Gag Gift is a Blessing for Salem Mom and Her Baby (VIDEO)

A Salem mom flips when she realizes the event, and a restored car, are for her.

Becky Heuberger had no idea the entire day was dedicated to her Photos by: Tim King

(SALEM) - A hot rod show at Adam’s Ribs Smokehouse in Salem this weekend saw some of the valley’s cleanest rides on hand, but the real reason for the gathering was to give a very special person a gift. Several recent car shows have been held to raise money for Becky Heuberger, who works at Adam’s Ribs.

Her baby Joshua was born with severe health challenges and insurance just doesn’t cover all of it. In fact, it is many thousands short of paying all of the expenses.

Sunday, Becky had been called in early to work; she was told they were putting on a special event for a guy named Mike.

The catered party got underway and then Becky was called up to the microphone and asked to give an update on her baby. This didn’t tip her off, as the whole crowd there has been supportive all along.

Several Salem businesses have gotten together in recent months and helped raise money to offset Joshua's tremendous medical costs by providing proceeds from car shows, and now they have quietly and effectively fixed up a car for Becky.

It’s something she's needed to get her baby to several appointments around the state each week. They had fun though, and kept her in the dark about the true nature of the gathering as long as they could.

Becky and Joshua's new ride, a really clean Lincoln Town Car

The big secret was a restored Lincoln Town car; courtesy of: B.C.Towing and AAA, It was restored by AJ’s Auto Repair, Maaco Collision Repair and Auto Painting, Pacific NW Transmissions in Woodburn, and the sound system came from Audio Source. It is a nice looking, running and sounding car that in spite of its size, will still be good for well over 20 miles per gallon and several years thatnks to all the recent upgrades.

Other fundraisers like the recent Night of Fire car show in Salem helped Joshua and Becky. But as this event began, and as the first couple of hours passed, Becky had no idea it was really for her, or that the special guest named Mike was actually made up.

But everybody else knew, and it seems that they all deserve credit for not blowing their own cover.

And then the jig was up, as the shiny Lincoln ambled up the drive at Adam’s Ribs.

Transportation will no longer be a struggle for this Salem mom.

Mike Adams is known for taking care of his employees and treating them like family. With the help of his friends in the Salem auto industry, Mike brought Becky together with something that will allow she and baby Joshua to arrive on time and in style.

WATCH THE VIDEO NEWS REPORT BY SALEM-NEWS.COM'S TIM KING Video

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This story was originally published on Salem-News.com August 22nd 2006 at 3:18 AM.