Ministerial Association hopes to help east pain at the pump

The Red Willow County Minsterial Association looks to help area residents fight their rising pain at the gas pump by providing a special gas discount this Saturday at Kugler's West B Street location.

The event, starting at 8 in the morning, and ending at 5 p.m., will feature a 10-cent-a-gallon price break on gasoline and diesel fuel, as well as full service, provided by local pastors.

Rev. Jeff Thurman, pastor of McCook's United Meth-odist Church, called the activity "an opportunity to get out into the community."

The discount is going to be available to every privately owned vehicle that pulls up to the pumps, and Thurman added that he and his fellow clergymen will be out in three-person teams to fill up gas tanks "with rags in our back pockets, and Windex and paper towels to clean windows."

Along with the financial assistance and physical labors, the pastors will also offer their spiritual services to those who will welcome them. Thurman said he and his associates are not only looking forward to seeing their own church members, but also to greeting those who may not be among their congregations.

There will be a limit of 15 to 17 gallons per customer, the minister advised, and payments will have to be completed with the cashier inside the station.

The Ministerial Association is underwriting the discount, Thurman said, so the price at the pump will be adjusted to reflect the reduction.

Thurman said that the pastors intend to do this discount program again, but the date is yet to be determined. They chose Kugler's station for this first go-round in order to perfect the system, but Thurman added that the association will hold the next one at Blake's Sinclair on East B Street.