Real Change News | Vendor of the Week

April 22, 2009
Vol: 16 No: 20

Vendor of the Week

Vendor of the Week - Willie Jones

by: Alex Becker , Real Change Intern & Contributing Writer

Photo by: Alex Becker , Real Change Intern & Contributing Writer

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If you’ve been downtown near Third and Columbia, or driven past the car wash at Denny and Aurora, you’ve probably seen him. He’s the guy who throws his papers in the air.

Willie Jones is one of Real Change’s top-selling vendors. And it’s no surprise; he starts his day at 6:30 in the morning, and ends at 6 at night. Day in and day out, rain or shine, he’s out there selling. He rarely misses a day of work.

“It keeps me clean and sober,” Willie says with pride. After all, he has plenty to be proud of. He’s stayed clean and sober for 14 months, has his own apartment, and has made a lot of new friends.

“This is my social outlet,” he tells me. “I have a lot of great people who I talk to.”

Back in the ’80s, Willie had his own taxicab business — Custom Taxi, and drove a yellow and gray-top. The days were long, but business was pretty good. Then, one fateful evening, Willie was stabbed four times in an attempted robbery. The hunting knife punctured his lungs and pancreas. It’s a miracle he survived. “I couldn’t work for three months,” Willie says, pausing for a moment to reflect. “But that’s history, you know, you can’t live in the past.”

Two years ago, after a stretch of addiction and homelessness, Willie found Real Change. “The first time I sold papers I wasn’t really good at it,” Willie says. But he’s a quick learner. Since he’s been clean and sober, Willie has sold over a thousand papers each month.

What does he do when he’s not selling Real Change? Watch movies, of course. Action, martial arts, suspense, thrillers, you name it: he’s got ‘em all. In fact, Willie has thousands of VHS and DVD videos; collecting them is his hobby. “I watch one movie a night before going to sleep, and that’s another day I didn’t relapse.”

To his customers and friends, he says, “Thank you for talking to me and caring. I really appreciate your support.”

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Comments

Willie, you are inspiring and you have enriched me with your friendship.

DC | submitted on 04/23/2009, 11:18am

I’ve never even met Willie but I’m inspired by his enthusiasm and commitment to staying clean.

RR | submitted on 04/23/2009, 7:53pm

Ya Willie you’re right. There are people out there who care and you know I’m one of ‘em. I hope you consider me a friend as I do you. See you Thursday. DS

Dennis Schroeder | submitted on 04/27/2009, 7:39pm

I didn’t know what Real Change was about, until I saw Willie tossing papers in the air from his wheelchair, on 3rd and Columbia. I’m a Metro Driver on the 2 Express and I pass Willie three times a day, five days a week; and I absolutely adore him.
I wanted to buy Real Change from Willie but he gets through work before I’m finished, so I’ve had to get my paper from other vendors. Not that I’m complaining, it’s just that Willie was the one that got me wondering, and now I’m hooked.
I’m like a junkie needing a fix. It’s the only paper I think is worth reading. It’s funny- Dr. Wes, he’s a riot; Rev. Lang, cute; Sarah, Cydney, Timothy, all thought provoking. But it’s more than that, they’ve got me giving a shit! They’ve got me wanting to help!
Real Change has restored my hope in humanity, people like Willie (who waves to me and my bus load of strangers) gives me hope, and I desperately want to be apart of that.

Sincerely,
Venus Kapuaala

Venus Kapuaala | submitted on 04/29/2009, 9:31pm

My stepdad told me about Willie, and I was so touched I had tears in my eyes. I wish there were more people like Willie in the world, and I wish more people took the time to learn about these wonderful, honest individuals. Willie could have made a lot of excuses for being an addict and taken that route out of life, but even with all the curveballs thrown his way he has really made something of his life. My stepdad brings him bags of movies that we were planning on selling on Ebay everyday to work, and the gratitude Willie expresses is so honest. God Bless him.

Molly | submitted on 05/01/2009, 10:13am

because of willie my mom has really been invovled in the world today, and im supper greatful. ive never met him, nor saw, nor did i even hear about real change, so im going in blind when i say i fully support anything willie is invovled in just because of the lives hes changed.

sincerely
miss. 15

viviann kapuaala | submitted on 05/29/2009, 10:55am

I bought Real Change from numerous vendors before. While walking to the bus on the way to work, or shopping, I’d see a vendor up ahead and begin searching for a dollar.

Then one day, I noticed this guy with a big wide smile, and friendly wave as he hoisted his papers for all to see. His whole manner was welcoming and inviting.

So now, the morning isn’t complete until I see Willie at the Denny and Aurora exit, grinning big and waving to everyone!

Stay Stong Man!

Dora | submitted on 09/17/2009, 9:03pm

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