Saemus Sutton said.

“We’re happy to support the church and what they’re trying to do here,” he said.

Sutton credited Westlake Police for making sure the traffic didn’t get too snarled at the intersection.

“It ran a lot smoother than I thought,” Sutton said as the giveaway was drawing to a close.