To whom it may concern,
My name is Mike Magers, third generation owner of Smitty’s Service, San Diego’s oldest family-run
automotive repair facility. Ben Hart asked me for a letter of recommendation. I have known Ben since he
was young man.
Merle Smith, my Grandfather and founder of Smitty’s was friends with Ben’s Grandfather. As a young
man Ben struggled with alcohol which put earned him a home on the streets. During this time we was still
honest and hard working. I gave him odd jobs around the shop and my home. Despite his situation I
never worried about leaving him alone with my valuables. About ten years ago he hit rock bottom and
admitted himself to an alcohol and drug rehabilitation center. Over the course of a two year period he
gave up on his old friends and found a new purpose for his life. He seems to have a God-given knack for
helping people on the streets.
I was thrilled when he told me that he had become a case manager for the chronically homeless
population. It seemed like his dream job because I could see that he truly believed in what he was doing.
It was there that he found and raised a wonderful family that is at the center of his world.
I was shocked when he asked to work with me at Smitty’s Service because all that I could offer was a
introductory position doing automotive repair. I was embarrassed at the rate of pay that a position like that
would earn for a person who had come so far and done so much with his life. I knew he would struggle to
feed his family but he seemed undaunted by the set back. He accepted the position and every challenge
that we threw his way. While he was here he challenged everyone to become a better person including
myself. He got most of us watching our weight and started a “100 push-up challenge”. He encouraged me
to re-certify in my expired ASE certifications. There is something inspirational about a person who has
every reason to give up just making a learning experience out of his hardships. He went to Cuyamaca
College at nights and worked at Smitty’s by day. While he was here his skill sets expanded working with
the long time professional Technicians that we have here. While all this was going on he often brought up
issues relating to the plight of the homeless man. It seemed like he had found a permanent home at our
shop. I was planning for Ben to have a lifetime career here at Smitty’s. I was as shocked when he gave
his two week notice at Smitty’s as I was when he left his career as a social worker. I tried to offer him a
raise but the money they were offering at HonTech was overwhelming and his hours were even less. All I
could do was congratulate him. Ben proved that a formal education combined with the school of hard
knocks does eventually pay off.
Ben has been gone for about six months but is still a friend to the guys at the shop. He still has a team on
the Smitty’s Fantasy Football League. Word has it that because of his available time from Hontech he has
been volunteering in Homeless causes. More recently I understand he had been doing pro bono auto
repair for people living out of their vehicles. God bless him. I don’t know where he gets his energy.
Ben is an excellent role model for his children. His work ethic is an inspiration to this old baby boomer
who believes that the harder you work the luckier you get. What we need is more people like Ben who are
willing to attain the skills required to provide valuable services in the world. People with enough ambition
to make the roads safe for those who can provide for themselves and even more for those that cannot.
If you would like to speak in person I am available Monday through Friday at Smitty’s Service.
Mike Magers
Smitty’s Service
Shop- 619-281-7722
TBH Complete Auto Care 