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Going the extra mile: A box full of thank yous and a community full of stories attest to many acts of kindness

Mark Holland is known for his love of cars and helpful ways.
Mark Holland is known for his love of cars and helpful ways.

By Brenna Wiegand

A cardboard box of gratitude is stowed under the counter at Holland Collision Service. The notes, cards and letters started arriving shortly after Mark and Mylisa Holland opened the Silverton business in August 2001.

Whether scribbled on a Post-It note – “I was so at peace knowing my car was in excellent hands;” penned by a young athlete he sponsored, or bearing the letterhead of an organization, the message is the same: “Thank you, Mark.”

“Thanks for being so kind throughout this accident,” says one, “you took matters into your own hands when I needed the moral support so badly.”

“…My sister and I were the two forlorn ladies in the wrecked green RAV4 that you ‘McGuyvered’ back together to get us back to Portland,” wrote Debbe from Houston, Texas. “…you were so kind and calm that it really helped to make everything better for both of us…”

“Your kindness is not common anymore…”

Despite a front-row seat to many of her husband’s deeds, Mylisa Holland never ceases to be amazed. That’s why she decided to conspire to surprise her husband. Just like the letters and notes he receives, this story is another thank you that is unexpected.

“Not long ago, Mark was pretty late coming home,” she said. “He told me he went to deliver a lady’s car. In the process, he noticed that their rabbits and chickens were just crazy and there was no water or food in the cages, so he went to Roth’s and bought carrots and lettuce and fed the animals. I’m like, ‘You what?’”

Another woman got stranded way up in mountainous territory back of Molalla. That was long as her cell service lasted.

“With nothing but the general area to go by, Mark’s tow truck was dispatched and he and Tim Dibala went up into the mountains looking until they found her,” Mylisa said. “He just kind of finds things that need to be done and he just does them. It’s all very behind the scenes.”

There’s the budding mechanic – “Thanks for allowing me to go to your shop and watch you guys paint cars…”

…And the classic car buff.

Gary Wolfard recently retired after 55 years doing business as Gary’s Barber Shop in Silverton. He and his son labored long assembling his ’55 Chevrolet convertible then took it to Mark, who matched the rare Dusk Rose paint and pearlescent trim of the car’s beginnings.

“He finishes things out – that’s what’s neat about him,” Wolfard said. “He doesn’t stop if something needs to be done; he very much takes pride in his work.”

Neither would Bob McGowan trust his classic ’60s Mustangs to just anyone, especially having shared a driveway with the Holland family while Mark was growing up.

“As early as high school he would bring home just wrecked cars and make them look like brand new,” McGowan said. “It didn’t bother me to entrust my cars to Mark and his crew. It’s not unusual for me to go to a car show and have somebody ask me who painted the cars.”

Michelle Kirksey has worked at Holland Collision on and off – and on and off – since Mark bought the business from her father, Franz Jenniches.

“I’ve had a lot of babies – 10 altogether,” she said. “He’s always more than nice to have me back.”

Kirksey said before they met, it was Mark who discovered her brother, who was badly injured when his car rolled several times down an embankment and into the trees.

“I guess he was just on his way hunting,” she said. “He stopped and got him to the hospital; if it weren’t for Mark I don’t know if my brother would have made it.”

Mark and Mylisa share three grown sons: Jason, Greg and Don.

“He’s been the greatest dad we could ask for,” Don said. “I think he’s helped every one of my friends at some point, from giving my brother-in-law a tow after he broke down in Beaverton to ordering small parts for my friends – a tailgate cap or headlights – and helping them with cost.

“He has helped them with rental cars when they didn’t have coverage,” he added. “Ever since he opened the shop, he has been the go-to guy for help with anybody I’ve known.”

Whether “MacGuyvering” a door handle or treating his sons’ soccer team to a Timbers game, perhaps Mark’s biggest impact has been in the lives of young men driving their first cars.

“There are several of the boys, who, even if it’s been 10 years, still stop by to see Mark when they’re in town,” Mylisa said. “Soccer club, Little League, high school soccer, SACA, Silverton Hospital, Ladies’ Night Out… He always helps them if he can, including spray painting presents for the town Christmas tree.”

A third generation Silvertonian, Mark logged out of high school and then worked on a family farm for several years. After meeting Mylisa he got into real estate for a time, but his love had always been with automobiles.

“He can fix anything with an engine and metal,” Mylisa said. “He had an opportunity to manage the shop when it was Acme and he really liked it. Eventually we bought it.

“When we met he had a burgundy Cadillac, a pick-up, a Corvette and a Porsche or something,” Mylisa said. “It was funny because when we decided to get married, he went to a little Toyota pick-up to save money.”

Danika Beard’s father Mark Beard has been friends with Holland since about third grade.

“They’ve got some interesting stories from when they were younger,” she said. “And it has been like having another dad. When I wrecked my car or locked my keys inside, he was always there to help, no matter what. Now I coach soccer for the YMCA and he sponsors us.”

Gail Little-Frassenei met Mark 14 years ago while the two soccer families helped form Silver Falls Soccer Club. On Thanksgiving morning 2007, Frassenei’s oldest son Alex, on his way home from college, was killed in a car crash.

Mark brought the car to his shop and kept it there – as long as the family required.

“A lot of people couldn’t understand why Mark Holland would keep Alex’s car there and he got attacked by a lot of people for his decision, but Mark never defended himself; he never said a word because he was protecting my family,” Gail said. “If there’s ever a standard for young men to look up to, Mark Holland would be one of those men. He puts family and community above making a buck and just quietly does what he feels is right. If more people did that, how easy would life be?”

“Silverton has been a great place to raise our kids and to have a business, and Mark is very grateful he’s had the opportunity to do the things he has for the community,” Mylisa said. “And I get to be married to him.”

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