Unexpected Help
The system of dispatch and pickup stations worked well but
it was not perfect. Drivers and passengers were hard to deal
with, cars broke down, and when everything was going well, there
were not enough cars to carry everyone. On December 5, 1955, many
people began walking and kept walking through winter and spring.
Elderly people with hardships still walked with pride.
Whites came unexpectedly to help. They gave blacks that they knew
a ride and even those they didn't know. Help came from
outside of Montgomery also. Churches and different
organizations donated twelve brand-new station wagons
to black churches envolved in the movement. The transportation
committee also had to have financial aid. They
took up collections at meetings but that wasn't enough to
cover all their expenses. The MIA (Montgomery Improvement Association)
raised money. Contributions came from many sources. Money came in dollar
bills and in checks as large as five thousand dollars.
The MIA raised close to a quarter of a million dollars.
Money and support helped with the movement's success but the the black community
really held the movement together.
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