Kids rescued from trash bin get out-of-town help

DAYTON — Vince Blumberg, a 37-year-old businessman from Grand Rapids, Mich., was thumbing through his local paper Tuesday, July 28, when he saw a photo of Ashonti Johnson.

The accompanying text told the tale: On Monday, 23-month-old Ashonti and her 8-month-old brother, Tommie Johnson III, were found by two electricians in a trash bin in Dayton. Police investigations showed that Ashonti’s father, Tommie Johnson Jr., took the children from their mother and put them in the bin Sunday night.

Blumberg’s first call went to Bristol, Tenn., to Sam Brumit, 56, senior pastor at Central Christian Church. The two have been acquainted about 18 months and talk often regarding their shared interest in helping children.

Their conversation was how to help the two otherwise unknown children.

The call resulted in Blumberg driving to Dayton, Brumit flying in and meeting him at the airport. They bought more than $300 worth of necessities for the children, who have been placed in foster care by Montgomery County Children Services.

The act, Children Services officials said, is an example of the giving spirit often displayed by particularly gripping stories about children in distress. In this case, that spirit arrived on a road trip and a boarding pass.

“This story caught me, and I knew I had to do something,” Blumberg said. “That guy who found the kids, when he heard those kids, he didn’t hesitate. He knew he had to help them, and that’s the same feeling we had.”

It’s a feeling shared by more than Blumberg and Brumit. When Brumit posted on his Facebook Web page that he was flying to Dayton to assist the children, he received dozens of comments saying they were inspired to help others in their own communities.

“The community is a lot closer than people realize,” Brumit said.

Ann Stevens, spokeswoman for Children Services, said the organization is always open to donations. Those interested in helping can call (937) 224-KIDS.

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