Generous Community Provides New Truck for Local Man
January 10, 2026
A heartwarming story unfolds in South Bend, Indiana.
In a remarkable display of generosity, a community rallied to provide a new truck for a local man, whose old, worn-out vehicle had gained unexpected fame online.
Colin Crowel and Mo Riles / CBS News
When images of the dilapidated truck began spreading across social media, they caught the attention of Colin Crowel, a local business owner from Carguys Auto Detailing. Moved by the situation, Crowel initiated a GoFundMe campaign on November 30 to aid the truck’s driver, Marcellus “Mo” Riles, in acquiring a reliable vehicle.
The campaign quickly gained momentum, drawing contributions from over 500 donors and amassing more than $22,000 in a month—enough to purchase a new truck for Mo.
This Tuesday, Mo experienced the culmination of this collective effort at Gates Chevrolet in South Bend, where he was presented with a 2019 Chevy Silverado—a newer counterpart of his well-known old truck.
“God blessed me,” Mo expressed upon receiving his new vehicle.
For Crowel, witnessing Mo’s reaction was profoundly fulfilling.
“I’ve got to do a lot of amazing things,” Crowel shared. “I think this is the top moment.”
Crowel’s primary objective was to ensure Mo had access to a dependable form of transportation, particularly in light of Mo’s health issues and ongoing recovery.
“We wanted to make sure that we take the load off his shoulders so he can heal and be comfortable,” Crowel noted. “Now that we have him in a safe vehicle, he can get to his appointments, get to work, go to the grocery store—and know that when he gets back to his vehicle, it’s going to start.”
Additionally, offers from local auto shops have rolled in to assist with the maintenance of Mo’s new truck, ensuring its longevity.
Mo expressed his heartfelt gratitude toward the supportive community.
“I’m so appreciative of this community,” he said. “It’s not about me — it’s about the efforts of a man who saw a stressful situation for another human being.”
