SEBASTIAN – A group of good Samaritans were behind the unusually dramatic drop in gas prices, from $3.38 to $2.88, Saturday morning at the Shark Mart Mobile station in Sebastian.
Pastor Seth Goldsmith, of Coastal Community Church, and about two dozen volunteers spent their Saturday morning sweating and smiling as they transformed the Mobile into a full-service gas station and provided deep discounts for lucky morning customers.
Beginning at 10 a.m. sharp, the church funded $.50 per gallon for the first 2,400 gallons sold to any customer who dropped by.
“Our goal is simply to communicate the unconditional love of God to our Community with no strings attached,” Goldsmith said.
With approximately 15 minutes to go before the official price drop, about a dozen vehicles had already lined up, the drivers looking to be some of the first through the pumps. By noon, the discounted gas was sold out.
Brian Figner had arrived at the Mobile in his van earlier in the morning when volunteers informed him of the buy down that would begin within the half hour.
“My daughter has to go to Rockledge for cheerleading tonight, this is going to help get me there,” Figner said.
The 90-mile round trip, Figner said, was a fatherly duty he found out about the morning of. When he went to fill up his van that the expected would be virtually empty by the time he returned home again, he was thrilled to hear of the unexpected discount.
Ray Ground, of Sebastian, hollered out to volunteers from his vehicle, “This is a wonderful thing you all are doing!”
Ground said he looks forward to the gas buy down every year and spreads the word to his senior citizen friends.
“We all live on a budget,” Ground said. “Every little bit helps.”
Stories of people who just appreciated the helping hand have piled up over the nine years the church has been organizing the annual event, Goldsmith said.
One incident that stood out in Goldsmith’s mind was a person who ran out of gas pulling into the parking lot.
“We pushed him right up to the pump and filled up his car,” Goldsmith said.
The entire event, Goldsmith said, is a well-oiled team effort every year. Volunteers have it down to a science – some direct traffic while others pump gas and scrub windows.
For volunteer Linda Hart, Saturday was the first time she had served at this particular event.
“All this stuff usually has strings attached,” Hart said. “This is a nice break from that. There are no obligations; it’s hard to find that these days.”
Next Saturday, Sept. 13, from 3-6 p.m., the church will sponsor a block party at Riverview Park complete with BBQ pork, hotdogs, assorted snacks bounce houses, a bungee run, carnival games, a D.J., and giveaways. The event is completely free.
