Overwhelmed by kindness.(THE GOODNESS OF AMERICA)(Jeff Bodenschatz)

When Jeff Bodenschatz was diagnosed with cancer five years ago, the Lake Township, Ohio, resident was determined to live as normal a life as possible. Mr. Bodenschatz, who is married and the father of three boys, continued his job with an environmental firm in Richfield, Ohio, and took his mind off his chemotherapy by staying involved in several things.

"I'm always looking forward to distractions from the treatments and all of the doctor's visits that I have to do to maintain my health," Bodenschatz told the Akron Beacon Journal. "The car and the kids' sporting events provide pleasant distrac tions from my health issues."

The car to which Jeff referred is a 1969 AMC Javelin that he bought shortly after learning he had cancer, with the intent of restoring it. However, his chemotherapy took its toll in both time and energy. Jeff's ability to continue the project waned.

"Jeff was getting weaker and couldn't spend as much time on the car as he wanted and I think he was getting discouraged that he would never finish it or drive it," Donna Nickel, a friend of the Bodenschatz family, told the newspaper.

Donna launched something she called "Operation Javelin" to attract people to help her friend finish his project. She used e-mail and passed out fliers advertising the project in store parking lots, athletic fields, and shopping centers. Once word spread throughout the community, volunteers--including high-school students and mechanics--started offering their time and money.