A True Story of a Caring Community in Pocatello, Idaho
In the small town of Pocatello, Idaho, the Video Stop was more than just a video rental store, it was a community staple for over 30 years.
For Christina Cavanaugh, a loyal customer with Down syndrome, it was the heart of her daily routine. Every afternoon, like clockwork, Christina would visit to “rent” her favorite movies, often the same ones, bringing a sense of comfort and joy to her mostly nonverbal world.
Her mother, Tony, explains that while they own many of these films, Christina insists on watching only those rented from the store. It’s not about the movies, it’s about the routine, a vital anchor for Christina’s happiness.
When owner David Craning faced the harsh reality that Video Stop was no longer financially sustainable, closing the store was inevitable. But one thought weighed heavily: how would he break the news to Christina, a customer he’d known since his high school days working at the store?
“I remember her bringing her daughter in for movies, and it’s been that long,” Dave recalls. He even delayed the closure, keeping the store open longer than he should have, just for her.
But Dave’s kindness didn’t stop there. Next door, he owns a convenience store, and he had an idea. He transformed a section into “Christina’s Corner,” complete with shelves and a display of DVDs, carefully arranged to mirror the Video Stop’s familiar setup, with Christina’s favorite movies front and center.
Now, every day around 3:30 p.m., Christina walks in, heads to her corner, picks out a movie, and checks it out herself, even signing her name and “paying” the bill. The routine remains unbroken, and her smile says it all.
Tony, whose life is dedicated to caring for Christina, is overwhelmed by Dave’s gesture. “That somebody would do something so kind for her specifically like that… He wasn’t thinking about anything else except her,” she says, her voice thick with emotion.
“If you love my child, I love you.” For Tony, Pocatello has been the perfect place to raise Christina, a town where people treat her like family. Dave and his team embody that spirit, waiting each day for Christina’s visit, greeting her with warmth and patience.
This small act of kindness, featured by CBS News contributor David Begnaud in his “Beg-Knows America” series, shines a light on the power of community.
In a world often focused on the bottom line, Dave’s dedication to one person’s happiness reminds us that the smallest gestures can have the biggest impact. Christina’s Corner isn’t just a shelf of DVDs, it’s a testament to love, routine, and the beauty of a town that cares.
As Christina leaves each day with her movie in hand, her quiet “thank you” speaks volumes, promising, “I’ll see you tomorrow.” And in Pocatello, tomorrow always brings another chance to show kindness.
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