Helping Where You Can: Free Chickasha Oil Changes To Those In Need

Corbitt and Barbara Richards have owned Richards Auto Doctor in Chickasha for less than a year. As social life and the economy shut down around them due to COVID-19, the two realized they needed to give back to the community that had just welcomed their small auto shop.

“In the beginning, it wasn't really concerning to us until we actually started seeing people getting sick in our community,” Corbitt said.

“A lot of people in this community are nurses and emergency personnel,” Barbara said. “They work at Grady Memorial Hospital, at the nursing centers, at the fire department the police station.”

As many Oklahoman’s have done, Corbitt and Barbara looked at what they had around them and decided to use it to make a difference.

“We took some of our own funds and put that towards offering free oil changes to the frontline health care workers, military, anybody in the emergency personnel and anyone that their jobs have been affected by the COVID-19,” Barbara said.

“Period,” Corbitt added. “No questions asked.”

They said many people have taken them up on the offer, but they are hoping even more stop in for a quick oil change.

“I couldn't give away thousands and thousands of dollars to people,” Corbitt said. “But, I could give a little something back, and these days oil changes aren't inexpensive by any means but it is something that everybody needs for their vehicles.”

They even offer a free pick-up and delivery service.

“In a time of need, that's just one thing off of their plate that they don't have to worry about paying for,” Barbara said.

Like all of us, the Richards are looking forward to the day this is all behind us. But in the meantime, they’ll be at the shop. Ready to help a neighbor in need.

“It just makes a huge difference when you forget about what has happened in the past or what is going to come forth in the future and you just live day by day and you worry about your neighbor, you just help each other out,” Barbara said.