Our son was on his way home for Thanksgiving Tuesday evening from Northwest Community College when his car broke down on I-55 near the Batesville exit.

 We live in Petal, just outside of Hattiesburg. It’s a 5-hour drive for us to get to him with the weather conditions the way they were.

A friend of ours called ahead to the police station while we were on the road and asked if someone could please pick him up and take him somewhere warm and safe until we got there.
As you know last Tuesday night was very cold and we were also worried about his safety sitting along the side of the road.

Within 30 minutes an officer showed up and brought him to  Huddle House where we picked him up close to midnight.

 My wife and I did not get a chance to meet and thank the officer in person. My son says the he was very nice to him and seemed sincerely concerned for his well being.

We also want to thank the ladies that were working at Huddle House that night. They were very kind to him and since he had just spent all the money he had filling his car with gas for the trip, one of the ladies bought him a drink out of her own pocket.

Also, a family that had been eating there gave the ladies $10 and told them to get him something to eat. Again, we would like to send a big thank you out to them also.

Your town showed the hospitality and kindness to a total stranger. That is what the holiday season is all about.

Thank you so much, Batesville, MS.

Bill & Chandra Doughty
Petal, MS