Phoenix woman ‘back in business’ thanks to ‘On Your Side’ viewers

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — With the help of Arizona’s Family On Your Side and some very generous viewers, Carol Parsons’ business called Blue Willo Catering is back up to running at full speed.

“I just, I can’t believe it. I can’t believe that this happened. It’s been wonderful,” Carol Parsons told On Your Side.

In a previous On Your Side report, Carol Parsons explained how one of her two walk-in coolers had broken down, causing her catering business that prepares 1,400 meals a day for two dozen Valley schools to suffer.

For example, with only one refrigeration unit operating, Parsons’ company had a hard time keeping all of her school breakfasts and lunches cold before preparing and delivering them to students.

“There are children that receive our meals that honestly, this is the only meals that they’re getting in a day. That’s really sad. I mean, that’s why we do what we do, because these kids need us,” said Parsons.

Parsons says her walk-in unit broke because the fake contractor she initially paid more than $5,000 to fix it didn’t know what he was doing, causing more damage and contributing to it breaking down again.

Unable to pay another $5,000 to a reputable contractor, Parsons turned to On Your Side for help and we aired a news report.

“If you know of a refrigeration company that can help out, please let me know,” On Your Side’s Gary Harper told viewers in the story.

John Herman was watching On Your Side.

“Giving back in this world is the single best thing anyone could do and it doesn’t even have to be big,” he told us.

Herman owns a licensed and reputable company called Diamondback Air.

After hearing about Parsons and how she was struggling, Herman sent his repair techs out to the catering company and fixed everything.

Diamondback Air got all the parts at cost and then donated their time and labor.

What should have been a $6,000 bill wound up costing only $2,162 because Diamondback Air stepped up with their generosity.

“I just wanted to move forward and make it happen and get her system up and running again so that she could continue to take care of the kiddos,” Herman said.

And get this, an anonymous viewer who only wants to be known as a “retired licensed concrete contractor” wound up paying the entire $2,167.42 bill meaning Parsons is back in business and is out of pocket nothing because of these good Samaritans.

“I am so thrilled that I contacted On Your Side. This never would have happened if I hadn’t done this. It just never would have happened,” Parsons said.

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