KINGMAN, Ariz. – Fourteen-year-old Donnie Brooks, living in Angel Manor, has been dreaming of owning a suit for a long time. Involved in youth ministry at College Park Church, he has aspirations of one day becoming a pastor. He wanted to start dressing like a youth minister and pastor, but could not afford it. Saturday, his dream came true, thanks to Kingman City Councilman Shawn Savage and his wife Robin.
Savage heard Donnie’s story and knew he had to help. Member and treasurer of Moose Lodge 1704 in Kingman, Savage initially thought he would get the clothes through the lodge because they had donated to Angel Manor before, but he decided to do it on his own.
Although Saturday was Savage’s birthday, it was the only day Donnie’s mother could make it because of her work schedule. Savage didn’t mind at all.
“I’m just happy I can do something nice for someone else on my birthday,” he said.
The Moose Lodge slogan, he said, is, “Do something good for someone each day.”
“When I heard this young man wanted a suit,” Savage said, “I knew I had to do it and not for publicity. I’m a Moose. It’s just the right thing to do.”
The Moose Lodge helps the community out with about $200,000 a year, Savage said, and added, the lodge is always doing good things to help others through various fundraisers. Currently, the Moose Lodge is in a friendly competition with the Elks Club to see who can collect the most food for the Kingman Food Bank, he said. But, Saturday’s primary focus for him and wife Robin, also a member of the Moose Lodge, was making sure this ministry-minded young man was the best-dressed teenager in his youth group.
“Now that you have a suit, we need to get you shoes that match,” Savage said and headed for dress shoes.
When Donnie found a pair he liked in his size, and was walking around to test them for comfort, Savage, knowing he wanted to be a pastor, said to him, “You’re gonna be walking with Jesus in your soles.”
By the door, on the way out, Savage gave Donnie a bit of advice.
“Just remember. Always pass it forward,” Savage said. “No pressure at all. Just keep doing what you want to do in life.”
The Brooks’ provided a thank you card and a birthday card for Savage they had bought on their way to Kohls.
Hugs were exchanged, goodbyes were said, and one very happy young man walked out the door.
Donnie was happy because he could see his life and his mother’s turning around for the good.
When his mother was addicted to drugs, he and she told me many nights were spent sleeping in the Walmart parking lot in Bullhead City, getting up the next day and Donnie peddling his bike to school. Donnie has been at Angel Manor longer than his mother.
“I dropped him off there because I knew it was a safe place for him, but I wasn’t done partying,” Rana Brooks said.
Three weeks later, she returned to Angel Manor, stayed three days and left again.
Finally, a light came on and she went back January 1 this year; she said has been clean and sober since.
Donnie told The Standard he wanted to publicly thank Savage and his wife for having the best time shopping with them and how truly blessed he feels. He repeated over and over and over again, “This is the best day.”
“I love my shoes and my suit. I’ve never had a suit before; this is my first time. I can’t wait until tomorrow. I am excited to wear them.”
