12-year-old enjoys pit stop from Danville group

By Denice Thibodeau

Published: August 9, 2008

Charlie Parker, 12, of Danville, likes the same things most kids his age like: Rug Rats cartoons, the Wiggles, music — especially country singer Trace Adkins — and car races.

He hasn’t had all the opportunities to enjoy all the things most kids his age have, because Charlie has cerebral palsy. But lately, he’s had a couple of opportunities to wear a few unusual hats.

Friday, God’s Pit Crew founder Randy Johnson and his family stopped by Charlie’s house. They had heard from a friend at church about Charlie’s love of car races, and brought their racecar over to give him a ride.

Charlie’s mother, Paula Parker, climbed in the car and Charlie was handed in to her. Then Johnson drove the car through the neighborhood, the engine rumbling so loudly you could hear it blocks away.

“He (Charlie) hollered out like he was laughing; that made it worth it to me,” Johnson said.

Paula agreed, adding that Charlie was so excited he was bouncing in the car.

“He loved it!” Paula said.

Then Johnson gave Charlie’s little sister, Robin, who will be 5 on Monday, a ride through the neighborhood as well.

The car isn’t really part of God’s Pit Crew’s fleet, Johnson said, though the group has found a use for it over the years.

“We’ve used it for years for what we call the Pit Stop Program,” Johnson said.

The program taught children and youth what pit crews do, and how important every member of a team is.

“We developed the program to try and build self esteem and to show them everyone’s important on a team,” Johnson said. “God has a plan for everybody’s life.”

The program hasn’t been as active as it used to be, Johnson said, because God’s Pit Crew has responded to 15 major disasters since Hurricane Katrina struck in August 2005. They also distribute about 50,000 pounds of food a week throughout Southside, Johnson said.

Johnson’s son, Jarrett, gave Charlie a helmet, which Charlie will display with the hat Trace Adkins gave him at the end of his July 26 concert at Carrington Pavilion.

Paula said Charlie has his own way of communicating with his family, and they all understand him well.

“He puts a smile on everybody’s face who comes in contact with him,” grandfather Paul Parker said. “Charlie is truly a blessing.”

Contact Denice Thibodeau at or (434) 791-7985.