San Antonio’s ‘Scooby-Doo’ Mystery Machine is dead, needs help for replacement
San Antonio’s beloved “Scooby-Doo” van has died, according to owner Linda Pearson. She needs help replacing it to carry out the mission of bringing books to the children of San Antonio.
Reddit: qweltor
During the coronavirus pandemic, local Air Force veteran Linda Pearson turned her fun Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine van into a mobile free library, hoping to bring books to children across San Antonio. Two years later, she’s accomplished that and more but needs the city’s help as the Mystery Machine is dead.
Pearson, who spray-painted her van like the Mystery Machine for over 12 years, tells MySA that she was able to make her latest van a nonprofit and has partnered with television stations, Bexar County, the city, museums, and small businesses to get the books out to the children.
The Scooby Van is a 501(c)(3) literacy nonprofit whose mission is to bring the community together to ensure every child owns a book since there is a huge need to fill.
Linda Pearson
However, she still pays out of pocket for all the repairs, gas, insurance, and maintenance. In the past two years, Pearson says she has personally put in over $12,000 to maintain the vehicle since it’s an older model. It’s valued at $5,000, she says.
Now, Pearson says her transmission is shot and will not work until she puts another $6,000 into it. Instead of continuing to throw money at the van, Pearson started a GoFundMe with the hopes of raising $21,000 to help pay for a used 2012 Honda Pilot.
In the last two years, Pearson has personally put in over $12,000 to maintain the vehicle since it’s an older model. It’s only valued at $5,000.
Linda Pearson
“We know what needs to be put in place to really bring the community together and put the systems in place,” Pearson says. “It’s just a matter of continuing that mission.”
The Scooby-Doo van represents that reminder of someone’s childhood and hope, just as the one did in the Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! series that ran from 1969 to 1970 on CBS. Pearson believes the Scooby-Doo van can be back on the road in no time by presenting the community with a 5-5-5 challenge.
“Here’s the challenge, just donate $5, it takes less than 5 minutes, and then share with 5 friends and ask them to do the same,” she said.
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